NEW Accord workshop report

Conciliation Resources' Accord programme has just published a report of the 2004 joint analysis workshop:

Engaging armed groups in peace processes

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THE FULL TEXT IS AVAILABLE FREE ON LINE
(http://www.c-r.org/accord/ansa/index.shtml) OR CAN BE ORDERED IN PRINT FROM CR (See below)

The report presents some of the challenges presented by engaging armed groups, and a series of recommendations for future work, including the need to:

better understand armed groups and how they make choices;
improve how we articulate the case for engagement;
consider engagement within the wider context of peace and conflict;
counter the state-actor bias of the international system in peace processes; and
improve the track one / track two relationship in the process of engaging armed groups

As a result there is a need to continue the dialogue on this matter from all the different perspectives; to develop new mechanisms and approaches for better understanding armed groups; to collect, organise and disseminate helpful resources for intermediaries and armed groups on engaging in political dialogue and to ensure engagement strategies are responsive to the needs and views expressed by the local communities affected.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL OFFER

Conciliation Resources’ Accord programme publishes the internationally acclaimed series Accord: an international review of peace initiatives that provides measured and detailed documentation of peace processes.

Each edition offers the reader an introduction to a specific conflict and a careful examination of the many initiatives that combined to reach a peaceful settlement, or have so far paved the way towards agreement. For many readers, Accord is already a valued resource for education and training programmes, academic research, conflict policy-making and general reference purposes. The publications contain a range of articles by individuals with first hand experience, covering:

background to the conflict
peace initiatives to date
profiles of main actors
chronologies
key texts from peace processes
guidance for further reading

– to introduce you to the series Accord: an international review of peace initiatives we offer you a full set of 15 back issues at the discounted price of, £195 / $333 (ordinary price £230 / $392). Please quote the reference ‘November promotion’ when ordering.

To order a hard copy of the report or other issues of Accord please visit our website http://www.c-r.org/accord or e-mail us on accord@c-r.org

"I have been really impressed with the quality of the whole series....these books are very helpful for our students, many of whom come from experiences in conflict zones and aim precisely to reflect on the conceptual issues which comparisons can raise."
Jenny Pearce, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford (UK)
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PLEASE NOTE: Geneva Call, one of the organizations participating in this workshop, has also just released a new report on a related theme:
WOMEN IN ARMED OPPOSITION GROUPS SPEAK ON WAR, PROTECTION AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
For further information please visit the Geneva Call website www.genevacall.org or contact info@genevacall.org
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