Archives of the Committee for Conflict Transformation Support

Archive reference: Cwl CCTS

The Committee

The Committee for Conflict Transformation Support (CCTS) originated in 1992 as a committee of representatives from nongovernmental organisations including the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace Brigades International, Quaker Peace and Service, War Resisters International and Responding to Conflict. It aimed to co-ordinate and provide training in conflict resolution and mediation for local people in former Yugoslavia.

The original title, “Ad-hoc” HCA Training Committee (it had been formed in response to a Helsinki Citizens Assembly meeting), was changed to Coordinating Committee for Conflict Resolution Training in Europe (CCCRTE) in 1993. The Committee also provided a forum for exchange of information, discussion and evaluation of practical experience, and the development of cooperative or complementary work.

In 1997 the Committee changed its name to the Committee for Conflict Transformation Support (CCTS), to reflect a change in emphasis from training to support, in response to the needs of peace groups. The geographical remit also widened to include relevant work by the representative organisations. The Committee organised seminars to explore particular issues or areas of work, allowing wider participation and in-depth discussion. It published the CCTS Newsletter (later the CCTS Review), containing seminar papers and reports, reflective articles, book reviews and other features related to conflict transformation. Full text of publications is available on the CCTS website.

Representation on the Committee changed over the years as new organisations such as International Alert, Conciliation Resources, and Peace Direct became involved. Long-term members of the committee included Adam Curle, Diana Francis, Howard Clark, Guus Meijer, Michael Randle, and Bob Neidhardt. The CCTS was wound up at the end of 2009.

The Archive

Donated by the Committee, in 2009-2010, the Archive comprises minutes of the committee, correspondence, and newsletters.

This archive contains extensive personal data on individuals and access is therefore restricted under the Act. At present this applies to the whole of series 1 and 2 (minutes and correspondence). More detailed cataloguing will make it possible to refine this restriction. Researchers should contact Special Collections staff for information about the status of the material they wish to view.