The role of the civil society in conflict transformation and peacebuilding: the case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Abstract

The purpose of the present Master’s essay is to study the role of the civil society in conflict transformation and peacebuilding processes, as well as identify and highlight the role of the civil society for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement case and see whether there is a need for more civil society engagement in the settlement process. The research also reviews what has so far been done by the civil societies to this end and what is lacking in the meantime. The essay provides theoretical background on the conflict transformation, peacebuilding and the inclusion of civil society in these processes, which has gained much attention recently accompanied by several success stories on the international arena. The research also studies the history and the general situation of the civil society in all the three countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh) to understand to what extent they were active in this field. The study also makes an attempt to apply the theory of the conflict transformation to the reality of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process and concludes by stating the need for more civil society engagement in the process due to several important factors, as well as its possible positive influence on the process.