Conflict Dynamics International develops and implements innovative strategies for conflict prevention and resolution, and for humanitarian policy relevant to conflict and other crises. Conflict Dynamics recognizes an increasing need for targeting the intersection between humanitarian policy and conflict resolution.

Conflict Dynamics explores new approaches to humanitarian policy and provides direct substantive and process-related support to conflict resolution activities in the international arena. Moreover, Conflict Dynamics takes a proactive, outcomes-oriented approach of identifying specific points at which substantive and process-related inputs can have the highest impact. In this way, Conflict Dynamics seeks to efficiently produce results that are high quality, timely and effective.

Conflict Dynamics International has designed three intersecting program areas to fulfil its mission. These three program areas are: Peacebuilding in Transition States, New Frontiers in Humanitarian Policy and Pressure Points for Conflict Prevention and Resolution.

With these goals in mind, Conflict Dynamics has established relationships with key players in the field of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and humanitarian action, and continues to collaborate with such organizations as the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Harvard University, Save the Children UK, and Mercy Corps' Conflict Management Group.

Who We Are

Gerard Mc Hugh, President

Gerard Mc Hugh is Founder and President of Conflict Dynamics International. Gerard has worked extensively on international conflict resolution and humanitarian policy for more than eleven years, building on a foundation of work in healthcare which he embarked upon over twenty years ago. He founded Conflict Dynamics in 2004 to function as an independent, not-for-profit organization to prevent conflict and to alleviate humanitarian suffering resulting from conflict and other crises.

Gerard has worked on policy- and practical aspects of humanitarian negotiations and humanitarian access, as well as other humanitarian policy issues, in many conflict settings. He was the lead developer of Conflict Dynamics’ Humanitarian Negotiation Training Initiative (HNTI) which he and colleagues have delivered for humanitarian practitioners working in Afghanistan, the Middle East Region, Nepal, Senegal, Somalia and Sri Lanka.

Gerard has worked on several peace processes, mediation- and negotiation initiatives, most recently to support United Nations-African Union led mediation efforts under the Darfur Political Process (2007/2008).

Between 2005 and 2007 Gerard also successfully completed three mandates as Coordinator of the U.N. Security Council Panel of Experts concerning the Sudan.

He has authored/co-authored numerous articles, reports and resources for peace- and humanitarian practitioners – on a range of topics – including: Sanctions Assessment Handbook (Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 2004); Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups: A Manual for Practitioners (United Nations, 2006); Strengthening Protection of Children through Accountability (Conflict Dynamics, 2009); and Integrating Internal Displacement in Peace Processes and Peace Agreements (USIP and The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, forthcoming 2009).

Gerard is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds degrees in political science, mechanical engineering, naval architecture, and mathematics from those institutions and also holds a professional qualification in nursing.

Board of Directors

Gerard Mc Hugh (Chair)

Allison Spaxman

Chris Saunders