ACJCR works with non-governmental organizations and civic associations in promoting dialogue. ACJCR uses “civic diplomacy,” or what is often called “soft power.” Its goal is to build relationships between communities, civil society organizations, politicians and non-governmental actors who can influence political institutions in order to resolve international conflicts. ACJCR stresses the important role that such commitments can play, not only in shaping a democratic public discourse, but in formulating policy decisions. Selected examples appear below and, for those interested, hard copies are available on request.
Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we took active steps to reconcile the adversaries. Collaborating with the Ukrainian NGO “National Platform for Reconciliation and Unity of Ukraine,” we formulated and published the joint “National Platform for Reconciliation and Unity“, which was approved by a coalition of more than a dozen Ukrainian civic associations. (3/3/2022).
After the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine began, we concluded that the conflict might have been avoided if not for the fatal mistakes of both parties to the conflict and their allies. We realized that expert assessments, made professionally and in time, can help in many cases to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary casualties. Based on this, we made efforts to mobilize expert knowledge from around the world to analyze the causes and possible scenarios attendant upon the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.
This idea was realized in the form of “International Experts Peace Initiatives” (IEPI), an interdisciplinary network of researchers, who specialize in conflict analysis, mediation and resolution. Their expertise ranges from sociology to political science, economics and the humanities, and they work in universities, institutes, non-governmental organizations and various advisory bodies. The network’s task is to provide synthesized opinions of authoritative researchers with expert knowledge regarding a particular crisis in a relatively short time. More information about IEPI’s mission, goals and methods of work can be found here.
The first result of this work was a white paper on Ukraine . Working in tandem with the European Council for the Democracy Development (ECDD) and the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, IEPI brought together more than 20 scholars from around the world, primarily from the United States, to produce this document. The white paper on the Russia-Ukraine conflict details the causes, conflicting interests, obstacles to peace, possible scenarios, and positive proposals accompanying the crisis.
The White Paper was then further developed at the Mafra Dialogues in Portugal, organized by the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL). Participants have agreed to disseminate it among politicians, media and think tanks. This endeavor has set the stage for dealing with other conflicts that are smoldering in the Middle East, South Asia, the Balkans, the Caucasus, etc. They, too, can benefit from the insights and grounded research provided by the “Independent Experts Peace Initiatives.”
Independent Experts Peace Initiatives (IEPI): Mission Statement
How it Works: Methods and Practices
IEPI Executive Brief: White Paper on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict