Resources from the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
Text
WHAT IS SUCCESS IS INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION?
- a new report
The Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (CIIAN) and The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (NCPACS) are pleased to announce the release of a new report titled "Pinning Down Peace: Towards a Multi-Dimensional, Clustered Measure of Mediation Success" written by Dr Evan Hoffman and Dr Isak Svensson.
Working from the basis that gauging mediation success is much more arduous and complicated than asking whether an agreement was reached or violent behavior ended, this report develops a new model for measuring success by examining both subjective and objective criteria that are clustered around four different dimensions of the conflict concept, and that allows for the positive as well as negative interactions ("loops") between different dimensions of success.
This model synthesizes insights in previous research and contributes to a more holistic perspective on what mediators can achieve. As such, the model can help mediation researchers to develop more refined ways of conceptually capturing success in international mediation, and therefore generate a better benchmark for eventually testing propositions on what determines positive mediation outcomes. A more sophisticated model for mediation success also has important policy implications for donors, governments, and international organizations.
The report is available for download for free herehttp://ciian.org/assets/forms/pinningdownpeace.pdf
Click here for a record of seminars and public lectures hosted by the Centre in 2011.
'Lifelong Battler for a More Just World Left Worthy Memorial', Dominion Post, 31 Dec 2011. An obituary for Dorothy Brown, teacher and peace activist.
'Research Supervisors Honoured', Otago Daily Times, 30 Aug 2011. Dr Karen Brounéus receives the 2011 OUSA New Supervisor of the Year Award.
'World 'not safer' after US killing of Osama bin Laden', Otago Daily Times, 24 May 2011. Professors Clements, Patman, Bradstock and Dr Maryam Purvis on whether the death of bin Laden was a "turning point in building a safer world".
A new publication from Dr Isak Svensson and Emily Harding: 'How Holy Wars End: Exploring the Termination Patterns of Conflicts With Religious Dimensions in Asia', Terrorism and Political Violence, 23 (2) 2011; pages 133–14.
Click here to read Kevin Clements's review of New Perspectives on Liberal Peacebuilding (eds. Roland Paris and Oliver P. Richmond; Japan: United Nations University Press, 2009) in the Australian Journal of Political Science (45.4 [2010]: 730-732).
Dr Isak Svensson, with Kristine Höglund of Uppsala University, Sweden, has recently published two pieces on problems with Norwegian peace diplomacy in Sri Lanka: an article, "Should I Stay or Should I go? Termination as a Tactic and Norwegian Mediation in Sri Lanka", in Negotiation and Management Research (2011) Volume 4, Number 1, pp. 12-32 (see abstract here); and a book chapter, "Fallacies of the Peace Ownership Approach: Exploring Norwegian Mediation in Sri Lanka", in Kristian Stokke and Jayadeva (eds), Liberal Peace in Question: Politics of State and Market Reforms in Sri Lanka (London: Anthem Press, 2011; see here for more details).
'Community and Consent: Unarmed insurrections in Non-Democracies', European Journal of International Relations. A study by Isak Svensson and Mathilda Lindgren (Uppsala) which explores popular challenges against the state through nonviolent means.
'New Book about Jan Eliasson Launched Internationally', Uppsala University Department of Peace and Conflict Research. An announcement for the three international launches of Postdoctoral Fellow Isak Svensson's book 'The Go-Between - Jan Eliasson and the Styles of Mediation': USIP, Washington D.C.; Göteborg book fair, Sweden; and Otago University, New Zealand.
'Call to Arms on Disarmament', The Otago Daily Times, 19 Nov 2010. An article about November 2010 visitor, Swedish politician and peace campaigner Maj Britt Theorin.
'Negotiation, Not Force', The Otago Daily Times, 1 July 2010. Recent visitor Professor Herbert Wulf on the prospect of a nuclear-free Korea.
''Truth for Peace' in the Solomon Islands', Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund. A description of Dr Karen Brounéus's 2011 Marsden Fast-Start-funded project evaluating the outcomes and impacts of the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission on attitudes towards peace.
'UN Commissioner Addresses Peace and Conflict Studies Centre', Otago Daily Times, 1 Apr 2010. United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees' regional representative for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, Richard Towle, on his visit to the Centre and refugee protection.
Radio
'Spy Chief's Rise to Governor General Unusual', Morning Report, Radio New Zealand National, 9 Mar 2011. (Link to audio) Professor Kevin Clements comments on the appointment of New Zealand's new Governor General.
'Truth Telling', Sunday Morning with Chris Laidlaw, Radio New Zealand National, 24 Oct 2010. (Link to audio) Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Karen Brounéus interviewed by Chris Laidlaw about the truth and reconciliation process in Rwanda.
'Academic Says Giving Police Guns Could Spark Arms Race', Morning Report, Radio New Zealand National, 20 July 2010. (Link to audio) Professor Kevin Clements says any move to give police greater access to guns could spark a full scale arms race between the police and the criminal fraternity.
'Sanctions', Ideas, Radio New Zealand National, 6 June 2010. (Link to audio) Professor Kevin Clements contributes to a Radio New Zealand National discussion about the role of sanctions in international relations.
New Zealand Rated World's Most Peaceful Nation, Morning Report, Radio New Zealand National, 3 June 2009. (Link to audio) Professor Clements on how, when it comes to peace and harmony, it seems right here is the place to be.
'Place of Peacemaking', Sunday Morning with Chris Laidlaw, Radio New Zealand National, 31 May 2009. (Link to audio) An interview with Professor Kevin Clements, newly-appointed Director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Otago University.
NZ Downsizes East Timor Troop Commitment, Checkpoint, Radio New Zealand National, 19 May 2010. (Link to audio) Professor Clements on the NZ presence in East Timor: seventy-five soldiers left Christchurch for East Timor today - just over half the size of previous rotations.
'The Far Side of Revenge', Encounter, ABC Radio National, 22 Jan 2006. Transcription of an interview with Professor Kevin Clements.
'40 Years On, Nuclear Proliferation Still a Threat', ABC News, 1 July 2008. Professor Kevin Clements on why the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the world's most far-ranging arms control agreement, is under pressure as it marks its 40th birthday.
Television
'Reliving Traumatic Experiences May Not Be Helpful', Channel 9 Dunedin Television, 15 Sep 2010. (Link to video) Dr Karen Brounéus on truth-telling processes and the Rwandan genocide.
Podcasts
Audio and video for NCPACS seminars and lectures can be found on the Humanities podcasts webpage.
Links
The Peace and Conflict Studies Subject Guide at the University of Otago Central Library will help you find relevant articles, websites and more resources for research.
The Swiss Peace Foundation is a practice-oriented peace research institute which analyzes the causes of violent conflicts and develops strategies for their peaceful transformation.
Kevin Clements is an academic advisor to the International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict; see his profile here.
The University of Otago Legal Issues Centre, which carries out research on legal issues relating to how a more accessible, affordable and efficient legal system can be created for the benefit of all citizens and to carry out research on how courts can best ascertain the truth and arrive at a fair and just outcome.
See the NGOabroad website for international career and volunteering opportunities.