The goal of this project is to enable Georgian and Abkhazian decision-makers
and other influential persons to discuss all aspects of the Georgian-Abkhazian
conflict - in particular, its root causes and dynamics - in a confidential
and structured, but informal and "off-the-record" setting
that uses an interactive group process.
In its first phase from 1997 to 2005 the process widely known in
the region as the "Schlaining Process" was a joint undertaking
organised by the Berghof Center for Constuctive Conflict Management
in cooperation with Conciliation Resources, London. 15 workshops have
been held in this format (see list of workshops on BRC
website).
Since 2005 the "Berghof Process" is coordinated by the
Berghof Foundation for Peace Support (BFPS). Specifically, the dialogue
process consists of a series of workshops attended by a group of 10
to 12 people, with equal representation from both sides of the conflict.
Although the composition of each workshop group is tailored to the
particular topic of discussion, nonetheless a core group of participants
from previous workshops is retained. This both ensures continuity,
while simultaneously permitting the sphere of influence to expand
and involve an ever-wider network of participants who are interested
in promoting peace in the region. Participants are supported by a
team of facilitators whose main task is twofold: 1) to elicit new
ideas that can contribute to constructive conflict management; and
2) to encourage the development of new concepts that can address the
long-standing political challenges in the region.
To effectively stimulate discussion, ethnopolitical conflicts from
different parts of the world are used as "prisms" through
which to examine the Georgia-Abkhazian conflict. We therefore hold
the meetings in regions shaped by conflict combining a “study
visit dynamic” with a “dialog dynamic”. The latest
two workshops no. 16 and no. 17 in the ongoing series were conducted
in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Cyprus
accounts for a very complex development between two communities
as well as a nuanced and complex international involvement.
The study visit dynamic which includes meetings with politicians
and academics from both sides of the conflict under examination
functions as a source of inspiration for the participants and
a prism through which core topics of today’s Georgian-Abkhaz
situation can be accessed. The cases under examination do not
provide ready made blue prints for dealing with the Georgian-Abkhaz
situation. However, similarities as well as differences provide
the basis for dialog among Georgian and Abkhaz. |
|
Crossing at
Ledra Palace Checkpoint, Nicosia |
In order to better facilitate intensive interaction among the participants,
the workshops take the form of both small-group and plenary-style
discussions when it comes to addressing the Georgian-Abkhaz situation.
In addition to information exchange, some of the other issues raised
at these workshops include, for example: the analysis of selected
topics (e.g. needs and fears of the parties, conditions for IDP return,
possible models of confidence-building), as well as the development
of mid- to long-term (speculative) scenarios. Cost-benefit analyses
- of the status quo, and various alternatives should different political
constellations emerge - likewise form part of the programme.
 |
|
 |
Group
work and discussion |
Importantly, both participants and facilitators are aware that the
ideas generated through the course of the workshops should be shared,
upon their return home, with the political and social reference groups
to which the participants belong, whilst at the same time preserving
the value of confidentiality that underpins the workshop ethos.
Partner organisations have been Conciliation Resources, UK (until
2005), the Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development,
Georgia and the Civic Initiatives Foundation, Sukhumi/'Abkhazia'.
Funding has been mainly provided by the Church Development Services
(EED), the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (EDA) and
the German Federal Foreign Office (AA).
Contact
Dr. Oliver Wolleh, Project Associate
Tel.: +49-(0)30-844.154-0
Fax: +49-(0)30-844.154-99
Email: oliver.wolleh[at]berghof-peacesupport.org
Dialogue Workshops on the Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict
Press Release Nicosia 2, September 2007 Workshop (English)
Press Release Nicosia 2, September 2007 Workshop (Russian)
Press Release Nicosia 1, December 2006 Workshop (English)
Press Release Nicosia 1, December 2006 Workshop (Russian)
Brief Report Nicosia 1 on the Dialogue Workshop
Further Publications
Annan Plan for Cyprus - (Russian Translation)
A Difficult Encounter – The Informal Georgian-Abkhazian Dialogue
Process (Oliver Wolleh)
(September 2006) - Berghof Report No. 12
Schwierige Begegnung - Der informelle georgisch-abchasische Dialogprozess
(Oliver Wolleh)
(September 2006) - Berghof Report Nr. 12
