Terms and definitions

View our conceptual framework to explore which functions and outputs serve which specific purpose.

  • Function

    Gather data

    Collect data relevant for the peacemaking context, actors or specific events.

  • Function

    Analyze data

    Process, prepare, compare or triangulate data relevant for the peacemaking context, actors or specific events.

  • Function

    Disseminate data

    Share or publish data relevant for the peacemaking context, actors or specific events.

  • Function

    Amplify messages

    Increase the visibility of information and make it more marked.

  • Function

    Diversify messages

    Increase the diversity of information and/or diversity of senders.

  • Function

    Connect actors

    Enable exchange and communication between stakeholders.

  • Function

    Enable coordination

    Enable alignment between usually disjoint stakeholders.

  • Function

    Enable collaboration

    Enable joint action towards between stakeholders towards a common objective.

  • Outputs

    Better information

    Provide data that is not otherwise available.

  • Outputs

    Faster information

    Reduce the time required for data transmission.

  • Outputs

    Wider information

    Widen the reach of data among the stakeholders.

  • Outputs

    Political expression

    Make the thoughts and feelings of stakeholders known.

  • Outputs

    Assert influence

    Enable stakeholders to affect the course of the peace process.

  • Outputs

    Empathy

    Increase the ability of stakeholders to understand and share the feelings of others.

  • Outputs

    Mobilization

    Organize and encourage stakeholders to take collective action.

  • Outputs

    Representation

    Provide information that depicts stakeholders' interests, needs, or concerns.

  • Outputs

    Deliberation

    Enable discussion through which an issue is carefully considered.

  • Strategic purpose

    Legitimacy and public support

    Increase public support for peace processes and their outcomes, by involving conflict stakeholders beyond the principal conflict parties.

  • Strategic purpose

    Empowerment

    Give marginalized or vulnerable groups the power to inform peace processes, by providing opportunities and resources for participation.

  • Strategic purpose

    Transforming relations

    Transform the social, political, and cultural relationships underlying conflict, by focusing on the relations between conflict parties and stakeholders.

  • Strategic purpose

    Risk mitigation and protection

    Enable early warning and early action, by fostering horizontal networks of information exchange.