This study investigated peace and conflict-resolution organizations (P/CROs) in three protracted conflicts in South Africa, Northern Ireland, and Israel/Palestine. P/CROs are citizen-initiated voluntary organizations that promote peace, reconciliation, and coexistence between parties to their conflicts, and the mutual recognition of the rights of each side. Comparative research on P/CROs faces theoretical and methodological challenges. They can be analyzed as elements of civil society, as social movement organizations, and as organizations focused on the resolution of conflict. P/CROs activities include service delivery, advocacy, dialog promotion, and consciousness raising. The study examined P/CRO characteristics such as membership, ideology, structure, financial and human resources, relations with other organizations, risks encountered, and impact on the conflict. Study methodology was evolutionary and iterative, and involved a three-phase selection procedure, research by local teams, and oversight by an international advisory board.
Keywords: comparative research, Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland, P/CRO activities, peace and conflict-resolution organizations (P/CROs), protracted conflicts, South Africa, study methodology, theoretical and methodological difficulties