Draft:Institute for Integrated Transitions
{{AFC submission|d|corp|u=Extrasua|ns=118|decliner=SafariScribe|declinets=20241228101843|ts=20241028151739}}
{{AFC submission|d|v|u=62.83.12.174|ns=118|decliner=Lemonaka|declinets=20241009004319|small=yes|ts=20240821101722}}
{{AFC comment|1=Regional initiatives need more source. -Lemonaka 00:43, 9 October 2024 (UTC)}}
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{{Short description|Non-profit organisation in Spain}}
{{AfC topic|org}}
{{Draft article}}
{{UPE}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = The Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT)
| established = {{start date and age|2012}}
| logo = File:Institute_for_Integrated_Transitions_Logo.png
| logo_size = 300px
| successor =
| founders = Mark Freeman
| founding_location =
| dissolved =
| type = Non-governmental organization
| status = Non-profit organisation
| purpose = Aid transitions to peace and democracy
| headquarters = Barcelona, Spain
| coordinates =
| key_people = Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi (Chairman).{{Cite web |date=2022-06-15 |title=Institute for Integrated Transitions appoints Prof. Gyimah-Boadi as President of Board of Directors |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2022/06/institute-for-integrated-transitions-appoints-prof-gyimah-boadi-as-president-of-board-of-directors/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana |language=en-US}}
| website = {{URL|www.ifit-transitions.org/}}
}}The Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) is a non-governmental organisation based in Barcelona. It played a key role in the Colombia-FARC accords concluded in 2016, and is active across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
Founded by Mark Freeman{{Cite web |date=2020-05-11 |title=A Look Behind Closed Doors: Interview with Mark Freeman |url=https://hir.harvard.edu/a-look-behind-closed-doors-interview-with-mark-freeman/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Harvard International Review |language=en}} in 2012 following the onset of the Arab Spring, IFIT focuses on helping states transition out of cycles of war, crisis and authoritarianism.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-18 |title=Entrepreneurs as a key to peace: how fragile states can benefit from inclusive entrepreneurship |url=https://www.theneweuropean.eu/newsroom/latest-news/entrepreneurs-as-a-key-to-peace-how-fragile-states-can-benefit-from-inclusive-entrepreneurship |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=The New European |language=en-US}}
History and Objectives
The institute aims to help fragile and conflict-affected states transition sustainably out of war, crisis or authoritarianism.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-11 |title=A Look Behind Closed Doors: Interview with Mark Freeman |url=https://hir.harvard.edu/a-look-behind-closed-doors-interview-with-mark-freeman/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Harvard International Review |language=en |quote=The Institute for Integrated Transitions was set up at the onset of the Arab Spring. It was very much motivated by the idea of creating a think tank that would make easy and accessible key lessons about negotiations––and in particular transitions––available in the context of the Arab Spring, and more generally, to countries that might be emerging from conflict or authoritarian rule.}}{{Cite web |last=Carlin |first=John |date=2016-09-27 |title=How the seeds of corruption are sown in Spain's junior soccer leagues |url=https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2016/09/26/inenglish/1474892535_891447.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en |quote=the Institute for Integrated Transitions, which helps countries make the transition from war and dictatorship to peace}}{{Cite web |date=2017-11-09 |title=Constitutional reform, communications & political transformation: An interview with Mark Freeman |url=https://groundviews.org/2017/11/09/constitutional-reform-an-interview-with-mark-freeman/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Groundviews |language=en-US}} Its goals are stated as bridging social and political divides, reducing polarisation and breaking cycles of conflict or repression.{{Cite web |title=What do we really know about polarization? Q&A with Mark Freeman |url=https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/learning/learning-reflections/what-do-we-really-know-about-polarization-qa-with-mark-freeman/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Ford Foundation |date=20 June 2023 |language=en-US |quote=we launched the Global Initiative on Polarization to deepen understanding of the diverse causes and consequences of severe polarization in democratic and nondemocratic settings}}
The institute is active in Afghanistan{{Cite web |date=2020-12-21 |title=In War, No One Distributes Sweets: Assessing Transitional Justice Responses & Approaches in Post-2001 Afghanistan |url=https://areu.org.af/video/in-war-no-one-distributes-sweets/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit Organization |language=en-US}}, Colombia, Libya{{Cite web |last=Valente |first=Giorgia |date=2024-08-30 |title=Expert Predicts Revolution in Libya, Fears Crisis 'Far Worse' Than 2011 |url=https://themedialine.org/by-region/expert-predicts-revolution-in-libya-fears-crisis-far-worse-than-2011/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=The Media Line |language=en-US}}, Mexico{{Cite web |last=tcruvellier |date=2024-09-20 |title=Does transitional justice have anything to say on gang violence? |url=https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/136157-does-transitional-justice-have-anything-to-say-on-gang-violence.html |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=JusticeInfo.net |language=en-US}}, Nigeria{{Cite web |date=2024-07-20 |title=Preventing conflicts in Nigeria's Middle Belt - Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/preventing-conflicts-in-nigerias-middle-belt/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=dailytrust.com/ |language=en-US}}, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela{{Cite web |title=Creating a Favorable Environment for Negotiations in Venezuela |url=https://www.wola.org/events/creating-favorable-environment-negotiations-venezuela/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=WOLA |language=en-US}} and Zimbabwe.{{Cite web |title=Institute d'études avancées de Paris - Résidents 2024 |url=https://www.paris-iea.fr/fr/liste-des-residents/mark-freeman}} It operates globally through a decentralised group of 330 experts working in thematic practice groups, country brain trusts{{Cite web |date=2020-03-24 |title=Building Peace from the Middle: The Critical Work of National Brain Trusts - War Prevention Initiative |url=https://warpreventioninitiative.org/peace-science-digest/building-peace-from-the-middle-the-critical-work-of-national-brain-trusts/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-US}}, regional programmes{{Cite web |title=IFIT - Regional exchanges for peace, democracy and human rights |url=https://openaid.se/en/contributions/SE-0-SE-6-15683 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Openaid |language=en}} or global initiatives.{{Cite web |last=LaReau |first=Renée |date=2021-05-20 |title=Master of global affairs students awarded Hesburgh and Offenheiser Fellowships |url=https://keough.nd.edu/master-of-global-affairs-students-awarded-hesburgh-and-offenheiser-fellowships/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Keough School - University of Notre Dame |language=en-US}} It is headquartered in Barcelona.{{Cite news |last=Coll |first=Bernat |date=2016-09-30 |title=Freeman: "Si no se investiga el amaño, lo denunciaremos" |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2016/09/30/actualidad/1475252920_760643.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}} It's a member of three NGO networks: the Mediation Support Network{{Cite web |date=2012-10-05 |title=Member Organisations - Mediation Support Network |url=https://mediationsupportnetwork.net/member-organizations/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-US}}, alongside the Alliance for Peacebuilding{{Cite web |title=Our Members |url=https://www.allianceforpeacebuilding.org/our-members |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Alliance for Peacebuilding |language=en-US}}, and the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office{{Cite web |title=Member Organisations – European Peacebuilding Liaison Office |url=https://eplo.org/about-us/member-organisations/#toggle-id-22 |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-GB}}. The international advisory council includes Gareth Evans{{Cite web |title=Gareth Evans {{!}} Global Leadership Foundation |url=https://www.g-l-f.org/who-we-are/members/gareth-evans/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-US}}, Rafael Vilasanjuan{{Cite web |title=Equipo - Rafael Vilasanjuan |url=https://www.isglobal.org/ourteam-thinktank/-/profiles/6700 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=ISGLOBAL |language=es-ES}}, Sujit Choudhry{{Cite web |title=Bio – Sujit Choudhry |url=https://sujitchoudhry.com/bio/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |language=en-US}} and Shaharzad Akbar{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=WilmerHale Co-Hosts High-Level Convening on the Peace Treaty Initiative: Practice-Informed Lessons from International Arbitration |url=https://www.wilmerhale.com/insights/news/20230103-wilmerhale-co-hosts-high-level-convening-on-the-peace-treaty-initiative-practice-informed-lessons-from-international-arbitration |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.wilmerhale.com |language=en}}
Notable initiatives
= Brain Trusts and Colombia peace process =
The institute gained notability for its role in the Colombia peace process after 2012, serving as the international counsel to the Colombian delegation during negotiations with the FARC rebel group in Havana, leading to accords in December 2015.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-13 |title=Maduro y oposición buscan "amigos" en el extranjero |url=https://www.diariolasamericas.com/america-latina/informe-otalvora-maduro-y-oposicion-buscan-amigos-el-extranjero-n4121855 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=diariolasamericas.com |language=es-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-05-11 |title=A Look Behind Closed Doors: Interview with Mark Freeman |url=https://hir.harvard.edu/a-look-behind-closed-doors-interview-with-mark-freeman/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Harvard International Review |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2017-11-09 |title=Colombia, Sri Lanka and referendums: Interview with Juanita Goebertus |url=https://groundviews.org/2017/11/09/colombia-sri-lanka-and-referendums-interview-with-juanita-goebertus/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Groundviews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=tcruvellier |date=2018-10-30 |title=Mark Freeman: how you can negotiate justice and peace |url=https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/39378-mark-freeman-how-you-can-negotiate-justice-and-peace.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=JusticeInfo.net |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Diàlegs a Casa: 'Pau a Colòmbia', amb Mark Freeman i David Bondia |url=http://americat.barcelona/ca/pau-colombia-mark-freeman-david-bondia |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Casa Amèrica Catalunya}} The institute introduced national brain trusts in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2021-10-07 |title=Benue pensioners protest against alleged unpaid pension, gratuity |url=https://guardian.ng/news/benue-pensioners-protest-against-alleged-unpaid-pension-gratuity/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Creating a Favorable Environment for Negotiations in Venezuela |url=https://www.wola.org/events/creating-favorable-environment-negotiations-venezuela/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=WOLA |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Effectiveness of Humanitarian Exceptions to Sanctions: Lessons from the Syria Earthquake - Syrian Arab Republic {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/effectiveness-humanitarian-exceptions-sanctions-lessons-syria-earthquake |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Peace or Justice dilemma in Ukraine - Fundación Rafael del Pino |url=https://frdelpino.es/en_gb/conference/the-peace-and-justice-dilemma-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Rafael del Pino Foundation |language=en-GB}} These includes the Middle Belt Brain Trust in Nigeria{{Cite web |date=2024-07-20 |title=Preventing conflicts in Nigeria's Middle Belt - Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/preventing-conflicts-in-nigerias-middle-belt/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=dailytrust.com/ |language=en-US}} and a brain trust in Venezuela.{{Cite news |last=Attah |first=Solomon |date=28 Jun 2021 |title=PMB's approach to insecurity reduce rates of poverty, unemployment, ensures peace – Sule |url=https://businessday.ng/politics/article/pmbs-approach-to-insecurity-reduce-rates-of-poverty-unemployment-ensures-peace-sule/}}
= Global initiatives =
The Institute’s Peace Treaty Initiative seeks to develop an international law on peace negotiation.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=WilmerHale Co-Hosts High-Level Convening on the Peace Treaty Initiative: Practice-Informed Lessons from International Arbitration |url=https://www.wilmerhale.com/insights/news/20230103-wilmerhale-co-hosts-high-level-convening-on-the-peace-treaty-initiative-practice-informed-lessons-from-international-arbitration |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.wilmerhale.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=The Peace Treaty Initiative |url=https://www.almendron.com/tribuna/series/the-peace-treaty-initiative/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Revista de Prensa |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=Jo |first=Hyeran |date=2023-10-10 |title=Peace in Sudan is elusive for any would-be mediators – but a new window of opportunity has opened for outside intervention |url=http://theconversation.com/peace-in-sudan-is-elusive-for-any-would-be-mediators-but-a-new-window-of-opportunity-has-opened-for-outside-intervention-212926 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=BARCELONA |first=L. D. / |date=2016-05-27 |title=Mark Freeman: "Barcelona tiene el potencial para ser un centro de referencia para el bien común a nivel global" |url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20160527/entrevista-mark-freeman-director-ifit-5163202 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=elperiodico |language=es |quote=Beyond our international activities – such as the launch of the practical advisory group Law and Peace –, since September 2014 we have been collaborating with the BCN International Policy Sector Action Plan, which aims to make the city a place of attraction for NGOs}} The Global Initiative on Polarization, in collaboration with Ford Foundation, deals with what polarisation is and how to tackle its negative effects.{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.pressreader.com/mexico/el-universal/20230909/282041921718454 |access-date=2024-01-09 |via=PressReader}}{{Cite web |last=Torreón |first=El Siglo de |date=2023-09-09 |title=El debate sobre la polarización: una actualización |url=https://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/2023/el-debate-sobre-la-polarizacion-una-actualizacion.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx |language=es}}{{Cite web |last=León |first=Juanita |date=2024-08-13 |title="La polarización es un hiperproblema y una grave amenaza": Mark Freeman |url=https://www.lasillavacia.com/silla-nacional/la-polarizacion-es-un-hiperproblema-y-una-grave-amenaza-mark-freeman/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=La Silla Vacía |language=es-CO}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-09 |title=Ford Foundation: frontline organizations and private/public partnerships hold keys to global COVID-19 recovery |url=https://www.fordfoundation.org/news-and-stories/news-and-press/news/ford-foundation-frontline-organizations-and-private-public-partnerships-hold-keys-to-global-covid-19-recovery/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Ford Foundation |language=en-US |quote=The Global Initiative on Polarization – a unique multi-year collaboration between The Ford Foundation and the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) – aims to bring a more global, practice-driven and solution-oriented perspective to the complex problem of polarization. Ford’s Playbook recognizes this growing threat to democracy and peace, and highlights how stemming the rise of polarization is critical to an equitable recovery}} IFIT defines polarisation as 'a prominent division or conflict that forms between major groups in a society or political system and that is marked by the clustering and radicalization of views and beliefs at two distant and antagonistic poles'.{{Cite web |title=Finding Common Ground {{!}} Overcoming Polarization |url=https://impact.economist.com/projects/path-to-depolarization/hyper-problem/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Ford Foundation |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Nabeel |title=What is Polarization Anyway? – BCB #53 |url=https://www.betterconflictbulletin.org/p/what-is-polarization-anyway-bcb-53 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.betterconflictbulletin.org |language=en}} The Initiative on Apex Court Appointments seeks to create a global protocol for the election of supreme court judges. In September 2024, IFIT launched the Constitution Hill Global Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments.{{Cite journal |last=Steinbeis |first=Maximilian |date=2024-09-20 |title=The Drama of Democracy |url=https://verfassungsblog.de/the-drama-of-democracy/ |journal=Verfassungsblog |doi=10.59704/af88ed8200de85b5 |issn=2366-7044}}
References
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