Dilemmas and Goal Conflicts in Peacemaking

Research & transfer project "Though Choices"

Research & transfer project "Though Choices: Dilemmas & Decisions in Peacemaking"

What sacrifices are we prepared to make in the name of peace? How should we deal with warmongering autocratic regimes that reject our own values constitutive values but with which we are in a delicate relationship of dependency? Should we negotiate humanitarian corridors for the suffering population with non-state armed groups ("terrorists"), even if we have to accept their blackmail strategies in that process?

Even with the best of intentions, it is very difficult not to cause damage in such complex dilemma situations; compromises are virtually unavoidable. The interdisciplinary Tough Choices Cluster of Viadrina, ETH Zurich and Kyiv Mohyla Academy is developing approaches that help to find targeted, damage-reducing and often even value-creating solution options in such situations. Special attention is paid to “red lines”, which traditionally create particularly difficult dilemmas (see Publications and Activities).

The "Tough Choices" research cluster brings together experience-based and theoretical knowledge on dealing with dilemmas and conflicting goals from various disciplines  and fields of action. In the spirit of practice research, the entire research process is designed as a continuous feedback loop between researchers and practitioners in order to ensure the relevance, validity and usability of the results.

An initial prototype for systematic dilemma management was created in 2019. Since then, it has been used to diagnose and find solutions to dilemmas and goal conflicts in various contexts and has been continuously developed further. In academic teaching (see the ViAPACS programme) and in capacity building for diplomats, think tanks and civil society actors, dilemma management has become a special focus of the CPM.

The project built on the results of the research project “Managing Boundaries in Triadic Negotiation Processes” (2014-2016, funding: B/Orders in Motion), in which the actions of third parties along normative and procedural boundaries were examined.

toughchoices-(c)-IKM

Project overview

Funding:

Lead

  • Dr Anne Holper (previously Kraus), European University Viadrina
  • Dr Simon Mason, ETH Zurich

Research

  • Dr Owen Frazer, Berghof Foundation
  • Dr Sara Hellmüller, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
  • Dr Anne Holper (previously Kraus), European University Viadrina
  • Prof Dr Lars Kirchhoff, European University Viadrina
  • Dr Tetiana Kyselova, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
  • Dr Dana Landau, swisspeace / University of Basel
  • Dr Simon Mason, ETH Zurich
  • Dr Julia Palmiano Federer, Ottawa Dialogue
  • Dr Valerie Sticher, ETH Zurich

Management

  • Dr Christian Hochmuth

 

Dr Anne Holper