Conflict Resolution Institute

Mission & Vision

Conflict in the twenty-first century poses a major threat to human security.

From family quarrels to school shootings, community and industrial disputes, and civil and international war, the expansion of anger, hatred and violence is alarming. It is absolutely essential to understand the ways conflicts are resolved, to access their value, and to appraise the institutions through which they are controlled.

Conflict Resolution as a distinct field of inquiry represents a collection of new approaches to social management and policy orientation focused on developing and implementing different perspectives and procedures to confront issues of human concern with greater wisdom and effectiveness.

At the University of Denver, we believe it is important to explore theories, methods, approaches, and practical techniques in conflict resolution that cross conventional disciplinary boundaries. We are in a position to become the premier research center in the Rocky Mountain region, and indeed the hub of Conflict Resolution focus between the Mississippi and the West Coast. Our goal—to establish an intellectually rich environment for exploring central issues to help understand and explain mechanisms of conflict de-escalation, peaceful solutions, and reconciliation between parties—derives from a mission to encourage commitment to a harmonious world by exploring the deeper struggles that traditionally separate people and developing ideas to build an overall organic relationship.

Conflict Resolution faculty members have identified three themes that represent common interests and areas for further program development to guide the Center for Conflict Engagement:

• The Artful Practitioner – drawing mastery in practice from several sources of wisdom: the latest theory and approaches, mechanisms for evaluation and reflection, and ethical standards of behavior.
• Ethnic Conflict Assessment – analyzing conflict characteristics, sources and dynamics, and recommending whether and how to intervene.
• Reconstruction, Reconciliation, and Restoration – capacity-building and restoring the community fabric in ongoing intractable conflicts, and post-conflict settings.

We intend to expand our community by admitting more students into the graduate program, supporting researchers—including opportunities for visiting professionals and post-doc scholars—and building a larger base of dedicated supporters. Application procedures for students and scholars are located under the graduate degree program and center for research and practice. Supporters should send an email to cri@du.edu outlining their interests.