Dr Jeremy Ive, Senior Advisor © 2026
Core Principles
The missing link between development and security.
- Across the political divides
- Future-orientated
- Based on shared principles
Three Tracks of Peace Facilitation
Tracks One, Two, and Three:
- Not mutually exclusive
- Reinforce one another
Track One: High-level facilitation among those in positions of top leadership. Addresses the immediate steps required to be put into place for a peace settlement.
Track Two: Intermediate-level facilitation on a low-profile basis. Middle-distance in its focus.
Track Three: More specific focus: a region or locality, and/or single issues.
Track Two Peacebuilding: Two Functions
Catalysts
Build background trust to resolve sticking points.
Consensus-Builders
Develop and disseminate a common framework for peace.
Initial NPI Conference March 1987
- Document setting out constitutional alternatives
- Participants across racial and political divides
Newick Park Initiative (NPI) on South Africa: Consultations 1987 – 1991
Two Secret Track One Processes
Between…
- Senior Afrikaners and ANC outside SA
- SA Government and Mandela inside SA
A Relational Audit of NPI
5 Relational Principles (see The Relational Lens, Cambridge University Press, 2016):
- Parity: Mutual recognition.
- Directness: Quality communication.
- Continuity: Unfolded over time.
- Multiplexity: Breadth of knowledge.
- Commonality: Shared goals.
Key Elements of Relational Peacebuilding
- Shared principles
- Key people
- Safe and neutral venue
- A series of meetings
- Consensus built
- Transmitted to political leaders
Confidential but not secret: Chatham House rule.
Application: 7 Key Steps
1. Confidential Profile
Chatham House Rule | Safe space to facilitate sustainable consultations | Attend in personal capacities | Supportive consultation.
2. Maintaining Neutrality
- Non-partisan identity
- Personal capacities
- Neutrality in funding
3. Relational Principles
- Treat all as equals
- Facilitate direct communication
- Commit to a sustained process
- Encourage grasp of background
- Focus on shared values
4. Partnership & Complementary Roles
Leverage FSF’s political access… to act as a catalyst for initial dialogue while… using consensus-builders who help develop common frameworks for peace.
5. Catalysts: Mapping the Range of Actors
- Listening-first approach
- In touch with the principals
- Building personal trust
6. Consensus-Building: Bridging the Gap – MCD
- Start with practical cooperation
- Establish a “middle-distance” focus
- Facilitating “middle-distance” structures
- Research-led dialogue
7. Defining Long-Term Success
- Resolution of “sticking points”
- Platform creation
- Sustained dialogue
Summary: Process vs. Objective
| Process Step | Catalyst | Consensus-Builder | Realisation Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective | Open a secure, low-profile channel | Establish a shared framework | Smooth transition |
| Operational Mode | High confidentiality | Research-led | Transmitting pre-negotiated frameworks |
| Focus Areas | Resolving sticking points | Weighing constitutional alternatives | Implementing resilient, pre-agreed structures |