Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict
Resources for Contributors
List of Solicited Essay Topics
Last Updated August 2, 2005
We are currently in need of essays on the following topics. Please see the Call for Contributions and our Sample Essays for more information.
Essay Topic
Description
Status
Appreciative Inquiry
What it is, where it is useful, how it is used, what its benefits are, what its limitations and down-sides are — using case examples to supplement a general discussion. (Suggested length: 1500-3000 words)
Needed
Fighting Fairly
Intractable conflicts are usually caused by legitimate claims of injustice or deep value differences. How can such divides be approached "fairly" and constructively? Though this topic has been dealt with in some existing essays (for example, Constructive Escalation and Peaceful Change Strategies), one of our advisors has suggested an additional essay on this topic. (Suggested length: 1500-3000 words)
Needed
Role-Specific Essays
Here, we have a need for a number of different essays — each one focused on the needs of people in a particular social role (e.g., kids working for peace or conflict resolution, faith-based initiatives for peace or conflict resolution, health care providers as conflict resolvers, etc.). Keep in mind, though, the focus is on destructive and intractable conflicts, not run-of-the-mill family, playground, or community conflicts that are quickly resolved! (Length suggestion: 1500 words)
Needed
Security-Focused Approaches to Intractable Conflict
While we do have an essay on security and another on confidence-building measures, our coverage of security-focused approaches to conflict is still quite weak. The security sector often takes a very different approach to — and view of — intractable conflicts than does the conflict resolution field. We need several essays that look at the violent intractable conflict problem from a security perspective (for instance, from a military perspective, an intelligence perspective, a law enforcement perspective, etc.). (Suggested length: 3000 words)
Needed
Spiritual Aspects of Conflict and Conflict Transformation
So far, Beyond Intractability has taken a largely rational approach to conflict and its resolution, but clearly spirituality plays a role in conflict generation, engagement, and resolution. This essay would examine the role of spirituality in these three aspects of intractable conflict. (Suggested length: 750-1500 words)
Needed
Training as Intervention
Oftentimes, conflict resolvers act in a training capacity, building the capacity among disputing parties to transform their own conflicts, rather than acting as mediators who (to some degree) do the conflict resolution work for the parties. The advantage of providing training, rather than simple mediation, is that it provides skills that last and hence may be more likely to contribute to sustainable peace. (Suggested length: 1500-3000 words)
Needed
Turning Points
Most intractable conflicts eventually are resolved, because something happens to change the status quo. What is the nature of these "turning points"? Can they be created? How are they recognized when they occur? This essay should examine research on turning points and use examples as much as possible. (Suggested length: 3000 words)
Needed
Indigenous Approaches to Conflict Transformation or Resolution
Although most conflict resolution scholarship has been done in the West and focus on Western approaches to conflict and its transformation, many cultures have their own approaches that work better for them--and may actually work better for others, even outside their culture. We would like to include as many essays as possible about such indigenous approaches to conflict. (Suggested length: 1500-3000 words)
Needed
Other topics: If you have a topic you are interested in that is not listed above, and is not in the Beyond Intractability system, let us know and we'll see if we think it will fit.
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone. -- Albert Einstein
Featured Links Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict The Carter Center Resolution Program
Other Resources from Beyond Intractability Getting to Peace William Ury explains how to transform confllict at home, work, and in the world.
Nobel Peace Prize Winners
Rigoberta Menchu Tum Prominent civil rights activist in Guatemala, and 1992 Nobel Peace Laureate
The Beyond Intractability Knowledge Base Project Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess, Co-Directors and Editors c/o Conflict Information Consortium(Formerly Conflict Research Consortium), University of Colorado Campus Box 580, Boulder, CO 80309 Phone: (303) 492-1635; Fax: (303) 492-2154; Contact
