MISSION
We work to enhance mediation and peacebuilding skills in communities around the globe so that they can, in turn, build a more peace “able” world. To this end, Skylark organizes initiatives through three essential mechanisms - capacity building, advocacy for mediation, and consultancy services:
We build capacity. At the invitation of local individuals and organizations, our members build mediation and organizational skills for preventing, resolving and healing from violent conflict. We work in communities traumatized by war, major civil conflict or natural disasters. We help peacebuilders understand how trauma affects people’s lives and perspectives. We respond to requests to develop mediation capacity and processes. We train and coach community members to use dialogue or restorative justice circles to address conflicts.
We provide consultancy services. Skylark mediates disputes directly. Working at the intersection of corporations, communities and organizations, we provide training and coaching in mediation, and many other conflict transformation techniques, to help individuals and organizations reach an agreement, resolve conflicts, solve problems, build trust, and heal relationships.
We promote security; In an ever-changing and complex world, security concerns are paramount. Enhanced security requires education, training and specialized skills. Skylark provides end-to-end risk management and comprehensive security solutions to safeguard people and infrastructure globally. Our team of strategic problem solvers has a steadfast moral compass and unwavering dedication to creating a safer world. Skylark is committed to the success of our customers and partners.
Our expertise lies in operating and solving gray zone issues. The gray zone describes a set of activities that occur between peace (or cooperation) and war (or armed conflict). A multitude of activities fall into this murky in-between—from nefarious economic activities, influence operations, and cyberattacks to mercenary operations, assassinations, and disinformation campaigns. Generally, gray-zone activities are considered gradualist campaigns by state and non-state actors that combine non-military and quasi-military tools and fall below the threshold of armed conflict. They aim to thwart, destabilize, weaken, or attack an adversary, and they are often tailored toward the vulnerabilities of the target state. While gray-zone activities are nothing new, the onset of new technologies has provided states with more tools to operate and avoid clear categorization, attribution, and detection.
Asymmetric conflict can be defined as a conflict that occurs between two elements of uneven strength and size. The most common methods used in asymmetric conflict are guerrilla tactics and elements of psychological warfare. Guerrilla tactics are mostly used by insurgents or rebels, but organized elements can counter with strategic or fear-promoting isolated actions, or reprisals, in return. Organized elements, both corporate and defense, frequently counter-guerrilla tactics with the institution of law and psychological warfare. This may involve the use of propaganda to frame an opposing element as a threat to the outcome of the impacted entity. In addition to suppressing the opposite force, asymmetric conflict may also involve intimidating elements who are not participating in either side of the conflict.