International conflict resolution involves mediating armed conflicts between or within states, often carried out by governments, NGOs, or intergovernmental bodies like the UN. Conflict can arise from various sources, and mediation requires knowledge of the conflict’s history and a commitment to peaceful resolution. The UN promotes resolution through public appeals, ceasefire calls, and mediation services. NGOs like the Carter Foundation and the USIP also provide vital mediation and post-conflict reconciliation services. Conflict resolution must include issues of human rights and humanitarian aid, and efforts to eradicate poverty and strengthen democratic institutions.
International conflict resolution is an attempt to prevent or resolve armed conflicts between states or within states through mediation. Governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or intergovernmental bodies such as the United Nations (UN) carry out these mediation attempts. Mediation efforts may also include aiding in post-conflict reconciliation, reconstruction and internal stability.
Conflicts within and between states can arise from ethnic conflicts, religious conflicts, human rights violations and competition for resources. They can also stem from fear of aggression, weak institutions, or the spread of political revolution. Mediating these conflicts requires knowledge of the history and sources of the conflict and a commitment to resolve it by peaceful means.
The UN promotes the resolution of international conflicts through UN resolutions, which are public appeals from the international community for the parties to resolve the issue peacefully. UN resolutions can also call for a ceasefire between combatants and a withdrawal within internationally recognized borders. The contenders can use the services of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to communicate between adversaries, to form conflict fact-finding missions and to provide observers to monitor ceasefire agreements. The parties to the conflict may also ask the Secretary General to act as a mediator of the dispute.
The United Nations philosophy of peace is that it includes efforts to eradicate poverty and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The resolution of the international conflict must also include issues of human rights and humanitarian aid. UN doctrine maintains that respect for human rights is the essential condition for establishing peace.
NGOs perform vital international conflict resolution services. Because they are non-profit organizations not affiliated with any state’s political or foreign policy agenda, they are sometimes more reliable as mediators than representatives of a particular state. NGOs can often act faster than states or intergovernmental organizations and engage in dialogue between hostile parties until formal diplomacy takes place.
The mediation services of NGOs such as the Carter Foundation, led by former US President Jimmy Carter, continue beyond the conflict phase. They involve efforts to check agreements reached through mediation to end conflict and meaningful post-conflict reconciliation. Many NGOs continuously monitor potential areas of conflict and work to prevent the outbreak of armed aggression.
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is a nonpartisan national institute funded by Congress. Like NGOs, USIP is engaged in international conflict resolution work. It offers mediation services to the nations concerned. His work also extends to post-conflict issues, such as maintaining stability and increasing the conflict-handling capacity of contenders. Postconflict stability efforts may include reconstruction work, planning to rebuild schools and institutions, and restoring basic necessities such as water and electricity.
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