Conflict Transformation & Peacebuilding
We engage youth, marginalized groups, and community leaders to identify and address sources of conflict, mitigate drivers of radicalization, and support transitional justice, going beyond resolving or managing disputes to actively transforming the deeper conditions that underpin them. We collaborate with communities through sustained engagement, intentional relationship building, and the strengthening of local resilience to turn moments of tension into opportunities for deeper understanding, increased community cohesion, and the creation of lasting, systemic peace. At the institutional level, we support democratic actors and researchers to effectively participate in peace negotiations and political transitions.
Our
Work
Peace Process Support
DTI’s current programming includes capacity building and support for various peace processes in the Middle East. We provide direct technical support and subject matter expertise, as well as foster negotiations and collaborations in coordination with governmental, quasi-governmental, and multilateral authorities.
Hybrid Political Orders: Can We Measure Influence vs. Control?
With the support of the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO), DTI is currently spearheading research to gain a better understanding of local dynamics and how to measure perceptions of local control in contested spaces. DTI is conducting a full literature review of potential indicators to produce a final report/ methodology/ product used to ascertain ‘red lines’ for international aid groups and donor countries, as well as development implementers to scope activities.
Rule of Law
DTI’s Rule of Law initiatives engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders and sectors in civil society and justice arenas. Our capacity building work includes design and implementation of programs working top-down with judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and lawyers. DTI’s work with civil society aims to empower local organizations though collaboratively structured partnerships in several key thematic areas, such as gender violence, counter-terrorism, wildlife crime, and human trafficking. In addition to its direct partner engagement, DTI leverages its several cost-share resources to conduct assessments, analyses, indices, and research aimed at developing innovative interventions that will inform and advance the rule of law.
Iraqi Leadership Fellows Program (ILF)
The Iraq Leadership Fellows Program contributes to the positive transformation of Iraqi politics and governance by equipping young activists and future political leaders with the skills needed to lead positive change. The ILF further seeks to diminish ethno-sectarian divisions in Iraq by creating a space for future Iraqi leaders to develop relationships and friendships with peers from different backgrounds based on respect and mutual understanding.
Preventing Reprisals & Mitigating Violence in Iraq (PRMV)
PRMV is an anti-retribution program in Iraq. This project focuses on providing interventions to reduce retributive attacks in Iraqi neighborhoods that were recently liberated from ISIS, specifically in Anbar, Diyala, and Ninewa. For the next two years, DTI will work with media firms to utilize the arts in conjunction with social and news media, prioritizing women and youth with broad social media networks, to create a multiplier effect and catalyze grassroots advocacy on key themes surrounding retribution.