Impossible peace? Finding solutions to the most challenging intra-state conflicts

All intra-state conflicts are difficult to solve, but some appear more immune to peaceful solutions than others. This includes conflicts that involve many factions and/or external actors, that are characterised by extreme levels of violence, that have lasted for decades and where fears, grievances and mistrust have become deeply entrenched, or where the rebel forces have gained de facto independence. Much existing conflict resolution literature is based on analyses of lower intensity conflicts, but the strategies and institutional designs that worked here may not be applicable in these extreme cases of intra-state conflicts.

This workshop brings together conflict experts, area specialists, and practitioners to discuss what can be done in case of conflicts that seem beyond resolution. Must we just wait for the right moment to arise or can third parties help create this? Is there a space, and a need, for non-traditional conflict resolution? What types of solutions are realistic: Is the answer partition, some form of interim agreement, or can a solution be found that maintains the existing state? The speakers will draw on and discuss a range of different cases; both ongoing conflicts and conflicts where some form of solution was found, including Liberia, East Timor, Sudan, Fiji, Kosovo, Nagorno-Karabakh, Israel-Palestine, and Syria.

This workshop is sponsored by the British Academy for Humanities and Social Sciences.

Find further information and the full programme at Impossible peace workshop (PDF , 637kb)

Admissions is free and open to all but please register in advance at http://impossiblepeace.eventbrite.co.uk