NOREF's approach
The artwork "Mare Nostrum" by Torunn Skjelland and Vigdis Fjellheim. Curated by Kulturbyrået Mesén for the Nobel Peace Center and Statsbygg, 2015. Photo: Mesén
NOREF’s approach builds on three decades of Norwegian peace and reconciliation experience. For conflict diplomacy to achieve its aims, it needs to be conducted discreetly and with a long-term perspective in mind; in other words, it requires discretion, patience, and long-term commitment. Also, for NOREF to contribute in an effective and constructive way, it is crucial that we gain the trust of and access to the individuals, groups, and states that we engage with.
As facilitators of both formal and informal political dialogue, it is paramount that we make clear in both our words and our actions that the parties can expect from us an impartial approach that is without hidden agendas. Our work is rooted in the belief that it is the parties themselves who must find sustainable solutions to the disputes they are involved in, while our main task is to help create conditions that support their search for ways out of the conflict in which they are engaged.
Most situations we work with are unique. It is therefore only natural that NOREF's contributions to any given conflict-resolution process are adapted to the needs of the actors involved and the specific context in which they operate. Our support ranges from advice, via practical facilitation, to the provision of thematic expertise, either to one or more parties.