Key Findings One of the key lessons is that successful conflict resolution requires long-term and unwavering commitment from external actors. Peace processes should be inclusive, comprehensive and involve long- and short-term measures to bolster the commitment of all sides. In NI, various mechanisms (including a degree of textual ambiguity in the GFA) allowed difficult issues to be deferred and allowed the peace process to maintain its momentum. Success in NI was underpinned by various underlying factors which included significant long-term economic and generational changes. Most research suggests that civil society has played a marginal role in the NI peace process although some argue that this has contributed to subsequent problems.
