Simon J A Mason is a senior researcher and head of the Mediation Support Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS), Zurich. As part of the Mediation Support Project (a joint project of the CSS and Swisspeace, funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) he focuses on mediation research, training and process support. He is one of the coordinators of the Mediation Support Network.

Read more from Simon:

Accord Insight Issue 2: Engaging armed groups

Simon J A Mason is a contributor to our Accord publication series and not a staff member of Conciliation Resources. The views expressed in the publication are their own and do not reflect the position of Conciliation Resources. We cannot share contributors' contact details.