Consortium wins U.S. contract to focus on conflict mitigation and resolution

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Associates International has formed a consortium of development organizations, universities, small businesses and others to work with the U.S. government to mitigate and overcome the sources of conflict around the world. (www.CreativeAssociatesInternational.com)

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Working with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other government offices, the "Programming Effectively Against Conflict and Extremism" (PEACE) contract allows Creative's Consortium to engage communities in identifying the causes of conflict—as well as local strengths and assets—that allow them to develop culturally suitable solutions.

"Conflict is one of the primary obstacles to successful development, and one that Creative has worked to address since its founding nearly four decades ago," says President and CEO Charito Kruvant. "This truly impressive group of partners have the right mix of thought leadership, practical experience and proven models that development agencies and communities can leverage."

PEACE supports the U.S. government's activities in fragile and conflict countries, and works across various levels of conflict, from mapping and early warning to dispute resolution and transformation.

Through this USAID contract, Creative's Consortium members may design and implement activities in three primary areas: Knowledge sharing; training; and field program implementation.  

"Creative consortium has a deep understanding of conflict dynamics, the emerging trends that drive them and the role of development programming in addressing drivers of conflict," says Thomas Wheelock, Senior Director and Vice President of Creative. "While traditional nation-states continue their role in conflicts, today's situations are dominated by complex, non-linear conflicts increasingly involving non-state actors."

Creative has nearly four decades of experience developing and implementing programs in conflict and post-conflict countries, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Liberia, Yemen and El Salvador.

In addition to Creative, the Consortium is comprised of proven leaders in their respective areas: the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding; the Fund for Peace; George Mason University's School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution; QED Group; Internews; CARE International; Abt Associates; Mega Tech; Banyan Global; LTL Strategies; Momentum; the Consensus Building Institute; Institute for Inclusive Security; and Rutgers University Center for the Study of Genocide, Conflict and Human Rights.

About Creative Associates International
Creative Associates International works with underserved communities by sharing expertise and experience in education, economic growth, governance and transitions from conflict to peace. Creative is the second-largest company owned by women that works with the U.S. government.

Based in Washington, D.C., Creative currently has field offices in 23 countries. Since 1977, it has worked in more than 85 countries and on nearly every continent. Recognized for its ability to work rapidly, flexibly and effectively in conflict and post-conflict environments, Creative is committed to generating long-term sustainable solutions to complex development problems.

Learn more at www.CreativeAssociatesInternational.com

SOURCE Creative Associates International