Conflict Management in International Missions: A Field Guide
Published by Routledge in its Security and Conflict Management series, January 2015. For international personnel, training institutions — and anyone wanting to broaden their understanding of conflict.
The positive response to Conflict Management in International Peace Operations prompted Olav Ofstad to write this field guide. Written in clear, to-the-point language, it gives a broad understanding of conflict management — from cultural understanding and conflict-related communication to the challenges of third-party intervention. Personal conflicts are discussed, as are conflicts between organizations and local actors, and their security implications.
Some of the tools presented are not common in conflict literature. The chapter Influence: psychology versus traditional approaches stands out, transforming research results from social psychology into practical tools for peace.
Peacebuilding is an essential part of the book. Beyond a broad understanding of the topic, it offers advice on a wide range of challenges while discussing shortcomings in some of today's peacebuilding practices.
Chapters
- Introduction
- What you should know about conflict
- Preparing for missions
- Establishing yourself in the field
- Mediation
- Influence: psychology versus traditional approaches
- Peacebuilding
- When you or your agency becomes party to a conflict
- Conclusions
Available from Routledge, Amazon, Apple Books and other leading web stores.
View at RoutledgeA "pracademic jewel"
This very useful book will appeal to the tens of thousands of people worldwide who are involved in the various peace missions in conflict-affected areas. It provides a step-by-step guide for the many people involved, especially those newly entering such missions.Dr. Oliver RichmondProfessor of International Relations, Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Manchester
A MUST READ for practitioners, planners and trainers involved in the complex business of international peace missions. I would have been more effective had this field guide been in my kit bag during my time in Cambodia, Timor-Leste and Libya.Major General Michael G. Smith (Ret.)Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University
Highly relevant for practice and theoretically solid, this book is a much-needed bridge between academia and conflict management on the ground. We highly recommend it especially for consultants with monitoring and evaluation assignments.Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR)
If you already are an experienced international missions operator, want to become one, or just want to enhance your knowledge of how field missions operate, I highly recommend this book. Bring it with you into the field and use it.Colonel Øyvind Dammen (Ret.)Dammen Consultants Norway
In combining theoretical insights with field perspectives, Ofstad offers a much-needed bridge between theory and practice. I strongly recommend this book to practitioners and policy makers alike.Carina LamontPhD Candidate, University of Kent, Public International Law
This book represents one of the most valuable “pracademic” contributions to date, based on the author's practical experience from various field missions.Dr. Siniša VukovićPeace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Vol. 23 (1), 2017
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