The Personal is Political: how diverse heritage can help inform conflict analysis and resolution

Long-standing conflicts tend to be complex, with storied histories and emotions complicating efforts to find solutions. Analysts draw on their own varied experiences, personal and professional, as they seek to connect with conflict-affected populations and decision-makers. Today, we learn from Olesya Vartanyan how her diverse background has nourished a strong sense of empathy and how that quality has guided her conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution work.

Meet Olesya Vartanyan, Crisis Group's Senior Analyst in the South Caucasus.

Your background. I come from a family of mixed ethnicities, where several languages are spoken, several religions are practised and my relatives come from diverse areas of the world.?

My parents had relatives who suffered in wars, mass killings and deportations, but we would never discuss these topics at home.

My father often said that staying human is the most important quality and that any conflict can be resolved through conversation.

Before joining Crisis Group, I was a journalist. I spent ten fascinating years being introduced to many amazing people from around the globe. I worked with the New York Times and Radio Liberty for most of this period and both still feel like a family today.

The 2008 Georgia war made me think about covering conflicts.

During a trip to Abkhazia, which suffered a terrible war in the 1990s, I realised that only doing journalism wouldn’t satisfy me anymore.

I loved preparing articles, photo stories and documentaries and was proud of the praise (and even awards) I received. However, I increasingly wanted a role that made it possible for me to help improve and perhaps even save the lives of the people featured in my stories.

I decided to take a break and enrolled in King's Colleges War Department in London.

Once my studies were over, I felt I would be able to come up with solutions rather than only reporting problems.

Your role at Crisis Group. I am a senior analyst for the South Caucasus – a region comprising three countries and multiple conflict zones, many of them tied to foreign powers.?I conduct research and prepare publications on all topics relating to the region.

Workstation. When people ask me about my home, I say I live in my suitcases.?

I often travel to the South Caucasus for research, but I also frequently go to foreign capitals – for further research and for advocacy.

When I don't travel, I am based in Tbilisi, where I've lived for more than half of my life.

Typical work day. Mornings are often the time when I exercise, read or study, all of which keeps me going for the rest of the day.?

During the day, I interact with colleagues, government officials, journalists, foreign diplomats and other experts who do local research.?

Due to the time difference with other countries, I often work late.?

Proudest achievement.

When I joined Crisis Group in 2016, the organisation was long gone from the South Caucasus.?

We all had doubts about whether it would be possible for Crisis Group to return and regain its influence in the region's policymaking.

But seven years later, Crisis Group has once again become a go-to for local and foreign officials, media and experts on the most difficult conflict-related topics.

Most important thing you've learned about conflict prevention.

Things do depend on people.

Decisions are made by individuals.?

People’s backgrounds and personal preferences do matter when decisions.?

Understanding these dynamics can often be as important as laying down the best possible policy options to help prevent, mitigate or resolve conflict.

What do you like most about your job?

I often say, and this is true, that Crisis Group works with the most brilliant people.?

It is fascinating to have the opportunity to work with such colleagues, debate and, together, come up with the best possible solutions.

The other thing I love most is?meeting with conflict-affected people, listening to their stories, learning how they cope with the situation and how to help best resolve their problems.?

In many cases, these interactions help yield the best recommendations for how to end or mitigate a conflict.

An example of a personal touch you bring to your work.

Coming from diverse backgrounds helps me a lot.?

I often look at things from a broad perspective, bringing teachings I received from many different places and different periods in time.?

It allows for comparison and helps me understand what should be done, and how to avoid mistakes from the past.?

My experience of living in different countries and speaking several languages helps me understand the many dynamics at play in any given conflict.?

It also helps to open up people and build the necessary trust to shape solutions.

Team cat or team dog.

Team cat.

I often joke that Kukus (my cat) is one of the best-informed cat experts on conflicts in the South Caucasus because?he hears so many conversations on a daily basis.