Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Terminology

An increase in the intensity of a conflict often characterized by a shift toward unfriendly or hostile tactics.

A process in which at least two parties interact with growing intensity and hatred and with a greater commitment to using resources to win. Conflict can escalate fast and easily, it is much harder to reduce the intensity.

Any efforts made to contain violent conflict, reduce the levels of violence, or engage parties in a process to settle the conflict.

Refers to efforts to prevent or resolve violent conflict. Conflict prevention efforts such as diplomacy and negotiation attempt to stop violence from breaking out, since it is more difficult to stop violence once it has started.

They may include fact-finding missions, consultations, inspections, report mechanisms, and monitoring.

Ending of conflict, disputes, or disagreements by nonviolent means with intent to achieve a “win-win” outcome for all parties.

Conflict resolution involves recognition by the clashing parties of one another’s interests, needs, perspectives, and continued existence. It addresses and resolves deep-rooted/underlying sources and causes of conflict. It often uses a problem-solving methodology in order to identify options for addressing the sources of conflict that are mutually satisfactory, self-perpetuating, and sustaining.

An approach to programming and policymaking that recognizes the potential influence for any type of intervention to cause harm.

1. From the Benchmarking Paper of the CSA Consortium¹

A conflict sensitive approach involves gaining a sound understanding of the two-way interaction between activities and context² and acting to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts of interventions on conflict, within an organization’s given priorities/objectives (mandate).

The above definition of CSA

1. Applies to all contexts, regardless of the severity or frequency of violence, even in situations where underlying tensions have not recently resulted in violence.
   
2. Applies across and throughout all areas of our work and should be applied as an institutional approach (beyond tools)
3. Applies to all types of work, to encompass humanitarian, development and peacebuilding, also including, where appropriate, work conducted by local civil society, government or private sector partners.
4. Does not require changing mandates/priorities/objectives, and does not entail an explicit commitment to peacebuilding as a priority (can be mainstreamed across any priority / mandate)

It is also noted that the enhanced understanding of conflict that stems from conflict sensitivity, may lead some agencies to explicitly adopt peace-building priorities/activities. This may be considered a peace-building side-effect of adopting a conflict sensitive approach.

2. As adapted by the Kenya country consortium

“Conflict sensitivity is a deliberate and systematic approach that ensures our processes and actions minimize negative and maximize positive effects within a given context, based on the interaction between those processes and actions and that particular context.”

1 Extract from: Conflict Sensitivity Benchmarking Paper (2009), Brown et al
2 through conflict analysis

Aims to end violent behavior by reaching a peace agreement.

There is no single cause of a conflict. Factors vary in importance and can reinforce each other. Conflict analysis must involve assessing the relative importance of various conflict factors and their interrelationship. The combined effect of conflict factors produces an effect that enhances or reinforces the effect of individual conflict factors.

Conflict transformation is based on the notion that ‘conflict is normal in human relationships and that conflict is a motor for change'. It is a process of engaging with and transforming the relationships, interests, discourses and, if necessary, the very constitution of society that supports the continuation of violent conflict’.

Conflict transformation goes beyond the concept of conflict resolution in that it requires a transformation of the parties, their relationships to each other, and the structural elements that underlie the conflict. These relationships and social structures are often unjust and unequal, and transforming conflict seeks to alter these structures in ways that build a more just society. It is a term that implies a long-term perspective on conflict and its transformation.

Features of the context that bring people together despite their differences, or which can increase:

• Trust
• Interdependence
• Equality

A refusal to participate in military service because of moral beliefs.