Information for our Friends

Recent events in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world painfully remind us that peace is our most precious, and most elusive, state of affairs. In this age of globalization, we are reminded that conflicts, whether between people, organizations or nation states directly affect and disrupt the lives of people, organizations and nation states near and far.

We are also reminded that peace is not a passive process, not something benignly placed upon us by some benevolent being. Rather, it is something that must be aggressively pursued on many levels of civil society and in many different ways. When obtained it must be nurtured constantly.

The Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) was founded in 1981 at George Mason University. It was the world's first M.S. and Ph.D. program in conflict resolution in the world. It remains in the forefront of this critical field today. Its major contributions in theory building and the development of the broadest curriculum in the field are universally recognized. ICAR's four primary functions -- research, theory, practice, and outreach -- address a consistent and coherent mission: "...to advance the understanding and resolution of protracted and deeply-rooted conflicts among individuals, groups, organizations, and communities throughout America and other nations..."

ICAR Scholars

ICAR scholars have produced ground-breaking research, and have developed both theoretical and practical applications that are known and applied by scholars and practitioners around the globe. ICAR faculty and alumni provide consultation and training in conflict analysis and resolution, negotiation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution to governmental and non-governmental agencies, including to the United Nations and the State Department, and to academic institutions and NGOs both here and abroad.

ICAR Research and Practice Sites

ICAR's outreach efforts have brought capacity building programs and contributed to peace processes in numerous countries including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, Cyprus, the Republic of Georgia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine and most recently, Rwanda and Colombia.

Facing a complex and dangerous new millennium, ICAR has displayed the intellectual acumen, international stature and rigorous academic regime that will produce the leaders necessary to help move the world toward a more peaceful future.