 Conflict is inevitable. Violence is preventable. Conflict is a natural, human phenomenon that impacts all communities and societies. People have the tools to struggle with conflict, which can be a force for constructive change and development. All societies have customs, traditions, and mechanisms to address conflict when it arises. Violence, however, is an expression of destructive conflict. In addition to tragedy, trauma, and devastating physical harm, violence breaks relationships and historical ties, creates a legacy of mistrust, and seriously undermines economic, political, and social development. Consensus’ work in Peace Building strives to strengthen the capacity of war-torn societies to address conflict without violence. We support communities not only in preventing, resisting, and overcoming violence, but also in building towards “positive peace” – ongoing and consistent cooperation and integration between and among groups. Imbedded in these efforts is a focus on justice, including access to human rights and development. Our initiatives recognize that peace building is a complex and long-term process, one which draws on a wide range of educational, political, developmental, humanitarian, and human rights initiatives and institutions. We support the peaceful resolution and transformation of conflict around the world through three interconnected areas of work: - Training & Education – we design and deliver a broad range of workshops that emphasize the cultural resources and experiences of the participants, institutional needs, and the uniqueness of the particular conflict
- Group Facilitation and Dialogue – our team performs in-depth needs assessments, customizes dialogue processes, and facilitates large-group discussions
- Programming – Consensus professionals evaluate programs, design dispute-resolution systems, design peace building programs, and implements peace building initiatives
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