Terminology

Conflict Dynamics

"An armed conflict is said to exist when there is an armed confrontation between the armed forces of States (international armed conflict), or between governmental authorities and organised armed groups or between such groups within a State (non-international armed conflict)." Other situations of violence, such as internal disturbances and tensions are not considered to be armed conflicts. (International Committee of the Red Cross – ICRC,  from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2023/757582/EPRS_ATA(2023)757582_EN.pdf)

A range of methods for addressing conflict which rely on faith in the rationality and fundamental goodwill of people. Processes of conflict resolution generally include negotiation, mediation and diplomacy. (John Paul Lederach, “Conflict Transformation,” Beyond Intractability, http://www. beyondintractability.org/essay/transformation/?nid=1223)

Conflict transformation addresses human conflict through nonviolent approaches that increase understanding, equality, and respect in relationships. It focuses on personal, social, political, and economic transformation, and is flexible, both in structure and process. Conflict transformation views peace as a continuously evolving and developing quality of relationship, rather than a finite outcome. (David P. Barash and Charles P. Webel, Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd Edition, (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2009), 244, 261.)

The UN Sustainable Development Group defines in their Good practice note -  Conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding and sustaining peace”, 2022 as follows: “The concept of ‘conflict sensitivity’ starts from the recognition that humanitarian, development and peacebuilding activities cannot be separated from the peace and conflict context in which they are implemented. […] Adopting a conflict sensitivity approach is to deliver development, humanitarian and political assistance activities in a way that aims to minimize the risk that those activities could cause more harm than good and increase the risk of violence. As such, it is laying the foundation for maximizing the positive impact of activities on sustaining peace. 

‘Conflict sensitivity does not require that all organizations focus on conflict and peace issues. Rather, it insists that all organizations and actors consider the unintended consequences of their programs on the relationships between groups of people in the context, and act to address those consequences.’ (CDA Collaborative Learning, 2016). 

"Any aspect of a culture that can be used to legitimize violence in its direct or structural form." (Lederach, J. P. (1997). Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies, United States Institute of Peace Press.) 

The set of initiatives by diverse actors in government and civil society that address the root causes of violence and protect civilians before, during, and after violent conflict. Peacebuilders use communication, negotiation, mediation and development efforts and other creative approaches instead of violence to resolve conflicts. Effective peacebuilding is multi-faceted and adapted to each conflict environment, and is designed to help conflicting parties to find a path that will enable them to resolve their differences without bloodshed and construct relationships based on justice and an acknowledgement of their interdependence. The ultimate objective of peacebuilding is to reduce or eliminate the frequency and severity of violent conflict. (Charles Dambach, “What is Peacebuilding,” Alliance for glossary Peacebuilding, accessed October 25, 2010, http://www. allianceforpeacebuilding.org/?page=aboutpeacebuilding)

"Resilience is the capacity of individuals and communities affected by conflict to absorb shocks, to adapt to change, and to transform in ways that protect and promote human rights, development, and peace." (United Nations Development Programme (2016). Resilience in Peacebuilding: Practice Note, UNDP)

After Lederach, resilience in peacebuilding can be described as the ability of individuals and communities to not only withstand and recover from the effects of conflict but also to transform the structures and relationships that have led to violence, thereby building a sustainable peace." (Lederach, J. P. (1997). Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies, United States Institute of Peace Press)

"The process of addressing the legacy of past violence and rebuilding the broken relationships it has caused." (Bloomfield, D., Barnes, T., & Huyse, L. (2003). Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A Handbook. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA))