Assessing the efficacy of peace and conflict-resolution organizations (P/CROs) in South Africa, Northern Ireland, and Israel/Palestine was difficult because the regions shared no common definition of peace, the political situation in each was constantly evolving, and it was generally difficult to determine causality in complex social processes. Researchers in each region were asked to interview knowledgeable individuals about whether P/CROs had political or cultural influence on their conflicts. Across all regions, there was a consensus that P/CROs had little direct political impact, although Israeli P/CROs played a role in the Oslo process, and South African P/CROs in the Dakar meetings. Political contexts in Israel and South Africa also allowed P/CROs in these countries more access to political parties, and therefore somewhat more influence on the political system. Culturally, P/CROS in all regions were effective in promoting nonmainstream analyses of their conflicts, in introducing new tactics of social action, and in attracting media attention and so a measure of public acceptance. Although they may not have hastened peace, P/CROs probably slowed the course of violence.
Keywords: efficacy, Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland, peace and conflict-resolution organizations (P/CROs), political or cultural influence, South Africa