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A Web Resource for Achieving Peace

© Joan Fumia

The term conflict resolution is usually associated with mediation or arbitration, processes that are used as alternatives to litigation in resolving disputes and lawsuits. Conflict resolution as a topic, however, can also encompass the field of peace studies or peace work. Peace work can be thought of as large scale efforts to settle disputes that arise between ethnic groups, religious groups, and even nations. And because peace work involves groups, often large groups, the tasks are likely to entail the prevention of mass violence, including war, and the mediation of peace resolutions and treaties.

There are many web sites devoted to peace studies and nonviolent solutions to the world's problems. Many of these sites have an international audience and are based throughout the world. One such site, however, is based right here in the United States and has been in existence for more than a decade. When I first reviewed this site several years ago, it was called ConflictNet. The site has since been incorporated into a more extensive site named PeaceNet that can be found at http://www.igc.org/gateway/pnindex.html PeaceNet is one of four networks operated by the Institute for Global Communications (IGC), a nonprofit group based in San Francisco, CA. IGC provides internet tools and services to "progressive" organizations involved in peace work, human rights, environmental protection, and economic and social justice. In addition to PeaceNet, IGC also manages EcoNet, WomensNet, and AntiRacismNet.

PeaceNet consists of 17 different searchable categories. The "Nonviolence" category seems to be the one that has the most links to conflict resolution-related sites. The links include very traditional dispute resolution sites, such as the Academy of Family Mediators and the American Arbitration Association, but also include sites with less of a direct connection to conflict resolution, such as the Africa Policy Information Center.

I like PeaceNet as research tool because it is fully searchable, easy to navigate, and offers an iconic legend that further categorizes the listed links by the types of services they provide to their readers and subscribers. So for example, if one were searching for sites that offered discussion boards or sites that carried on legislative tracking, one could quickly scan the list for the sites designated by those particular icons. The legend also contains icons for interactive action alerts, newsletter or editorial content, and audio/video content.

PeaceNet's content is obviously influenced by the political bent of the parent group, IGC, but it is, nonetheless, a useful resource.

Until next time...

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