CPRF Archive Center

All past CPRF meetings are listed below, but not all have notes available. In those cases where notes are listed the speakers have given their permission for the public presentation of their comments. In some cases, notes are not listed due to the wishes of the speakers for their comments to be off the record.  Where available, meeting notes may be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF).

July
Topic: Isolation vs. Engagement - Part Two: When Diplomats Do Their Job
Speakers: Tom Dine, Daniel Levy and Barbara Slavin
Moderator: John Marks
Notes from this forum [pdf]

June
Topic: Isolation vs. Engagement - Part One: The Changing Role of the Military
Speakers: David F. Davis, Brig. Gen. Khawar Hanif, Martin Hanratty
Moderator: Charles Hauss
Notes from this forum [pdf]

May
Topic: Olympic Diplomacy
Speakers: Harry Harding and Richard Solomon
Moderator: Chic Dambach
Notes from this forum [pdf]

April
Topic: U.S.-Iran Inter-religious Dialogue
Speakers: John Bryson Chane and Ahmed Irvani
Moderator: William Green Miller
Notes from this forum [pdf]

March
Topic: Catalyzing an upward spiral in Western relations with the Global Muslim Community
Speakers: Dalia Mogahed, Emmanuel Kattan and William M. Belding
Moderator: Leena El-Ali (SFCG)
Notes from this forum [pdf]

February
Topic: Advocacy on Behalf of Peacebuilding During Political Campaigns (and beyond)
Speakers: Jasmeet Sidhu, Lynn Kunkle and David Devlin-Foltz
Moderator: Yonce Shelton (SFCG)
Notes from this forum [pdf]
Audio recording of this forum [mp3]

December
Topic: Peacemaking in the midst of turbulence: the South Asian challenge
Speakers: Farhana Ali, Douglas Johnston, Alan Kronstadt
Moderator: William Zartman, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Notes from this forum [pdf]

November
Topic: Importance of early warning signs in conflict prevention; lessons from Zimbabwe
Speakers: Ozong Agborsangaya-Fiteu, Krista Hendry, Mark Schneider
Moderator: Charles F. Dambach
Notes from this forum [pdf]
Audio recording of this forum [mp3]

October
Topic: Achieving peaceful elections; lessons learned from Sierra Leone and Nigeria
Speakers: Christopher Fomunyoh, National Democratic Institute (NDI); Christian Hennemeyer, International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES)
Moderator: Randolph Carter, Search for Common Ground (SFCG)
Notes from this forum [pdf]
Audio recording of this forum [mp3]

September: This month's forum explored the role of reflective practice in organizations and institutions that are willing to learn from their experiences in the field, as well as to institutionalizing the knowledge gained. The panelists were Carole Frampton, Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Paul Miller, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Wallace Warfield, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR), George Mason University (GMU), and Peter Woodrow, Collaborative for Development Action. Melanie Greenberg from the Cyprus Fund for Peace and Security facilitated the forum. [more]

July: This CPRF highlighted key practical steps underway in Nepal to build and strengthen the fragile peace resulting from the violent political struggle between the monarchy, parliament and armed insurgency. The panel of speakers addressed a number of key processes needed to sustain the achievements of the past few years, as well as challenges in building and securing a stable Nepal, including processes for securing peace through the development of peace structures; steps being taken to restore respect for the rule of law; the role and importance of underprivileged and indigenous groups in securing the peace; and ways in which the energies and talents of Nepalese youth can best be harnessed in ensuring a successful and peaceful future. [more] [Download PowerPoint presentation]

June: On May 30th, the Global Peace Index (GPI) was released to the international community. It ranks the peacefulness of 121 nations by analyzing 24 indicators of internal and external peacefulness and correlating them with a wide range of other factors, including prosperity, education, corruption, and form of government. Norway ranks first, and the United States is 96th. On June 12, the panelists of this month's Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum came together to discuss the GPI, opening up a conversation on the inception of the GPI and the key next steps and relevant critical questions that surround the future of the Index. [more] [Listen to audio recording]

May: With the remarkable public response to the crisis in Darfur and the efficacy of several traditional and unconventional genocide prevention campaigns, May's CPRF examined how such activism might be incorporated and sustained to create durable institutions of genocide prevention.  The panel of experts explored the techniques and methodologies of creating a broader constituency of people who care deeply about stopping genocide and mass atrocities, as well as some of the most successful non-traditional outreach and prevention strategies. In addition, the panelist engaged in a discussion about how links between public awareness, a more galvanized public and greater government action can stop genocide. [more]

April (special session): The Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum hosted a very special session with Dr. Sari Nusseibeh and Dr. Marc Gopin. Susan Collin Marks, Vice-President of Search for Common Ground, facilitated the session. What transpired was an open, honest, and insightful dialogue on the Middle East with two extraordinary individuals, both of whom have dedicated their lives to building peace in the region. The panelist discussed the challenges and opportunities for peace in the Middle East, including the potential of cultural actors and citizen diplomats, through clarifying and acknowledging mutual differences, to help us move beyond our settled patterns of discourse into ways of understanding "the other" that can become avenues to friendship.

April: This month’s Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum (CPRF) focused on the experience of child soldiers as a way of deepening our insight into what can and is being done to heal and rehabilitate former child soldiers, and reconcile and reintegrate them into their communities. The forum panelist included Betty Bigombe, Senior Scholar at the United Stated Institute of Peace, Michael Wessells, Professor at Columbia University and Randolph-Macon University as well as Senior Advisor at the Christian Children’s Fund, and Patrick White, International Relations Officer at the United States Department of Labor. Randolph Carter, Program Manager of the Children and Youth program at Search for Common Ground, facilitated the forum. [more]

March: This month’s CPRF explored the role of innovative, independent media projects, such as locally programmed radio and television stations, as a catalyst for positive change and conflict prevention. The panelists considered questions such as: how can media effect change and enhance peacebuilding? How are communication strategies developed and their efficacy for conflict prevention and transformation? What local or state resistance do these strategies generate or encounter? And, what systemic factors must be addressed – social, political cultural – to insure long-term success? The panel included Deborah Jones, Common Ground Productions (Search for Common Ground), Adam Kaplan, USAID and Ivan Sigal, Internews. Charles Dambach, Director of the Alliance for Peacebuilding and a sponsor of the CPRF, moderated the forum. [more]

February: This month's Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum focused on Sunni- Shi'a reconciliation. The panelist discussed the historical perspectives of the conflict, present-day issues, and viable processes for moving toward deep and meaningful reconciliation. The panelist included Dr. Jamal Barzinji, Director and Founder of the International Institute for Islamic Thought, Mohammad Faghfoory, Professor at George Washington University, and Imam Abolfazl B. Nahidian, Founder, Director and Imam of the Manassas Mosque. [more]

2006

December: This month's Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in crisis zones. Corporations like Exxon, Chevron and De Beers operate in crisis zones across the globe. At the same time, in these same locations NGO's and civil society groups are working to prevent and mitigate conflict. This month's forum focused on identifying the issues that arise when corporations work in crisis zones, analyzing what a corporation's responsibility could be, and how they implement corporate social responsibility policies on the ground in such an environment. [more]

November: The November Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum focused on the challenges and opportunities that arise when addressing the development of freedom and democracy in other countries. The discussion also addressed the difficult question of what should be done when a democratically elected leader is not perpetuating democracy, and who should take the lead in that process? [more]

September: Many of the traditional madrasas or religious schools in Pakistan and in other areas of the world have come under scrutiny for fear that they incite Islamic extremism and promote terrorism. For the past three years, the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) has led an effort to expand the curriculums and enhance the pedagogy of the Pakistani madrasas. The September Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum examined the various tools and methods used by the ICRD to reshape and enhance the capability of the madrasas to provide a better future for the children of Pakistan. [more]

July: The July CPRF examined the causes and potential solutions to the ongoing crisis of the internally displaced in Colombia. The conflict and rising numbers of IDPs have continued to persist despite efforts of the Colombian Government, International Community, and NGOs to alleviate them in the region. Speakers at the forum were Kristele Younes, Advocate, Refugees International; Andrea Lari, Advocate, Refugees International; and Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli, Senior Associate for Colombia and Haiti, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). [more]

June: The June CPRF examined the causes and potential solutions to the conflict that persists following the end of the border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Speakers were Mark Schneider, Vice President, International Crisis Group; Samuel Tesfaye, journalist and consultant for the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy and the Ethiopian Life Foundation; Dr. Asgede Hags, Professor at Delaware State University and President of the Organization of Eritrean Americans; and Dr. Terrence Lyons, Associate Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. [more]

May: The May CPRF examined the challenges and possible paths to peace in Papua, Indonesia. Speakers were Dr. Blair King, Senior Program Manager for Asia at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs; Arko Budiadi, First Secretary in the Political Division at the Embassy of Indonesia; Brian McFeeters, Deputy Director of the State Department's Office of Maritime Southeast Asia; and Father Neles Tebay, a West Papuan journalist and priest. [more]

April: The April CPRF focused on peace building in Colombia and the challenges of the elections. The speakers gave insight into the nature and evolution of the current situation in Colombia and addressed the upcoming presidential elections and the possible implications for Colombia's future. Speakers were Dr. Cynthia J. Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Phillip McLean, Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Adjunct Professor at the Elliott School, George Washington University. [more]

March: The March CPRF addressed how the United Nations is promoting human rights and what the role of the United States is. Speakers were Michael Posner, President of Human Rights First; Lee Feinstein, Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy and International Law and Deputy Director of Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; and Theodore Piccone, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Democracy Coalition Project. [more]

February: The February CPRF was titled, "Track Two and Iran: Arresting the Downward Spiral". Speakers included: [more]

2005

December:The December CPRF was titled, "Using Polls as a Strategic Intervention in Conflict Resolution". The speakers were Colin Irwin, Research Fellow in the Institute of Governance at Queen's University in Belfast, and Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA), at the University of Maryland. [more]

November: Self-Determination and the Sahara. Speakers: Dr. William Zartman, Jacob Blaustein Professor of International Organizations and Conflict Resolution and Director of Conflict Management at the John Hopkins University. Walt Landry, Executive Director of the Think-tank for National Self-determination, Inc. [more]

October (1): For the October CPRF Colonel John Agoglia, Director of the US Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, spoke on moving forward on civil-military relations. The second speaker, Nicole Ball, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy and visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland, College Park, spoke on reforming security sector governance as a contribution to conflict prevention. [more]

October (2): Notes for comments by Nicole Ball [more]

September: During the September 2005 CPRF, we took an insider's look into the drafting of the Iraqi constitution. Paul Williams, Vanessa Jimenez, and William "Spence" Spencer presented a behind-the-scenes examination of the drafting of the Iraqi constitution. [more]

There are no notes for August.

July: At the July CPRF, Rabbi Marc Gopin discussed his recent peace-building trips to Syria, and Middle East experts Murhaf Jouejati and Moshe Ma'oz, commented on the wider political context. [more]

June: In June 2005, the CPRF featured a special screening of the new documentary, The Shape of the Future, produced by Search for Common Ground. Susan Collin Marks, the co-executive producer, and John Bell, incoming director of the Middle East program at Search for Common Ground, were there to give background information and answer questions. [more]

May: Conflict is political. It becomes violent when a party doesn't think it can get what it wants through politics. What do parties want to get through violence? 1. attention (demonstrative); 2. a change in policy; 3. a change in policy makers. It's unreasonable for a government to say it won't negotiate under duress: they are negotiating because they are under duress. Violence is the "money" of rebels; they won't give it up until they have their demands met at an acceptable level. If they are just trying to get attention, this level is usually low. [more]

April: During the April 2005 CPRF, we focused on Conflict Prevention. Our speakers were Elisabeth Kvitashvili, Director of the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM), United States Agency of International Development, and Melanie Greenberg, President of the Cypress Fund for Peace and Security, and Board Chair for the Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution. [more]

March: In March, the CPRF addressed the role of Media in Conflict. Our speakers were Elizabeth Becker, International Trade Correspondent for the New York Times, Karen DeYoung, from the Washington Post and currently on sabbatical at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Susan Collin Marks, Executive Vice President of Search for Common Ground. [more]

February: During the February 8, 2005 CPRF, David L. Phillips, from the Council on Foreign Relations, talked about Track II diplomacy in the Turkish-Armenian conflict. Matt Bryza, from the National Security Council, was scheduled to join him, but had to cancel at the last minute to travel to Georgia as part of the official US delegation attending the Prime Minister's funeral. [more]

Please note that there was no forum in January.

2004

December: At the December Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum the topic of Approaches to the Second Bush Administration was discussed. Lorne Craner (President of IRI) and Ken Wollack (President of NDI) were our speakers. [more]

November: At the CPRF on November 12, Cindy Courville, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, Hattie Babbitt, Senior Vice President of Hunt Alternatives Fund (Women Waging Peace), and Pamela Aall, Director of the US Institute of Peace Education Program and President of Women in International Security, spoke about the role of women in peacebuilding. Following is a summary of some of the important issues raised. [more]

September: Can the UN Prevent Violent Conflict? Notes of Johanna Mendelson Forman (United Nations Foundation) Chetan Kumar (United Nations Development Programme) and Victoria Holt (Henry L. Stimson Center). [more]

July: Democracy Promotion and U.S. Foreign Policy Notes of Marina S. Ottaway (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) and Patrick Merloe (National Democratic Institute for International Affairs). [more]

June: Inclusion in Peace Processes: Who Should Have a Seat at the Table?  Notes of Ambassador (ret.) Paul J. Hare (US-Angola Chamber of Commerce) and William A. Stuebner (Alliance for International Conflict Prevention & Resolution). [more]

April: NGO Operations and U.S. Anti-Terrorism Statutes.Notes of Roger G. Weiner, U.S. Department of Justice. [more]

February: Renegotiating an Effective Non-Proliferation Regime.  Notes of Jonathan Dean (Union of Concerned Scientists), Caroline Russell (U.S. Department of State), Jon Wolfsthal (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace). [more]

2003

December: Reconciling Civil Liberties and Security.  Notes of Timothy H. Edgar (American Civil Liberties Union), Paul Rosenzweig (The Heritage Foundation) and Joseph Onek (The Constitution Project). [more]

November: Addressing Non-Traditional Threats to Security.  Notes of Carla Koppell (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars), Chuck Woolery (United Nations Association Council of Organizations), Sonal Shah (Center for Global Development) and Stewart Patrick (US State Department). [more]

October: Bridging the "Post-Conflict Security Gap".  Notes of Dr. Joseph J. Collins (United States Department of Defense), Robert Perito (United States Institue for Peace) and Dr. Joanna Spear (United States Foreign Policy Institute, George Washington University). [more]

September: Ending Dictatorship: Options for the International Community.  Notes of Ambassador Mark Palmer, Nina Bang-Jensen (Coalition for International Justice) and Thomas Hill (Center for International Conflict Resolution, Columbia University). [more]

July: Relations Between International NGOs and the Military in Reconstruction & Peacekeeping.  Notes of Robert Macpherson (CARE), Nancy Lindborg (Mercy Corps) and Major General William L. Nash (Council on Foreign Relations). [more]

June: Can Longer Term Development Assistance Be Used to build Peace?  Outline from the comments of Sharon Morris (USAID) and Ian Bannon (World Bank). [more]

May: Bridging the Gap Between America and the Muslim World:  The Role of Muslim and Arab American Organizations.   Notes of Radwan Masmoudi (CSID), Nihad Awad (CAIR), and Azizah al-Hibri (KARAMAH). [more]

April: Bridging the Gap: America and the Muslim Middle East.  Notes of Ambassador Christopher Ross, Professor Shibley Telhami, and Shamil Idriss (SFCG). [more]

March: Challenges of Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Iraq.  Notes of Kenneth H. Bacon (Refugees International), Patrick Clawson (The Washington Institute for Near East Policy), and Bathsheba Crocker (CSIS). [more]

2002

December: Democracy Promotion or "Democracy by Force": Past Uses and Implications for the Future.  Notes of Elizabeth Clark (Georgetown University),
Dr. Marina S. Ottaway (Carnegie Endowment) and Dr. Judith Yaphe (National Defense University and Goucher College).  [more]

November: Coming in From the Cold: Are Sudan and Libya Leaving Terrorism Behind?  Notes of Ambassador Timothy Carney.  An Atlantic Council bulletin authored by Dr. William Lewis on this topic can be found on the website of the Atlantic Council at:
http://www.acus.org/Publications/bulletins/internationalsecurity/Lewis%20Bulletin.pdf

October:  Humanitarianism in Crisis: Have Relief Organizations Become Part of the Problem?  Notes of author David Rieff. 

September:  The Potential for a Non-violent Intifada: A New Possibility for the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.  Notes of John Marks (SFCG), Susan Collin Marks (SFCG), and Dr. Steven Kull (PIPA).

June:  From Conflict to Peace: The Case of Sri Lanka
Prepared comments of US Ambassador (ret.) Edward Marks, Sri Lankan Ambassador (ret.) Ernest Corea and Dr. Karunyan Arulanantham.

May: Challenges for International Justice & Reconciliation.
Notes of Ambassador David J. Scheffer (Senior Vice-President, UNA-USA and Former Ambassador-At-Large for War Crimes Issues).

April: Stolen Elections: Consequences for Conflict Prevention and Resolution.
Notes of Patrick Merloe (National Democratic Institute for International Affairs),
John Prendergast (International Crisis Group), and Brian Joseph (National Endowment for Democracy).

March: Northern Ireland Since Good Friday: Lessons Learned, Obstacles Ahead and Possibilities for Progress on the Rocky Path to Peace. 
Notes of Professor Paul J. Arthur (University of Ulster, Northern Ireland).

February: Defining Terrorism: Is One Man's Terrorist Really Another Man's Freedom Fighter? Notes of Larry C. Johnson (BERG Associates, LLC, Consultant) and Ambassador Phillip C. Wilcox, Jr. (Foundation for Middle East Peace).

2001

December: Jamu and Kashmir: Is There a Solution? Notes of Ambassador Teresita Schaffer (Center for Strategic and International Studies).
Also participating: Michael Krepon (Henry L. Stimson Center).

November: Holy War and Holy Peace: The Role of Religion in Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism, and Conflict Resolution. Dr. Marc Gopin (Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Center for Strategic & International Relations) and Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad (Minaret of Freedom Institute, University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins - SAIS).

October: Responding to Terrorism: What Role for Conflict Prevention & Resolution? - Talking Points of The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton. (1 of 2 October files).
October: Responding to Terrorism: What Role for Conflict Prevention & Resolution? Address by The Honourable Gareth Evans (International Crisis Group). (2 of 2 October files).

June: Africa's Inherited Borders: Source of Stability or Conflict? Dr. I. William Zartman (Johns Hopkins University-SAIS) and Dr. Marina Ottaway (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace).

May: Sweden's Role in Conflict Prevention. Ambassador Jan Eliasson (Swedish Ambassador to the United States).

April: Faith-Based Peacemaking: The Role of Religious Actors in Preventing and Resolving Conflict Worldwide. Dr. David Smock (United States Institute of Peace) and Dr. Barry Hart (Eastern Mennonite University).

March: The Pursuit of Arab-Israeli Peace: A Retrospective. Dr. Aaron Miller (U.S. Department of State).

February: Conflict in Colombia: Plan Colombia & Prospects for Peace. Rob Ricigliano (Conflict Management Group) and Ambassador Peter Romero (U.S. Department of State).

January: Resolving Conflict in Ethiopia/Eritrea. John Prendergast (U.S. Department of State).

2000

December: Common Ground in the Middle East. Dr. Mohammed Abu Nimer (American University) and Charles Lenchner (Friends of the Earth Mid-East).

November: Conflict Resolution: Experiences in the Ukraine. Ambassador William Miller (SFCG).

October: Spirituality & Conflict Prevention. Dr. Andrea Bartoli (Columbia University, Community of Sant' Egidio).

September: Conflict Resolution & Negotiation in Latin America: Opportunities & Obstacles. Ambassador Luis Lauredo (OAS).

July: Building Indigenous Capacity for Change and Conflict Management Worldwide. Raymond Shonholtz, Dusan Ondrusek, and Sofiko Shubladze (Partners for Democratic Change).

June: Missing Link in Conflict Resolution: A Practitioner's Toolbox. John Marks (SFCG).

May: Third Side Peacemaking. Dr. William Ury (Harvard University).

April: Why is Bureaucracy Resistant to Conflict Prevention? (III) Dr. Morton Halperin (U.S. Department of State).

March: The Role of the Military in Peacekeeping. Major General William Nash (NDI).

February: The Process of Peacemaking in Africa: Sudan, Uganda, and Congo (Brazzaville). Dr. I. William Zartman (Johns Hopkins-SAIS) and Dr. Joyce Neu (Carter Center).

January: Why is Bureaucracy Resistant to Conflict Prevention? (II) Ambassador J. Brian Atwood (former USAID Administrator).

1999

December: The Tension Between Human Rights & Reconciliation. Tom Warrick (U.S. Department of State) and Pauline Baker (Fund for Peace).

November (Inaugural meeting): Why is Bureaucracy Resistant to Conflict Prevention? (I) Richard McCall (USAID) and Dr. Harold Saunders (Kettering Foundation).