Enhancing Conflict Mediation Research: Introducing the Innovative Global Peace Actors Database (GLO-PAD)

Abstract

[EN] In contemporary conflict resolution research, integrating diverse data sources and innovative methodologies is crucial for understanding mediation events and actors. This paper presents the Global Peace Actors Database (GLO-PAD), an event-based mediation database built through a pioneering and layered data collection process. Leveraging various sources such as the Barcelona Peace Talks in Focus Report, International Crisis Group's Crisis Watch, PA-X Peace Agreements Database, and reports from international organizations, GLO-PAD offers a nuanced view of mediation dynamics. Unlike previous datasets, GLO-PAD employs a large-scale web scraping approach, integrating the universe of potential mediation event sources to capture granular mediation event data worldwide from 1988 to present. It transcends political negotiations to encompass all conflict-related mediation, thus broadening temporal and spatial scope of previous mediation data attempts. GLO-PAD assesses mediator bias, identifies emerging actors, and utilizes semi-automated techniques for comprehensive data collection. This innovative approach addresses mediation's increasing fragmentation, providing valuable insights for conflict resolution scholarship and practice.