The Center exists to support and sustain the development of information technology applications, institutional resources, and theoretical and applied knowledge for better understanding and managing conflict. The Internet is global and thus conflict management resources and expertise can be delivered from anywhere asynchronously. We are only at the beginning of understanding how individuals separated by great physical, cultural, or technological distances can utilize resources and expertise virtually.

The Center views cyberspace is an increasingly significant part of our personal and professional lives. Cyberspace is not a harmonious place, and the Center is dedicated to understanding the nature and origins of online conflict and of appropriate responses to it. In addition, we conceive of the online environment as a "place" where increasingly powerful tools will be available for working to find solutions to many forms of offline/online conflict, whether they are public or private, whether they involve commercial transactions or other social relationships, and whether they are international or domestic.