INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY INTRODUCED AT THE ALLIANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT PREVENTION AND RESOLUTION'S (AICPR) ANNUAL RETREAT

Washington, DC
October 2004

Every year the Alliance's Board, members, and staff meet for their annual retreat. They come together to share ideas and launch new collaborative projects. In October 2004, the Alliance held its retreat at Coolfont Resort, West Virginia and Dr. Ben Hoffman attended as a guest speaker.

Ben was given the opportunity to sit in on working sessions and then share the vision behind the International Academy for Reduction of Political Violence. In his presentation, Ben explained the International Academy's cycle of continuous learning that would link several Centres of Excellence worldwide to the Ottawa-based secretariat. This cycle of continuous learning would take key challenges confronting practitioners at the field level and circulate them to the research community, through the Centres of Excellence, for time-sensitive responses. The results of this vital link between practice and theory would be packaged into "best practices" for wide dissemination via the International Academy's global network.

Ben also noted that the International Academy would seek to have a direct downward impact on levels of political violence via the activation and professionalization of the peacebuilding field through projects such as the establishment of a generic core curriculum for graduate studies in peacework. The development of skills and having tools to persuade leaders to take peace action would be a central feature.

Dr. Hoffman had wanted and got direct feedback. Professor Rob Riccigliano, Chair of the Alliance's Theory and Practice Committee reacted on behalf of the Alliance. Rob raised some good questions, asking about the need for yet another new initiative that would add to the Alliance's already full workload. But in end Professor Riccigliano gave the International Academy a "thumb's up", noting the value of a global network collaborating on pressing challenges facing the field of international conflict resolution.

Discussion over drinks afterwards was also lively. Someone suggested that the term "Centre of Excellence" be changed to "Centre of Action" - stressing the need for action while recognizing that there are many centres doing excellent work worldwide, yet not all can become the eight to ten regional hubs in the International Academy's global network. Others expressed interest in joining and it was agreed that the idea of a formal role for the Alliance as a sponsor of the Academy would be raised at the next Board meeting.

One of the main points discussed was that this is a timely and important initiative that will fill a need in the post 9/11 world in which peacebuilding work currently takes place in. That is, the war on terror has highlighted the importance of security and the war in Iraq demonstrates the negative effects that can happen when the security agenda is pursued using unilateral force. To have a more balanced approach there is a need for credible organization that will help to advance a preventive and multilateral approach within international law.

Some saw the International Academy's vision of both helping to create negative peace and positive peace as vital but highly complex. They cautioned that keeping a sustained focus will be necessary for success: building long-term sustainable peace must remain the overall goal of the conflict resolution and peacebuilding community.

In keeping with the collaborative spirit that underlies the International Academy; the Founding Committee is highly appreciative of this top-quality feedback and everyone's expression of interest. They meet monthly to advance the International Academy and will incorporate elements of the retreat's lessons into the International Academy's plan.

The International Academy's Founding Committee is grateful to the Alliance Board for having invited Dr. Hoffman to attend their Annual Retreat.

Prepared by
Evan Hoffman
For the Founding Committee
International Academy

~questions, comments and feedback welcomed at: evan@newmathforhumanity.com