The workshop is being held at a time when Pakistan's geo-strategic position has assumed significant prominence because of America's war against terrorism. Yet, conflict resolution per se appears to be a distant possibility in South Asia if viewed in the context of inconclusive Indo-Pak summit at Agra, unpleasantness in Islamabad-New Delhi relations since September 11 and a standoff in South Asian regional cooperation. Confidence-Building Measures, Peace Process, Track One and Track Two diplomacy, Traditional and Non-Traditional Security are the existing paradigms of conflict resolution but one cannot overlook new paradigms which are emerging in the realm of conflict resolution. The workshop will ponder on ways by which a better understanding could be achieved about the field of conflict resolution and the role which state and civil society can play in this regard. However, it is expected that the issue of terrorism will substantially influence the discourse, which will take place at the workshop.

 Finally, the workshop will provide an opportunity to share perceptions and ideas on the theme of conflict resolution and how a consensus on traditional and non-traditional paradigms of security, peace process and confidence-building could be created in the backdrop of developments taking place after September 11. In order to discuss conflict resolution in South Asia from a forward looking approach, a session on "The vision of South Asia in

2047" has also been formulated. Recognizing the significance of Kashmir conflict for peace and stability in South Asia, simulation on the Kashmir conflict has also been planned.

Without any shadow of doubt, South Asia requires a unified approach on preventing, managing and resolving conflicts because inconsistency in regional perceptions on such issues will further degenerate prospects of peace. Needless to say, the workshop will focus on this pertinent issue also.