1. Conservation and Conflict Resolution: Crossing the Policy Frontier Saleem H. Ali, Ph.D. University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, September, 2005

2. From theory to policy Using dilemmas of common aversion rather than dilemmas of common interest as the frame of reference (Ali, Saleem H. “Environmental Planning and Cooperative Behavior.” Journal of Planning Education and Research, Vol. 23, No. 2, December 2003) Moving from focus on quantity to quality, from distributive to integrative bargaining

3. Some questions to consider –Are environmental issues a major cause of the conflict? –If not, what level of trust is a necessary prerequisite to the use of environmental issues in conflict resolution? –Would environmental cooperation lead to larger cooperative outcomes -- moving from low politics to high politics?

4. Kinds of Green-peace-building Sister Cities Program -- post-World War II phenomenon crystallized by Eisenhower in 1956 Debt-for-Nature Swaps: examples between US and Bolivia Parks for Peace: most existing ones are between friendly countries and hence

5. Policy Challenges and Solutions Endogeniety: perception that conservation is a consequence rather than a constituent of peace-building –Solution: Dialectical policy – consider conservation as a trust-building activity in a feed-back loop Preexisting local conflicts undermine peace-building by labeling it as cooptation and dispossession –Solution: Resolve micro-conflicts beforehand, acknowledge past grievances and make process transparent to local residents Conservation agencies are external to security decision apparatus –Solution: Make conservation a strategic asset in foreign policy matters with participation of scientists and environmental agency staff in deliberations International NGOs that may work in these are are hesitant to interfere in border issues due to fear of denied access or political retribution – or some may follow a confrontation approach that leads to their marginalization –Solution: NGOs should play an epistemic role – exchanging knowledge between parties and mediating for community members on all sides

6. Planning for Cooperation