In order to respond effectively to the global challenges presented
by violent conflicts and engage in sustainable and effective peacebuilding,
innovative concepts and approaches are required..
Our overall mission is three-fold:
- Advocate and apply the Systemic Conflict Transformation approach
to the prevention and transformation of violent conflicts
- Support peace processes by enhancing networks of internal and
external organisation in both politics and civil society
- Foster creative, effective and durable peace initiatives
Background
Located in Berlin, the capital city of Germany, BFPS was
established in 2004. Initial impetus for the organisation grew out
of the experiences of the Sri Lanka project, which was first undertaken
and coordinated by the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict
Management (BRC). Given the achievements of this work in Sri Lanka,
BRC subsequently was inspired to more broadly apply key insights from
these experiences to other conflict zones. However, this decision
to expand its activities to new regions moved beyond the organisation's
sphere of activities and therefore required a new managing entity.
Hence the creation of BFPS, which now fulfils this role.
Set up as a sister organisation to the research centre, our work
is designed to make a practical, hands-on contribution to the issue
of transforming violent conflict. The complementary, but distinct
nature of the work of these two organisations thus combines to produce
a dynamic synergy that enables novel possibilities for both better
understanding and more effectively transforming violent conflict.
Where BFPS offers practical experience in the field, BRC supports
and develops this work from a research-oriented perspective. The on-going
exchange of expertise is readily facilitated by our shared office
space
