Recognizing the value of Track II diplomacy, we have used it as a principal tool of the organization since our founding in 1982.
When most people think of diplomacy, they think of official contact between government representatives, also known as Track I diplomacy. Track II diplomacy, on the other hand, involves almost entirely unofficial contacts. These unofficial contacts can include dialogues and exchanges between influential non-governmental actors from different countries, designed to build trust and increase communication. In addition, Track II initiatives can be useful when there are blockages at the official level and when a secondary, unofficial venue is needed to explore new or challenging ideas.
Beginning with projects focused on improving relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, we have led Track II projects aimed at supporting official agreements and understandings between the United States and Iran, Israel and Jordan, and between armed groups and the governments in Burundi, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are currently engaged in projects spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States.
Track II Mediation Resources
A 101-Year Old Border Dispute is Finally Over
A century-old conflict finally resolved. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have signed a historic agreement, proving that peace isn’t just a dream—it’s possible through persistence and dialogue. Behind the scenes, activists, journalists, and everyday people worked tirelessly to build trust and create change. In a world often divided, moments like this remind us…
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Insider Mediation: lessons learnt and best practices for conflict resolution and prevention
Lessons from insider mediation in Burundi, Niger, and Zimbabwe At a Glance: This policy brief highlights key lessons learnt on enhancing both the strategic value and the effectiveness of insider mediation as a tool for conflict prevention and resolution in diverse fragile and conflict- affected contexts. The brief draws on…
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Government-Community Leaders Dialogues to Reduce Tension in Central Asia: Phase III
The project Government-Community Leaders Dialogues to Reduce Tension in Central Asia: Phase III, supported by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), was a 25-month project, implemented between May 2022 and June 2024, which aimed to strengthen collaboration at the interstate and intrastate levels to enable effective and innovative responses…
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Search for Common Ground & United Nations Announce an Innovative Partnership for Humanitarian Diplomacy
Partnership with United Nations Office of the Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator advances shared mission of humanitarian diplomacy WASHINGTON, DC (FEBRUARY 7, 2023) — Global peacebuilding organization Search for Common Ground today announced a new partnership with the United Nations’ most senior official dedicated to humanitarian…
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Final Evaluation – Building Peace from the Inside – April 2022
The EU- funded project ‘Building Peace from the Inside: Supporting Insider Mediation for Sustainable Transformation of Conflict’ took place from January 2020 to April 2022 in Burundi, Niger and Zimbabwe, and it was implemented by an international consortium of NGOs including Berghof Foundation, Interpeace and Search for Common Ground. The…
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Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) – (2021–2025)
Iraq is composed of a rich diversity of ethno-religious groups spanning across the nation. As a majority Shi’a country, with a significant Sunni population, Iraq is also home to Kaka’i, and Christian believers, among other minority faith groups. Religion also cuts across ethnic and tribal lines, with the affiliations of…
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2021: A Year in Review in Yemen
The crisis in Yemen has inexorably deepened, with over 20.1 million people in immediate need of humanitarian assistance to survive. Over four million people, including two million children, continue to be internally displaced, with over 400,000 families migrating or seeking asylum to avoid living in extreme precarity. The socio-economic breakdown…
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BUILDING PEACE FROM THE INSIDE
“Building Peace from the Inside: Supporting Insider Mediation for Sustainable Transformation of Conflict” is a two-year international consortium project funded by the EU’s Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP)and implemented by Search for Common Ground, Interpeace, Berghof Foundation, and partners Conflict Alert and Prevention Centre (CENAP) in Burundi and…
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Community Reconciliation and Resilience Building in Bolori ll Conflict Scan Report – July 2019
Community Reconciliation and Resilience Building in Bolori ll Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. Funded by the French Embassy in Nigeria, September 1, 2018 – October 31, 2019.
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Scan de Conflit – Promouvoir la Transformation Pacifique des Conflits dans le Cercle de Bankass au Mali – Septembre 2019
Le projet de médiation d’urgence d’un an, “Mon voisin, mon frère”, est financé par le fonds d’affectation spéciale de la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA). Les conflits intercommunautaires dans le Cercle de Bankass se cristallisent autour des conflits entre les communautés Peulh et…
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