Problem Solving Initiative (PSI)

The Project on Problem-Solving Initiatives (PSI) has carried out a survey of practitioners in the field of interactive conflict resolution in order to develop a searchable database that can be used to respond to requests for services.  The Alliance for Peacebuilding is a nonprofit network of private and public organizations dedicated to improving the effectiveness of the conflict management field and maximizing its impact on international peacebuilding.  Focusing on areas affected by international and civil armed conflict, our members seek to resolve conflicts without violence, facilitate post-conflict reconciliation, and promote social, economic, and political development.

The PSI Project has completed the survey of conflict resolution professionals to identify the regions and countries of the world in which they have worked and to indicate their experience in implementing the following methods of interactive conflict resolution (which bring together representatives or members of conflicting groups or states in unofficial, small-group interaction):

• Dialogue: A facilitated interchange and discussion of opposing ideas designed to seek mutual understanding and harmony while resolving basic issues.
• Training: The provision of concepts and models for understanding conflict and the acquisition of skills and methods for addressing it more effectively, such as communication, negotiation, mediation and problem solving.
• Problem-Solving Workshops: A facilitated small-group discussion that brings together representatives of conflicting groups to jointly analyze their conflict and develop creative options for de-escalation and resolution, which may be fed back into official channels.
• Building Cross-Conflict Teams: Usually in conjunction with one of the above methods, a facilitated interaction to design and form project teams from conflicting groups that will work on conflict prevention, resolution or peacebuilding activities on the ground in the conflict zone.
• Reconciliation: Facilitated post-conflict interaction between members of conflicting groups to increase mutual understanding and empathy and thereby re-establish harmony and cooperation through some combination of acknowledgements of transgressions, apologies, forgiveness and assurances regarding future behavior.

Now that the database of practitioners has been created, it is the goal of the PSI Project to develop connections with early warning, conflict monitoring and other organizations that can identify needs for interactive conflict resolution services.  In response to such requests, Alliance Staff will be able to use the database to identify an initial team of conflict resolution professionals who could respond with a proposal or intervention.  The PSI Project can thus serve as a referral mechanism between the field of interactive conflict resolution and the growing number of public and private organizations concerned with conflict prevention and peace building. 

For further information, please contact Christy Slice, Christy@allianceforpeacebuilding.org.

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Alliance for Peacebuilding
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