Working Together for a More Peaceful World

Every year, war takes an enormous toll on humanity. Over 120 million people have been forced from their homes. The majority of which are the result of warfare. The economic cost of warfare is staggering — an estimated $19 trillion annually. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of modern conflicts, suffering displacement, poverty, and violence.

Let’s do whatever we can for the common good.

Since World War II, a “peacemaking industry” has emerged—multinational bodies, governments, NGOs, and grassroots networks working to reduce armed conflict. Even with real successes, much of the field is still in its infancy and uneven in effectiveness. We’re focused on helping peacemakers use collaboration, local leadership, and evidence to achieve better results.

Wars are complex and often prolonged, with outside interveners struggling to fully grasp local dynamics. Single organizations rarely stop wars alone;
most lasting breakthroughs come from multiple actors working together over time, with knowledgeable local leaders involved
in planning and execution.

To influence peacemakers—policy makers, practitioners, donors, and community leaders—to think in terms of results and to design efforts that
elevate local leadership, foster collaboration, and apply the best available evidence.

Collaboration: convening and connecting actors whose combined efforts are likelier to succeed than solo attempts.
Local Leadership: ensuring projects include trusted local stakeholders who understand context and can navigate realities on the ground.
Evidence & Learning: translating research into simple, practical guidance (e.g., policy briefs, data summaries, case patterns).
Capability Building: advocating for rigorous training pathways for peacemakers—much like law, medicine, or engineering.
Practical Mediation Methods: promoting approaches that increase parties’ willingness to accept mediation.

Publish concise data briefs and summaries practitioners can use immediately.
Highlight success cases and the patterns behind them (coalitions, time horizons, local ownership).
Point peacemakers to high-quality resources (research reports, evidence hubs, expert networks).
Offer a plain-language narrative you can share with stakeholders and funders to align on best practices.

Take the Next Step

War is costly, but peace is possible. Explore the core sections of this site to see how peacemaking can become more effective

Resources for Peacemakers

Building peace requires more than goodwill — it demands knowledge, tools, and networks. These resources provide research, evidence, and practical guidance to help peacemakers design efforts that are collaborative, informed, and effective.

Encouraging stories

Success Stories & Case Studies

Every success story reminds us that peace is possible when local leadership and collaboration come together. The lessons from past agreements and grassroots movements show that no single actor can stop a war alone — but together, with evidence and persistence, peacemakers can build lasting solutions.

The Challenge of Peacemaking

The challenge of peacemaking is immense — conflicts are complex, protracted, and difficult to resolve. Yet history shows that 180 wars have been prevented or stopped in recent decades. By strengthening collaboration, elevating local leadership, and relying on evidence-based strategies, peacemakers can overcome obstacles and create lasting impact.

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Milt Lauenstein