Search for Common Ground

Founding Year: 1982

Staff:

Budget: $45.5m (2017)

John Marks (Founder)

A peacebuilding organization that uses a method called conflict transformation. Tries to “change the everyday interactions between groups of people in conflict, so they can work together to build up their community, choosing joint problem-solving over violence.” Active in over 30 countries worldwide with a team consisting mostly of local experts (83%). Video and radio media reaches over 50 million people in 21 countries every year. Focuses predominantly on Africa, the Middle East and Asia in that order.
Works with artists, children and youth, media professionals, military and police, political leaders, prisoners, religious leaders, and women.
Projects deal with conflict sensitivity; disarmament, demobilization and re-integration; fair and responsible media; gender equality; governance democracy and elections; religious engagement; natural resource conflict; reconciliation; refugee and internal displacement issues; security sector reform; sexual and gender violence; violent extremism.

Programs:

  • Dialogue, e.g. mediation, training youth leaders, back channel diplomacy;
  • Media, e.g. documentaries, video reports, TV dramas, call-in radio shows and music videos
  • Community, e.g. soccer matches, participatory theater, shared farming projects.
  • Co-organizes the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum. A monthly platform in Washington that aims to (1) provide information from a wide variety of perspectives; (2) explore possible solutions to complex conflicts; and (3) provide a secure venue for stakeholders from various disciplines to engage in cross-sector and multi-track problem-solving.

Publications:

 


No items found

Search for Common Ground contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals


  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
    Calls for an end to poverty globally by 2030 and promotes increased access to basic services and social protection.
    View archive
  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    Aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
    View archive
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well Being
    Aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, by reducing mortality rates and increasing access to equitable health care for men and women.
    View archive
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
    Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
    View archive
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    Aims to end gender discrimination in all forms and promote equal opportunity for all women and girls in terms of education, career, and sexual/reproductive rights.
    View archive
  • SDG 6 -Clean Water and Sanitisation
    Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by promoting global access to adequate sanitation and hygiene.
    View archive
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by promoting affordable and reliable energy sources.
    View archive
  • SDG 8 -Decent Work and Economic Growth
    Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
    View archive
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
    Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.  
    View archive
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    Aims to achieve economic growth by reducing inequalities regarding social, economic and political opportunities and freedoms.
    View archive
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    Aims to promote the globalization of sustainable cities and communities in turn providing universal safe and affordable housing.
    View archive
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    Aims to create responsible and sustainable practices involving consumption and production through efficiently using natural resources.
    View archive
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
    Calls to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts through global awareness, education, and integration into government policies.
    View archive
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    Calls to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and prevent and reduce marine pollution in order to protect ecosystems and achieve healthy oceans.
    View archive
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
    Aims to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
    View archive
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    Aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Calls to reduce all forms of violence and deaths related to violence and to end abuse and exploitation
    View archive
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    Aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development by mobilizing domestic resources in order to provide support for developing countries.
    View archive

  Organization Type

  Geographic Foci

 Subjects

Related Content

A joint effort between the German Federal Foreign Office and adelphi, a Berlin-based think tank. The initiative emphasizes the importance of incorporating climate considerations into foreign policy decisions, requiring risk…

A research center in international relations. It has significantly contributed to understanding war’s profound effects on humanity’s spiritual, intellectual, and material progress. The institute is dedicated to constructively resolving conflicts,…

A center committed to developing knowledge and practices that encourage constructive conflict resolution, effective cooperation, and social justice. They collaborate with groups, organizations, and communities seeking to learn conflict resolution…