Conflict dates from the beginning of hu­man history and is probably here to stay. The survival of humankind on this planet will depend on how we manage the vari­ous features of conflict that is fueled not only by seemingly incompatible interests and values but also by hostilities (Ho-Won Jeong 2008, p.16). In the past decades, the world has witnessed an increase of con­flicts of different nature from international crises to civil wars, the world is engulfed in violence affecting the lives of millions of people, destroying homes, causing dis­placements, inflicting injuries and taking lives, and creating inequalities thus under­mining the possibility for countries to fully develop and societies to recover and flour­ish.

In efforts to address these challenges, various interna­tional actors, from govern­ments to multilateral, non-governmental organisations, religious leaders, women, and youth groups are today committed to end conflicts by intervening directly or indirectly in areas of crisis, but technical approaches to peacebuilding are no longer considered a viable solution. The answer is and must be a whole-of-society one and a more transformative ap­proach has to be adopted if we want to achieve sustain­able and durable peace. This must be our priority today in the understanding that peace is not just the absence of violence, but the creation of the political, social and economic conditions neces­sary for peace to last (United Nations System Staff College 2016, p. 11) conflicts through an in-depth analysis of the nature, roots, dynam­ics and trends, and stake­holders of the conflicts and surrounding environment in which they take place.

According to the United Na­tions, conflict analysis helps establish an accurate under­standing of the root causes, proximate causes, triggers, dynamics, and trends of con­flicts as well as stakehold­ers involved, impacts on the people, the operational environment and the actors providing the interventions (United Nations Conflict Analysis Practice Note 2016, P. 2).

In relation to development, a conflict analysis entails gen­erating a deeper understand­ing of inconducive develop­ment decisions and actions that lead to discrimination – and sometimes violence – against other groups and communities so that appro­priate mechanisms can be implemented to ensure that all groups and communities are included in the develop­ment process. Furthermore, conflict analysis can help identify the nature of the populations’ inherent resil­ience and elaborate ways to support and strengthen that resilience.

Applying a conflict analysis lens, therefore, prevents all actors (national and interna­tional) from concentrating resources and efforts only on the symptoms of conflict; conflict analysis supports national counterparts and governments to engage in effective political processes through an analysis of caus­es, nexuses, entry-points, and opportunities for interven­tions (United Nations Devel­opment Group 2016, p. 13).

In order to explore interven­tion strategies of managing and possibly resolving con­flicts, our objective must be to provide a comprehensive understanding of conflicts through an in-depth analysis of the nature, roots, dynamics, and trends, and stakeholders of the conflicts and surrounding environment in which they take place.

1. 1. The world is faced with some of the most challenging conflicts in decades from civil wars, uprisings, poverty, to human rights- and environmental-related, and violent extremism and terrorism.
   2. Conflicts affect the lives of everyone directly or indirectly, undermine state structures, erode economies of countries, and have spill-over effects that undermine the fabric of societies and world peace and security.
   3. Today’s conflicts require a systemic and inclusive approach, with the involvement of multistakeholders to find lasting, locally owned solutions and a comprehensive understanding of the context in which interveners operate.
   4. A comprehensive conflict analysis allows those involved in conflict sensitive work at the local, subnational, national, regional, or international levels to plan their interventions (large or small scale) based on sound evidence.
   5. Many of today’s professions seek to address specific comprehensive security needs that require effective assessment to ensure positive impact.
   6. Conflict analysis tools can be applied to all professions where needs assessment is required.

After successful completion of the training, participants should be able to:

• Better understand international security and conflicts from a human security perspective.
• Develop conflict-sensitive, sustainable, and people-centered strategies for interventions, conflict management, and conflict resolution.
• Better understand and conduct conflict negotiations and mediations.
• Use gained transferrable skills to enhance your studies, careers, and further personal and professional development.
• Critically consume information about and understand complex conflict situations.
• Expand working and expertise toolbox in international security.
• Co-author iSCAN strategy booklet.