A Call to Peace: How Third-Party Actors and Frameworks Impacted the Peace Processes of Northern Ireland and Colombia

Abstract

Northern Ireland and Colombia both serve as excellent case studies on how the end of the Cold War impacted peace processes. Both countries experienced conflicts that begun in the Cold War era and underwent peace processes in the post-Cold War era. As such, studying them reveals characteristics of post-Cold War peace processes. For example, both Northern Ireland and Colombia showcase the important role that third-party actors play in modern conflict mediation. Both countries benefited greatly from mediation conducted by international organization, other countries, and individuals. Furthermore, both countries demonstrate the importance of frameworks in any successful peace negotiation. This paper argues that third-party actors greatly benefit peace processes and that a detailed framework is imperative to a successful peace process.