How Creating "Communities of Learning" and "Common Cultures" Fosters Collaboration

This article examines three innovative efforts initiated by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School to promote conflict resolution on an international scale: the e-Parliament, the Israeli Settlements Project, and the Negotiation Skills Training Program in Mexico. These projects achieve successful collaboration and coordination by creating "communities of learning" and "common cultures" among the many actors involved. The article analyzes the critical components of successful collaboration and coordination in multi-party situations that are incorporated shared decision-making and responsibility, meaningful participation, joint commitment, and reciprocity.