Peacebuilding
Relational Peacebuilding Initiatives (RPI) applies relationist thinking to conflict resolution between communities and between nations.
KOREA
RPI is putting plans in place to conduct a high-level, confidential process to build trust across the political divides to envision a common peaceful future for Korea and all its neighbours, and to build the necessary background trust in order to enable the achievement of a sustainable social and economic settlement in that country.
The objectives are:
FIRST, to show how a relational approach can provide a framework for public policy in the Korean Peninsula drawing on the shared traditions and values of the Korean people.
SECOND, to explore the feasibility and growth potential of a relational approach across the major sectors of agriculture, industry and the public sector.
The proposals have now been fleshed out in a major book by Michael Schluter: No Other Way to Peace in Korea? A Practical Path to Reunification.
Relational Peacebuilding Initiatives (RPI) is a Swiss Association established in canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It facilitates behind the scenes consultations which aim to help turn major political conflicts into lasting and satisfactory settlements.
Through sustained and comprehensive experience in its peacebuilding initiatives in South Africa, Rwanda and Sudan, RPI has developed a Track Two peacebuilding methodology which is applicable in many conflict-situations around the world.
South Africa
From 1986, a relational peacebuilding methodology was developed and implemented within the context of what then became known as the Newick Park Initiative (NPI). The process led on to the involvement of senior members of the ANC together with SA Government officials. Through regular meetings held in England and South Africa, NPI provided a safe context in which discussion on difficult problems could be carried out amicably and informally, but also objectively, without the media pressure to make partisan statements. This continued until April 1991 and helped to ensure the peaceful transition there from white supremacist rule to fully racially-inclusive democracy.
NPI was an evidence-based process founded on the building of trust and the honest and open sharing of insights with the goal of a just and fully-inclusive peace. Each of the conferences was underpinned by detailed research and, as the process continued, drew on top-level expertise from leading South African and international experts.
These meetings were able to identify goals and strategies on which there could be a high degree of consensus on the basis of shared values, and at the same time to narrow down areas of conflict and disagreement where further research and consultation was needed to bring the parties to the negotiation process closer together. NPI provided a crucial contribution to the peace process in South Africa and helped to ensure the peaceful transition there from white supremacist to democratic rule.