Civil society and conflict transformation in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict: accomplishments and challenges

Abstract

Since the August 2008 war, citizens engaged in Georgian-Abkhaz conflict transformation projects have maintained their resolve to keep open channels of communication across the conflict and continue strengthening fire-proof defenses against violence. These defenses are still fragile, and face challenges from internal and external forces analyzed in this article. This article presents analysis of (1) civil society in Georgian and Abkhaz communities and its role in conflict transformation in the years leading up to the August war of 2008; (2) responses by Georgian and Abkhaz civil society leaders and outside facilitators to events in the months before and during the August war of 2008; and (3) civil society's role in conflict transformation since the August war of 2008 until 2011.