The Committee for Conflict Transformation Support (CCTS) originated in 1992 as a committee of representatives from nongovernmental organisations with the aim of increasing the number of local trainers in conflict resolution and mediation training in Eastern Europe. The organisations included the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace Brigades International, Quaker Peace and Service, War Resisters International and Responding to Conflict. The original title “Ad-hoc” HCA Training Committee (it had been formed in response to a Helsinki Citizens Assembly meeting) was changed to Coordinating Committee for Conflict Resolution Training in Europe (CCCRTE) in 1993. Originally seen as providing a coordinated response to requests for training, the committee also proved to be a forum for the exchange of information, the discussion and evaluation of practical experience and the development of cooperative or complementary work.
The committee’s work in Osijek, Croatia, and elsewhere revealed that peace groups often had a greater need for support, accompaniment and advice than for training. This marked a change in emphasis from training provision to support. Another change was the geographical limitation. The original focus of work in the former Yugoslavia had been extended to include parts of the Caucasus region, but it was realised that work of the representative organisations in other parts of the world would often have relevance. In 1997 these changes were acknowledged with a change of name to the Committee for Conflict Transformation Support (CCTS).
As well as committee meetings, the committee organised seminars for the exploration of particular issues or areas of work, allowing wider participation and in-depth discussion. The CCTS also published the CCTS Newsletter (later the CCTS Review), containing seminar papers and reports, reflective articles, book reviews and other features related to conflict transformation. Representation on the committee changed over the years as some organisations became less involved while new ones joined, such as International Alert, Conciliation Resources, and Peace Direct. Long-term members of the committee included Adam Curle, Diana Francis, Howard Clark, Guus Meijer, Michael Randle, and Bob Neidhardt. The CCTS was wound up at the end of 2009.
From the guide to the Archives of the Committee for Conflict Transformation Support, 1992-2009, (University of Bradford)
