Assessment

The HD Centre applies a rigorous assessment and evaluation process to a conflict, before committing to an involvement. Initially. the HD Centre monitors conflicts wherever they may be. These are periodically reviewed and a formal assessment may be initiated if the HD Centre believes one is warranted.

The process
The first step involves a detailed analysis of the context and causes of the conflict, its particular situation and the character of the leading personalities. This is a process of research of secondary data and consultations with experts, which leads to an internal report.

The report is reviewed by the HD Centre's senior staff and, if appropriate, the assessment process moves to the next stage: a field mission to the area to meet key actors, including representatives of the parties involved in the conflict. This direct contact is crucial in determining:

• whether mediation efforts are timely;
• whether other mediation efforts already exist; and
• whether the HD Centre would be welcomed by the parties. It is the HD Centre's professional ethic not to intervene or offer an intervention if there is already a mediator.

The results of this field mission, or series of visits, then provide the basis for a decision as to whether to begin a new project.

The value
The assessment process serves an important purpose. It allows the HD Centre to undertake a full evaluation of any particular conflict, giving it insights and understanding. These are crucial for making a sound and well-informed decision on the future involvement of the HD Centre and if so, what strategies to adopt.

The HD Centre's assessments have shown their value in the past even if they have often led to a decision not to initiate a formal project. In all cases, project assessments have been opportunities to gather useful information on the situation and develop relationships for the future.