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The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) began in 1999 as an informal network of applied conflict prevention and resolution organizations. It was known first as ACRON (Applied Conflict Resolution Organization Network) and later as the AICPR (Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution). The impetus behind the organization was recognition that the field of international conflict resolution was overly competitive, atomized, and ineffectively organized for collaborative work in various regions of the world. The founders of ACRON believed that a strong umbrella organization could help support collaborative, and hence more effective, peacebuilding, as well as provide a strong voice for the field and help members share information and approaches. After four years of informal network development, and with a planning grant from the Hewlett Foundation, the organization was incorporated in 2003 as the Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution. The organization received additional funding from the Hewlett Foundation that enabled it to hire staff, open an office in Washington, DC, and develop programs. The founding coordinating committee members, who later became founding members of the board of directors, were Paula Gutlove (then Chair), Andrea Strimling (then Vice Chair), David Fairman, Hrach Gregorian, Donna Hicks, Robert Ricigliano, and Peter Woodrow. Melanie Greenberg served as Board Chair for two years, and Andrea Strimling served as Board Chair in 2005 to the fall of 2007 when Susan Hackley was elected by the Board. Bill Stuebner served as Executive Director from 2003 until 2005 when Chic Dambach became the President and CEO. The Alliance for Peacebuilding adopted its new name, mission and goals in 2006 to place greater emphasis on the concept of collaborative action to prevent and mitigate violent conflicts. Previously membership in the organization had been limited to US-based organizations, with organizations based in other countries welcome as affiliates. AfP changed its policy in 2005 to allow qualified organizations to join regardless of their geographic base. AfP plays a leadership role in developing and disseminating innovative approaches to peacebuilding, including collaboration between conflict resolution organizations and organizations in the fields of development, relief, human rights, and security. AfP also sponsors annual meetings for its members to share information and ideas and to learn from the experiences of colleagues and other experts. In addition AfP helps sponsor regular forums in Washington, DC; Boston, MA; and Boulder, CO. Thanks to the generous support of Board member Milt Lauenstein, AfP played a leadership role in the creation of and support for the International Peace and Prosperity Project in Guinea-Bissau (IPPP). As carried out by Canadian International Institute for Applied Negotiation (CIIAN), the IPPP is starting its third year as a collaborative action prototype for the prevention of violent conflict. In addition, with support from Mr. Lauenstein, AfP and other organizations are collaborating to establish a Global Crisis Prevention Mechanism to apply collaborative peacebuilding in countries and regions that are known to be vulnerable to violence.
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