Occasional Paper #11:OP:3  

by Raimo Väyrynen

Several practical and conceptual approaches have been developed to manage, mediate, and settle conflicts in human communities. They are usually based on the premise that parties to them are effectively organized and have specific and well-defined sets of interests and agendas of action. Such approaches give rise to technical models to solve conflicts However, the contexts of most of today's conflicts--including urban violence and humanitarian emergencies--are badly organized and fragmented, even chaotic. As these forms of violence are embedded in social structures, new approaches to conflict resolution are needed. Instead of simple, actor-oriented solutions, these approaches must give primacy to various institutional and structural remedies. In terms of techniques of conflict resolution, there are growing needs and efforts to emphasize contingent and transformative approaches which are adjusted to the ever-changing contexts of conflicts.

Top of Page

Home > Publications > Occasional Papers