The conflicts that are addressed could be at any level from the local to the national, regional and global. They could also be of varying degrees of intensity, ranging from a full blown crisis to a potential problem. And the degree of complexity would tend to vary, from a relatively simple case of disagreements between two groups being clearly stated, to conflicts that involve multiple groups and dimensions. 

The development of an inclusive knowledge base calls for an explicit recognition of the several dimensions of inclusiveness. At one level inclusiveness implies covering all those who are affected directly or indirectly by a specific conflict. At another, more conceptual, level inclusiveness implies covering as many of the factors that directly or indirectly affect a conflict, rather than being satisfied with a few core factors or with those factors that dominate the public discourse on that specific conflict. The development of such an inclusive approach requires conceptual innovations that build on the latest developments in the conceptualisation of conflict from across the world.

The programme tries to achieve its objectives by being sensitive to the interface between the understanding of individual conflicts and the larger conceptualisation of conflict. It studies individual conflicts in depth with the twin purpose of identifying elements that can be used to resolve them, as well as to further develop the overall understanding of conflicts and their resolution. The programme thus aims to build an inclusive knowledge base and then disseminate that knowledge in a way that influences both popular perceptions and policies aimed at conflict resolution. The breadth of the knowledge base is built through developing backgrounders on individual conflicts. The depth is provided by research both into individual conflicts and the conceptualisation of social conflict and its resolution. The dissemination will be carried out through short-term courses on conflict resolution, targeted at all who could have to deal with social conflicts, whether they are in industry, government or civil society.