Even when “warring parties” know that eventually they will have to talk to one another so that there can be peace, it is extremely difficult to get them to “fast‐forward” to that moment. The reasons for this vary. Sometimes the parties think that “time is on their side”—that continuing the battle will benefit them. Other times, leaders worry how they will appear in the eyes of their own followers if they seem to have lost heart or are ready to give in. A third reason that parties may not initiate talks is their concern that a willingness to do so may lead the other side to assume that they are ready to give up. This article examines a new way of helping parties move forward in such situations using what is called “breakthrough collaboration,” an idea invented by the Consensus Building Institute. Breakthrough collaboration allows parties to take advantage of a critical moment to initiate preliminary trust‐building activities, share information and send messages through a neutral party, and engage in internal efforts that can make it easier to move toward joint problem‐solving. Such efforts can be triggered by a convener (who is not a party) and assisted by a mediator (who may not meet with the parties simultaneously). The goal is to do more than merely encourage dialogue. The hope is that an extended sequence of facilitated activities or events can lead to a shift in thinking on all sides. The key is to know when a critical moment creates an opportunity for breakthrough collaboration.

中文翻译：

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在僵局中发起协作：关键时刻该做什么

即使“交战各方”知道最终他们将不得不互相交谈才能实现和平，但要使他们“快进”到那一刻是极其困难的。其原因各不相同。有时，当事方认为“时间在他们身边” —继续战斗将使他们受益。有时，领导人担心如果他们似乎失去了信心或愿意屈服，他们将如何出现在自己的追随者眼中。政党可能不进行谈判的第三个原因是他们担心这样做的意愿可能导致另一方则假设他们准备放弃。本文探讨了一种新方法，该方法可通过“突破性协作”（Consensus Building Institute）发明的一种想法，来帮助各方在这种情况下前进。突破性的协作使各方可以利用关键时刻发起初步的信任建立活动，通过中立的一方共享信息和发送消息，并进行内部努力，从而可以更轻松地朝着共同解决问题的方向发展。这种努力可以由召集人（不是聚会的人）触发，也可以由调解员（可能不会同时与聚会见面的人）协助。目标是做更多的事情，而不只是鼓励对话。希望扩大活动或活动的顺序可以导致各方思维的转变。关键是要知道关键时刻何时会为突破性协作创造机会。并进行内部努力，使他们更容易朝着共同解决问题的方向迈进。这种努力可以由召集人（不是聚会的人）触发，也可以由调解员（可能不会同时与聚会见面的人）协助。目标是做更多的事情，而不只是鼓励对话。希望扩大活动或活动的顺序可以导致各方思维的转变。关键是要知道关键时刻何时会为突破性协作创造机会。并进行内部努力，使他们更容易朝着共同解决问题的方向迈进。这种努力可以由召集人（不是聚会的人）触发，也可以由调解员（可能不会同时与聚会见面的人）协助。目标是做更多的事情，而不只是鼓励对话。希望扩大活动或活动的顺序可以导致各方思维的转变。关键是要知道关键时刻何时会为突破性协作创造机会。希望扩大活动或活动的顺序可以导致各方思维的转变。关键是要知道关键时刻何时会为突破性协作创造机会。希望扩大活动或活动的顺序可以导致各方思维的转变。关键是要知道关键时刻何时会为突破性协作创造机会。