Since the end of the Cold War, the world has seen a proliferation of conflicts based on ethnic, religious, political and social issues. Of the 150 conflicts which have taken place since 1990, only two have been international. Over thirty have resulted in major wars, with 40 million people killed and over 45 million refugees created worldwide. Unlike in many previous international wars, half of the victims were civilians. Many of these conflicts are also now of a long-standing nature, and are often characterised by a recurring cycle of violence which is usually very difficult to break, revealing the likely patterns of violence in the coming decades.
Many conflicts are about issues of territory and statehood.
Even though globalisation, particularly in the economic and communications spheres, is rapidly increasing, the world is fragmenting, and in the last fifty years the number of states in existence has quadrupled, with many more new states looking set to emerge through violence. The main aim of the seminar is to explore, through discussion and debate among the participants and through case studies, ways of finding creative and non-military approaches to the prevention and management of conflict. As they are based in Northern Ireland, participants will also have a chance to engage with some of the conflict resolution approaches adopted there and to meet people involved in such approaches at varying levels. This seminar will be particularly relevant to senior policy makers and practitioners from areas where conflict is emerging or in existence. It will also be of use to staff of international organisations engaged in conflict interventions, including aid interventions, and to personnel from governmental and military agencies wishing to extend their knowledge of constructive approaches to the management and resolution of conflict.