Peace Programs

Conflict Resolution

Hrair Balian, Director

Hrair Balian joined The Carter Center in 2008 as director of the Conflict Resolution Program. Mr. Balian oversees the Program's efforts to monitor conflicts around the world and work with other Carter Center programs on human rights, democracy, the Americas, China, and health.

Mr. Balian most recently served as director for the office of the U.N. Secretary-General's High Representative for the Elections in Cote d'Ivoire, where he focused on facilitating and certifying democratic elections. Actively involved in crisis mitigation, Mr. Balian assisted in overcoming major political impediments and helped pave the way for political agreement and eventual elections.

He led field activities in Bosnia for the International Crisis Group between 1996-1998, specifically focusing on early warning of conflict resumption and promotion of sustainable stability. At the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, he directed electoral assistance and observation programs. He also developed programs to mitigate long-standing differences between authorities of participating states and opposition leaders. 

Mr. Balian received his juris doctor degree from Golden Gate University. He is fluent in English, French, and Armenian, with a basic understanding of Arabic.

Tom Crick, Senior Political Analyst

Mr. Crick joined the Center in 1994, first as a research assistant in the Conflict Resolution Program, becoming executive assistant to the director of the Peace Programs, assistant director of the Center's China Village Elections Project, and is now senior political analyst in the Conflict Resolution Program. Mr. Crick has worked on numerous Carter Center election and conflict resolution projects, primarily in Africa, including the Carter Center-brokered 1995 Guinea worm cease-fire in Sudan, the Great Lakes peace initiative from 1995-1997, and the Center's mediation between Sudan and Uganda. Most recently, his work has concentrated on peace-building issues in Liberia.

Mr. Crick received his bachelor's degree from Bristol University, his master's degree from the Queen's University of Belfast, and has conducted doctoral research at the London School of Economics and at Emory University. Prior to joining the Center, he lectured in political science at a number of polytechnics in the United Kingdom and worked as a journalist and as a project leader at an interdenominational youth project in Northern Ireland. Mr. Crick is a licensed mediator in the state of Georgia.

Cassandra Grant, Program Assistant

Ms. Grant is responsible for creating and managing program budgets, providing administrative and logistical support for the program, and coordinating with local and international partners to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. She has served on Carter Center missions in Venezuela.

Prior to coming to the Center, she served as administrative officer for The National Training Agency of Jamaica, where she coordinated the application and testing process for new recruits and managed the fiscal and administration functions of the organization for the northeastern region of the island. She also has worked with the National Development Foundation of Jamaica, a financial institution providing loans to small businesses.

Ms. Grant holds a bachelor's degree in management from Nova Southeastern University in Florida and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.