 |
The George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) is a leading institution in the field of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CAR). S-CAR comprises a diverse community of world-renowned scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni and organizations working in the field of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution. As such, S-CAR has a long and rich tradition in conflict resolution practice. Despite the multiplicity of conflict resolution initiatives carried out by S-CAR faculty, a
comprehensive 'map' of S-CAR practice is still missing. Equally absent is a systematic way of communicating S-CAR practice both within and outside the community. Filling such gaps constitutes a step towards the further professionalization of the S-CAR Practice.
The intention of the study presented in this report was to map S-CAR practice work, based on an elicitive interview process with S-CAR faculty, and to seek their views about the development of a common template comprising different sections that could be used to systematically describe and communicate CR practice. As noted in the analytical part of this report, this aspect presented a level of controversy because many faculty members questioned whether it was possible to communicate S-CAR practice in a relatively set format given that different faculty have been engaged in diverse forms of practice. Furthermore, the issue of confidentiality of some of the practice work that S-CAR faculty members perform is of a delicate nature and it would not be appropriate to publish such work because of the possibility of compromising the identities and security of involved parties and other stakeholders.
Capturing the essence of S-CAR practice is an organic and dynamic process. Thus, this S-CAR Practice study intended to make the first contribution towards how to map and communicate such work effectively. A starting point for such an endeavor was to talk to S-CAR faculty members and elicit their views on their Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution practice as they have experienced it. This study presents such views as it the results of in S-CAR faculty's insights based on personal interviews conducted between
October 2010 and May 2011.
A number of CR related topics were covered during these interviews. These included: definition of practice, methods, scope, levels of intervention, partnerships, resources, challenges, ethical concerns, and evaluation attempts to define 'successfuf practice. The findings of these interviews are presented in the analytical part of this study. The project team hopes that this initiative will yield multiple benefits, for instance: offering a comprehensive view of what constitutes S-CAR practice, helping S-CAR establish a
dynamic practice knowledge-base as part of the new S-CAR online platform, and setting a foundation for regularly reviewing, reflecting on, and communicating S-CAR practice at multiple levels.
This report presents S-CAR Dean's vision for the S-CAR Practice study and also includes the study's objectives, methodology and findings. This report concludes with the prospect of developing a common format for communicating S-CAR practice.