Testimonials to the Solution Accelerator
Afghanistan (2021):
After observing Solution Accelerators in 2 villages in his district over 8 months, an Afghan District Governor said,
“We have similar problems and conflicts in every community and people do not have enough skills to solve them. We ask the project team to expand their programs to the district level. This is a very valuable program that, in addition to solving problems and conflicts, also teaches people how to manage conflicts."
Sovereignty First and the Solution Accelerator (2013-present)
After closely observing and supporting Sovereignty First’s work for years, Ambassador John MacDonald, Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman and CEO of the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy:
“I have often said, “The only way to solve a conflict, at any level of society is to sit down, face to face, and talk about it.” [The Solution Accelerator] applies this principle on a nation-wide scale. [The Solution Accelerator] is built on known best practices like multi-track diplomacy to strengthen developing nations, regardless of their state of development. It has a deep respect for culture and the right of a nation to direct its own course. If I were a new President, Prime Minister, or even mayor of a struggling city, I would want to apply [the Solution Accelerator] as the fastest way possible to improved economy, conflict management, and necessary service delivery to the citizens. It would be my best insurance for securing and maintaining political power.”
Nancy Bearg, Former National Security Council Staff Member and former CEO, EnterpriseWorks Worldwide, wrote:
“Sovereignty First’s tools are a vital comprehensive approach to societies’ building themselves”
Michael Patrick Flanagan, Former United States Congressman, governance specialist in postwar Iraq, wrote:
“The [ Solution Accelerator] initiative is concrete, useful, capable and inclusive in a way that no previous plan of assistance I know has been.
Syria (2016-2017):
The Solution Accelerator identified prime actors and societal capacity as seen through the eyes of the prime actors in Syria, themselves.
Lieutenant Guy Swan III, Former Commander, United States Army North, Military District of Washington/Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region; Vice President of the Association of the United States Army, after studying our report, wrote:
“The United States and its international partners will continue to face real challenges in a world of failing states and seemingly endless clashes of culture and ideology. In order to appropriately address such challenges, there is a real need for a deeper understanding of the environment. This is essential for fostering effective relationships with local partners and improving mission outcomes. Existing tools are no longer up to the task. The [Solution Accelerator] process meets this critical need for United States stabilization and nation-building operations. [The Solution Accelerator] elicits and integrates national assessments from the subjective perceptions of local stakeholders, factions, and outside interests into an objective matrix. With this, officials can make better informed decisions that will have lasting effects.”
Iraq (2015):
The Solution Accelerator identified prime actors and societal capacity as seen through the eyes of the prime actors in Iraq, themselves. Stuart Bowen, Jr., Former Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction wrote:
“[The Solution Accelerator] is a tool for our times. You could spend a fortune on consultants to get what [the Solution Accelerator] can provide at a fraction of the cost. Efficient and effective, this 21st Century methodology is geared to our rapidly changing world. It will open doors to insights that allow progress where none seemed possible. Eric Wolterstorff, the creator of this unique tool, will aid those working in unstable zones to find paths toward peace and prosperity in settings where conflict and chaos seemed endemic. I’ve worked with Eric and am pleased to vouch for his integrity, commitment, and professionalism. [The Solution Accelerator] and Eric can solve your worldwide problems—at the ground level.”
Pakistan (2014):
Sovereignty First simulated of part of the Solution Accelerator by measuring the cultural capacity of Pakistan to partner with the US Army to adapt to complex problems, conflicts, opportunities and threats.
Ambassador John Herbst, Former United States Ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan; Former United States Department of State Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization; former Director of the National Defense University Center for Complex Operations; Director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center, after investigating our simulation, wrote:
“[The Solution Accelerator’s Adaptive Capacity Assessment] is an ingenious and valuable tool to assess the stability of a country. I oversaw the development of the International Conflict Assessment Framework (ICAF), a similar, important instrument. The [Adaptive Capacity Assessment] is a better tool.”
Indonesia (2012):
Sovereignty First’s founder informally applied the Solution Accelerator process to help turn around a distressed $60MM joint Indonesian-Australian forest protection program. Hanafi Guciano, PhD, Coordinator, Indonesia-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership wrote:
“The approach you introduced is very good. You helped us turn around and manage a chaotic project, with different languages, cultures, and politics, full of competing agendas all at play at once. I thank you.”