Part I: Introduction to peace mediation

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Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2 | CP 1672 - CH-1211 Genève 1 | +41 22 908 57 00 | graduateinstitute.ch MAISON DE LA PAIX

Interdisciplinary Programmes Academic year 2020-2021

Peace Mediation in a Changing World

DE153 - Autumn - 6ECTS Room S4

Wednesday, 16 September, 8:15-10:00 Wednesday, 23 September, 8:15-10:00 Wednesday, 30 September, 8:15-10:00 Wednesday, 7 October, 8:15-10:00 Wednesday, 14 October, 8:15-10:00 Thursday, 15 October, 18:15-20:00 Wednesday, 21 October, 8:15-10:00 Thursday, 22 October, 18:15-20:00 Wednesday, 28 October, 8:15-10:00 Thursday, 29 October, 18:15-20:00

(Attendance Geneva Peace Week, 2-6 November) Wednesday, 11 November, 8:15-10.00

Thursday, 12 November, 18:15-20:00 Wednesday, 18 November, 8:15-10.00 Thursday, 19 November, 18:15-20:00

Course Description

This course studies the possibilities, pitfalls and politics of peace mediation as a strategy to prevent, resolve or transform violent conflict. While traditionally focused on facilitating the end of civil wars, peace mediation practice has developed a much wider reach including in situations of turbulent political transitions, or chronic violence in cities or borderlands. This course therefore offers novel perspectives on peace mediation beyond civil wars by expanding the understanding about the 'who', 'how', and 'when' of peace mediation. It also aims to unpack sensitivities and demystify practical issues involved in the engagement with armed groups and the management of contentious change processes. By taking this 6 credit course, students will develop a nuanced and at the same time practical understanding about the opportunities and limitations of mediation processes in a range of conflict settings. Students will also find key intellectual foundations and practical guidance to prepare themselves for their own leadership in conflict resolution.

PROFESSOR Achim Wennmann

ASSISTANT

Aikokul Arzieva Office hours

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Syllabus

The strategic landscape of violent conflict is rapidly changing in many parts of the world. New types of armed actors with fluid affiliations and transnational connections are defining conflict theatres in cities or distant borderlands. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and other systemic risks are increasing and foster new conflict dynamics that do not easily fall within the categories of ‘inter-state’ or ‘civil’

wars. In light of these developments, this course investigates the possibilities, pitfalls and politics of negotiated exits from violent conflict and contentious political transitions. It has the overall objective to clarify the conceptual foundations and practical dimensions of peace mediation and to demystify the opportunities and limits of dialogue processes as an instrument of conflict resolution.

The course consists of an introductory segment and five topic segments, as well as attendance of at least three events of Geneva Peace Week (GPW), 2-6 November 2020. The introduction focuses on key concepts and approaches, as well as issues and dilemmas. The topic segments are a horizon scan of several key themes and include testimonies of key experts and in class discussions. The themes include ‘Participation, national dialogues and inclusive process designs’; ‘Dealing with violence and crime in mediation processes’, ‘Peace mediation, International Geneva, and

Switzerland’, ‘Economic dimensions of peace processes’ and ‘The future of peace mediation’. The course focuses on a variety of case studies reflecting dialogue processes related to different types of violent conflict in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe. The reading list draws on the work of key institutions working in the field of peace mediation.

The course requires students to be open to interdisciplinary thinking and to perspectives from different professions. Building on a mix of readings from academic and practitioner sources and using several interactive teaching methods (e.g. consultancy exercise, debate, role play), students will develop a nuanced and at the same time practical understanding about the evolution of peace mediation over the last three decades and about the opportunities and limitations of mediation processes in different conflict settings. Students will also develop key intellectual foundations and benefit from practical guidance to prepare themselves for their own leadership in conflict resolution. Due to the interactive nature of the course, this class is not open for auditors.

The course will be graded through a research paper (two-thirds of the grade), and class participation and a GPW blog text (two-thirds of the grade).

The research paper should focus on a subject situated broadly within the overall topic and themes discussed in this class. The process towards the final research paper will include the following steps and deadlines. All deliverables must be submitted electronically to the assistant by e-mail.

 Step 1: Proposition of a paper topic, including (a) a research question; and a description of (b) why finding an answer to this question is important, (c) what scholarly literature this question is in conversation with, and (d) the method used to answer the question. Length: 300 words; deadline 7 October 2020.

 Step 2: Literature review and revised paper proposition: Identify the key 15-20 sources relevant to answer the question; situate the topic of the paper in the relevant academic literature;

and articulate key points from these sources for your paper. Also include a revised proposition of your paper topic (step 1). Length: 1,000 words + bibliography. Deadline: 28 October 2020.

 Step 3: Paper structure, including a (a) draft executive summary (200 words); (b) draft

introduction (500 words); (c) draft paper outline composed of 3 section headlines and 6-8 topic sentences per section; and (d) draft conclusion. Length: 2-3 pages (no references or bibliography needed at this stage); deadline 11 November 2020.

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 Step 4: Final research paper fully referenced. Length 5,000 words (all in); deadline 4 December 2020.

Class participation and GPW blog text: The grade includes presence in class, participation in group work, production on deadline of paper research process. The GPW blog text should have the length of 500-1000 words should be a creative and thought provoking analysis of a topic presented during Geneva Peace Week. Deadline: 11 November 2020.

All readings for this class are available in the Moodle designed for this course.

Part I: Introduction to peace mediation

Wednesday, 16 September, 8:15-10:00

Class 1: Concepts and approaches

1. John Darby (2001) The Effects of Violence on Peace Processes. Washington DC: United States Institute of Peace. Chapter 1: The Terrain of Peace, pp.4-5.

2. Jay Folberg and Alison Taylor (1984) Mediation: A Comprehensive Guide to Resolving

Conflicts Without Litigation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Chapter 1: Development, Definition, and Functions of Mediation, pp.1-17.

3. Friedrich Glasl (1982) The Process of Conflict Escalation and Roles of Third Parties. In Gerard B.J. Bomers and Richard B. Peterson (eds.) Conflict Management and Industrial Relations.

The Hague: Kluwer Nijhoff Publishing, pp. 119-140.

4. Christine Cheng, Jonathan Goodhand, and Patrick Meehan (2018) Securing and Sustaining Elite Bargains that Reduce Violent Conflict: Synthesis Paper. London: Stabilisation Unit.

Executive Summary, pp. 1-6; Chapter 2: Defining the Project’s Approach, pp. 10-16.

5. Kevin P. Clements (2014) What is Legitimacy and Why Does It Matter for Peace?. In Alexander Ramsbotham and Achim Wennmann (eds.) Legitimacy and Peace Processes:

From Coercion to Consent. Accord No. 25. London: Conciliation Resources, pp. 13-15.

Optional readings

6. Ronald J. Fisher (2011) Methods of Third-Party Intervention. In Beatrix Austin, Martina Fischer, Hans J. Giessmann (eds.) Advancing Conflict Transformation: The Berghof Handbook II. Opladen/Framington Hills: Barbara Budrich Publishers, pp.157-182.

7. United Nations (2012) United Nations Guidance for Effective Mediation. New York: UN.

Class 2: Issues and dilemmas

1. Ben Hoffman (2009) Peace Guerrilla: Unarmed and in Harm’s Way, My Obsession with Ending Violence. Ottawa: Canadian International Institute for Applied Negotiation. Chapter 1:

Epiphany in Mostar, pp.1-12.

2. Jonathan Power (2015) Terrorists at the Table: Why Negotiating is the Only Way to Peace.

New York: St. Martin’s Press. Chapter 1: Why We Must Negotiate with Terrorists, pp.15-36.

3. Karen Umemoto (2006) The Truce: Lessons from the L.A. Gang War. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Chapter 7: Mediators: Negotiation from Within; pp.143-169.

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4. Priscilla Hayner (2018) The Peacemaker’s Paradox: Pursing Justice in the Shadow of Conflict.

Abingdon: Routledge. Chapter 1: The Problem, pp.3-8; Chapter 2: The Peace and Justice Debate, pp.9-20.

Optional readings

5. Theresa Whitfield (2019) Mediating in a Complex World. Oslo Forum Background Paper.

Geneva: Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

6. Michele Brandt, Jill Cottrell, Yash Ghai, and Anthony Regan (2011) Constitution-making and Reform: Options for the Process. Geneva: Interpeace. Part 1: Introduction to Constitution- making Processes, pp.13-33.

Class 3: Understanding local contexts

1. Volker Boege, Anne Brown, Kevin Clemens, and Anna Nolan (2009) ‘Building Peace and Political Community in Hybrid Political Orders’. International Peacekeeping, Vol. 16, No. 5, 599-615.

2. Finn Stepputat (2018) Pragmatic Peace in Emerging Governscapes. International Affairs 94(2) 399-41.

3. Ana Arjona, Nelson Kasfir, and Zachariah Mampily (2015) Introduction, in Ana Arjona, Nelson Kasfir, and Zachariah Mampily (eds) Rebel Governance in Civil War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-22.

4. Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020) States of Fragility 2020. Paris: OECD, Chapter 1 on main trends.

Optional readings

5. Óscar Martínez, Efren Lemus, Carlos Martínez, and Deborah Sontag (2016) Killers on a Shoestring: Inside the Gangs of El Salvador, New York Times, 20 November. English:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/world/americas/el-salvador-drugs-gang-ms-13.html;

Español http://www.nytimes.com/es/2016/11/21/la-mafia-de-pobres-que-desangra-el-salvador.

6. Matt Andrews, (2015). ‘Explaining Positive Deviance in Public Sector Reforms in Development’, World Development 74, 197–208.

Wednesday, 7 October, 8:15-10:00

Class 4: Engaging armed actors

1. Janice Gross Stein (1989) Getting to the Table: The Triggers, Stages, Functions, and Consequences of Prenegotiation. International Journal 44(2) 475-504.

2. Lakhdar Brahimi and Salman Ahmed (2009) In Pursuit of Sustainable Peace: The Seven Deadly Sins of Mediation. New York: Centre for International Cooperation at New York University.

3. Peter G. Thompson (2014) Armed Groups: The 21^st Century Threat. Boulder: Rowman and Littlefield. Chapter 3: What Are Armed Groups?, pp.53-74.

4. Fiona Terry and Brian McQuinn (2018) Roots of Restraint in War. Geneva: International Committee of the Red Cross. Chapter 1: Norms of Restraint, Organizational Structure and Socialization, pp. 17-25.

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5. Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiations (CCHN)(2018) CCHN Field Manual on Frontline Humanitarian Negotiations. Geneva: CCHN. Part 1: The Role and Task for the Frontline Negotiator, pp. 28-53.

6. Teresa Whitfield (2010) Engaging with Armed Groups: Dilemmas and Options for Mediators.

Mediation Practice Series No. 2. Geneva: Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Part II: Themes

Class 5: Participation, national dialogues and inclusive process designs

1. Christine Bell and Jan Pospisil (2017) Navigating Inclusion in Transitions from Conflict: The Formalised Political Unsettlement. Journal of International Development 29 (5): 576–93.

2. Christine Cheng, Jonathan Goodhand, and Patrick Meehan (2018) Securing and Sustaining Elite Bargains that Reduce Violent Conflict: Synthesis Paper. London: Stabilisation Unit; pp.

35-41.

3. Hannes Siebert (2012) National Peace and Dialogue Structures: Strengthening the Immune System from Within Instead of Prescibing Antibiotics. In Barbara Unger, Stina Lindström, Katrin Planta, and Beatrix Austin(eds) Peace Infrastructures: Assessing Concept and Practice.

Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series. Berlin Berghof Foundation.

4. Zahbia Yousuf (2018). Navigating Inclusion in Peace Transitions. Beyond Elite Bargains.

London: Conciliation Resources.

Optional readings

5. United Nations Department of Political Affairs (2017) Guidance on Gender and Inclusive Mediation Strategies. New York: United Nations.

6. Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) (2017) Practical Tips on ‘Process Design’ for Political and Peace Negotiations. Barcelona: IFIT.

Thursday, 15 October, 18:15-20:00

Class 6: Meet the expert

This class features a mediation professional that will share key insights on participation, national dialogues and inclusive process designs.

Class 7: Dealing with violence and crime in mediation processes

1. John Darby (2001) The Effects of Violence on Peace Processes. Washington DC: United States Institute of Peace. Chapter 3: Violence and its Implications, pp.38-75.

2. Kristine Höglund (2008) Peace Negotiations in the Shadow of Violence. Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff. Chapter 1, pp. 3-11.

3. Hugo van den Eertwegh (2018) Negotiating with Criminal Groups: From Prejudice to Pragmatism. In Achim Wennmann and Oliver Jütersonke (eds.) Urban Safety and

Peacebuilding: New Perspectives on Sustaining Peace in the City. Abingdon: Routledge, pp.70-94.

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4. James Cockayne (2016) Hidden Power: The Strategic Logic of Organized Crime. Oxford:

Oxford University Press. Chapter 2: The Strategic Organization of Crime, 15-44.

Optional readings

5. Noria Research (2019) Predatory Economies in Eastern Libya: The Dominant Role of the Libyan National Army. Geneva: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

6. Achim Wennmann (2014) ‘Negotiated Exits from Organized Crime? Building Peace in Conflict and Crime-affected Contexts’. Negotiation Journal, 30(3) 255-273.

This class features a mediation professional that will share key insights on addressing violence and crime in mediation processes.

Class 9: Peace Mediation, International Geneva, and Switzerland

1. Andreas Graf and David Lanz (2013) Conclusions: Switzerland as a paradigmatic case pf a small state peace policy? Swiss Political Science Review 19(3): 410-423

2. Laurent Goetschel (1999) Neutrality, a Really Dead Concept? Cooperation and Conflict 34(2), 115-139.

3. Federal Council (2018) Bons offices: bilan des démarches de facilitation et de médiation de la Suisse au niveau international. Bern: Swiss Confederation (also available in German)

4. Joe Parkinson and Drew Hinshaw (2017) Freedom for the World’s Most Famous Hostages Came at a Heavy Price, Wall Street Journal, 22 December.

Optional readings

5. Peter Baker, Ronen Bergman, David D. Kirkpatrick, Julian E. Barnes and Alissa J. Rubin (2020) Seven Days in January: How Trump Pushed U.S. and Iran to the Brink of War, New York Times, 11 January.

6. Federal Council (2020) Stratégie de coopération internationale 2021-2024. Bern: Federal Council (also available in German).

This class features a mediation professional that will share key insights on peace mediation, International Geneva, and Switzerland.

Wednesday, 11 November, 8:15-10.00

Class 11: Economic dimensions of peace processes

1. Achim Wennmann (2011) The Political Economy of Peacemaking. Abingdon: Routledge.

Introduction segments ‘Locating the Economic Dimensions of Peace Processes’ and

‘Overview’, pp. 12-18.

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2. Eaton, Tim, Christine Cheng, Renad Mansour, Peter Salisbury, Jihad Yazigi, and Lina Khatib (2019) Conflict Economies in the Middle East and North Africa. London: Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs.

3. Ben Miller, Brian Ganson, Sarah Cechvala, and Jason Miklian (2019) A Seat at the Table:

Capacities and Limitations of Private Sector Peacebuilding (Cambridge, MA: CDA Collaborative Learning Projects), pp-14-35.

4. Adam Kahane, ‘Learning from Mont Fleur Scenarios as a Tool for Discovering Common Ground’, 7(1) Deeper News 1; pp.1-5, (https://reospartners.com/wp-

content/uploads/old/Mont%20Fleur.pdf).

Optional readings

5. Noria Research (2019) Predatory Economies in Eastern Libya: The Dominant Role of the Libyan National Army. Geneva: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

6. Véronique Dudouet Janel B. Galvanek (2018) Financing Armed Groups during Ceasefires.

Oslo: NOREF. Skip section 3.2 Selected Case Studies, pp. 4-8.

7. Eduardo Moncada (2013) Business and the Politics of Urban Violence in Colombia. Studies in Comparative International Development 48(3) 308–330.

Thursday, 12 November, 18:15-20:00

This class features a mediation professional that will share key insights on the economic dimensions of peace processes.

Wednesday, 18 November, 8:15-10.00

Class 13: The future of peace mediation Select at least 3 topics.

1. TECHNOLOGY: UNDPPA and Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (2019) Digital Technologies and Mediation in Armed Conflict. New York and Geneva: UNDPPA and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, pp. 10-32.

2. YOUTH: Graeme Simpson (2018) The Missing Peace: Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security. New York: United Nations Populations Fund and United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office. Chapter 3 segment on ‘Meaningful Political Inclusion’, pp.63-76.

3. CITIES: Achim Wennmann (2018) Crossing the New Frontier: Peace Mediation in the City. Oslo Forum Paper. Geneva: Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

4. SYSTEMIC RISKS: Jakkie Cilliers, Julia Schünemann, Zachary Donnenfeld, Ciara Aucoin and Alex Porter (2017) Africa Futures: Key Trends to 2035. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.

5. AUTOCRATIZATION: Anna Lührmann and Staffan Lindberg (2019) A Third Wave of Autocratization is Here: What Is New About It? Democratization, 26(7) 1095-1113.

6. THE PERCEPTION OF PEACE: John Gittings (2012) The Glorious Art of Peace: From the Iliad to Iraq. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter 1 ‘The Perception of War and Peace’, pp.15-38.

7. THE OTHER: Ryszard Kapuściński (2008) The Other. London: Verso; pp.13-37, pp.77-92.

Thursday, 19 November, 18:15-20:00

This class features a mediation professional that will share key insights on the future of peace mediation.