Conflict Management in International Missions

Olav Ofstad is an independent researcher and consultant in the field of conflict management, humanitarian assistance and development.

'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 draws on a mixture of academic and policy wisdom, and personal experience. It provides a step by step guide for the many people involved, and especially newly entering, such missions and covers a comprehensive range of issues they may face.' -- Oliver Richmond, University of Manchester, UK 'Olav Ofstad’s well-structured field guide covers various topics ranging from conflict theory and pre-deployment mission preparation to peacebuilding engagement. In doing so, Ofstad critically reflects the peacebuilder’s involvement in conflict. Highly relevant for practice and theoretically solid, this book is a much-needed bridge between academia and conflict management on the ground. Olav Ofstad has written a comprehensive field guide for both newcomers and experienced peacebuilding staff alike. We highly recommend this book especially for consultants with monitoring and evaluation assignments: It can serve as a guide for conflict-sensitive project management.' -- Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR)'Olav Ofstad’s practical field guide to conflict management and peacebuilding is a MUST READ for practitioners, planners and trainers involved in the complex business of international peace missions. The book distils civil-military lessons from specific missions and provides useful guidance for implementation. 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'If you already are an experienced international missions operator, you want to become one or you just like to enhance your knowledge of how field missions operate, I highly recommend this book. Bring it with you in the field and use it.' -- Øyvind Dammen rt Colonel, Dammen Consultants Norway, www.humiliationstudies.org/news/'...this is a relevant and engaging book for people starting out in the field of international development. Ofstad gives many suggestions for further reading, listing both psychological and NGO publications. It is a practical guide that gives a brief overview of relevant psychological principles without turning into a textbook filled with unnecessary descriptions of the related experiments.' -- Professor Rebekah Phillips DeZalia, American Psychological Association“In combining theory and practice, Ofstad delivers an invaluable guide to anyone embarking on a task in the field of peace building. He also presents much needed insights and perspectives on field realities that are of critical importance to policy makers. Thereby, in combining theoretical insights with field perspectives, Ofstad provides an opportunity for all of us working in this field to better our mutual peace building efforts.” - Carina Lamont, PhD Candidate, Kent University, Public International Law

• Introduction 1. What you should know about conflict 2. Preparing for mission 3. Establishing in the field 4. Mediation 5. Influence: Psychology versus traditional approaches 6. Peacebuilding 7. When you or your agency becomes party to a conflict Conclusion