The CEC Journal is an initiative of the Bartos Institute for Constructive Engagement of Conflict (CEC); an Institute that was established at UWC-USA in 2001, thanks to a generous gift from the Bartos family. Founded with a vision of enabling avenues for track-two diplomacy at our campus in Montezuma, New Mexico, while simultaneously supporting students in engaging with conflicts within the UWC-USA community, the Bartos Institute's vision is structured around three different circles of engagement: engagements within UWC-USA, within the state of New Mexico, and beyond New Mexico. 

For the launch of the CEC Journal we cast a wide net and asked our authors to reflect on what 'Constructive Engagement of Conflict' meant to them. In response, the authors in this issue provide insights and analyses that speak to diverse definitions of 'constructive', 'engagement', and 'conflict': from advice on dealing with the incarceration of a loved one, to the use of writing as a strategy in responding to the conflicts in Kashmir; from case studies of arts-based initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to making theatre in response to homelessness in the United Kingdom; from partnerships between young women in Israel and Palestine, to case studies of performance-based processes in Zimbabwe. The diverse engagements from the authors in this issue put forward provocative and analytical insights into the myriad ways in which individuals and communities are striving to engage constructively with the conflicts around them. 

The CEC Journal is an open-access publication and our authors retain the copyright to their work; we strive to support and promote the individual writing styles of our authors while maintaining a high standard for the quality of work that we showcase. That said, like any new initiative, we know we have much to learn and much to develop. As we embark on this journey, we welcome you to join us: as authors, as readers, and as other kinds of contributors -- do contact us with ideas, suggestions, or questions.

Nandita Dinesh

nandita.dinesh@uwc-usa.org

Associate Director, Bartos Institute

Managing Editor, CEC Journal