BEFORE: Action to Prevent Political Violence
 In 2001, Milt Lauenstein,
a retired corporate executive began to look for the best way to reduce
human suffering caused by violent conflict. Over the next several years
Milt convened meetings among conflict prevention experts, including
representatives from the International Crisis Group, International Alert, Search for Common Ground, the Alliance for Peacebuilding, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars,
the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, the West
Africa Network for Peacebuilding, the Berghof Research Center, the
Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, and swisspeace, to figure out how to best reduce human suffering in war. |
Their conclusion was simple but radical – stop wars before they even start. |
The BEFORE Approach  | A registered voter casts his ballot on
Sunday, June 27th, 2010 during historic Presidential elections in Guinea
(Photo Credit CDI/COM).
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Based on decades of analytical expertise and practical experience,
BEFORE links political early warning signs with a quick, independent,
flexible, catalytic and holistic early preventative response built upon
and focused on partnerships. This is outlined in the BEFORE 10-Step
Approach to Consolidate Peace, which includes using multifaceted
conflict assessments and the input of local, regional and international
experts to develop successful prevention plans and the application of
these principles:
- judicious use of private & public funding
- alignment of international resources with local needs
- support to local leadership
- diverse expertise and international partnerships
- programmatic flexibility that includes strategic grants to local organizations
- bridging local needs and effective action
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