Conflict Transformation
Ethnopolitical conflicts have threatened the stability of various regions in Central and Eastern Europe since the beginning of the region’s transition to democracy and a market economy after the end of the Cold War. Existing international organisations have had to respond to this threat by developing and implementing new policies, including the establishment of specific mechanisms and institutions devoted exclusively to achieving peaceful interethnic relations. Contributing to the settlement of ethnic conflict and to the process of gradual conflict transformation has been one of ECMI’s core competencies. The conflict transformation programme is regionally based and currently covers areas in:
• South East Europe - Kosovo (www.ecmikosovo.org)
• the South Caucasus – Georgia (www.ecmigeorgia.org)
Constructive conflict management
is one of the three principal areas of activities laid down for the Centre by its founders. ECMI deploys a variety of methodologies in relation to its work, depending on the circumstances of the specific case. In so doing, it can draw on the multi-disciplinary expertise of its own staff, and of its external collaborators, ranging from legal experts, social and political scientists, social anthropologists and economists.
Responsiveness and Timeliness of Action with a mid-term Perspective
This is achieved due to ECMI’s long-term commitment to certain regions and themes that allow it to respond expeditiously without missing out on the necessary conflict analysis and stakeholder involvement in devising projects. More major interventions will generally be undertaken at least with a mid-term perspective of continuous engagement, which has been an important ingredient of ECMI’s success in the South Caucasus and the Balkan region. This longer-term perspective is also linked to an investigation on sustainability of the project made at the time of its inception. Many projects will be gradually handed over to local actors.
Focused Approach
ECMI has been able to capitalize on its longer-term presence in certain regions and its subject-expertise in relation to specific issues. In addition to its activities in the Balkan region, covering Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina, ECMI has also developed an interest in the South Caucasus region and Moldova.
Further ECMI outputs on this topic:
The Cambridge Carnegie Project on Resolving Self-Determination Disputes
Using Complex Power-Sharing
http://www.intstudies.cam.ac.uk/centre/cps/
