Civil Society Dialogue, Media and Public Awareness and Political Dialogue

The Consortium Initiative is a coalition of international non-governmental organisations working to improve the prospects for a resolution of the conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis over Nagorny Karabakh. Working in different spheres, the initiative seeks to bring together civil society activists, politicians, journalists and ordinary people in an effort to build trust across the conflict divide and encourage communities to engage in addressing a problem of such vital importance to them all.

The initiative was established in 2003 and is led by International Alert, Conciliation Resources and LINKS with the financial support of the British government.

Tens of thousands of people were killed during the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, and more than a million were displaced. Despite more than a decade of peace talks after the 1994 ceasefire, a permanent settlement remains elusive. As disillusionment with the peace process has set in, attitudes have hardened, prejudices and stereotypes have been reinforced by largely negative media coverage, and the possibilities for reasoned public debate have been limited. Dialogue across the conflict divide has been limited to mostly ad hoc visits between capitals, while excluding those most directly affected by the conflict. Political debate has focused on absolutist positions rather than addressing the compromises that will be needed for a negotiated peace settlement. The Consortium Initiative has been working with partners across the region to address these issues systematically.