When we say ‘we are building peace’, what exactly do we mean? What
factors should be in place for an entity to be considered peaceful? If
it is true that within every conflict lies both opportunity and danger,
why does the term conflict automatically solicit violence prevention or
connote negativity? How do we harness the opportunities that lie within a
conflict? Why do dialogues easily slip into talk-shops? What would it
take to move dialogue beyond rhetoric to an effective tool that
facilitates understanding and delivers gains for peace-building,
conflict management and public participation?
Although the term
“peace-building” has the word ‘peace’ at its core, it appears that most
actions concerning peace-building are focused on preventing violence
rather than strengthening peace. This has made it challenging to muster
support for peace-building or conflict management actions early on in
conflicts, especially where there is no direct threat of violence in
view. How do we make peace a value and capacity to be invested in even
in the absence of the threat of violent conflict? How do we facilitate
peace work that goes beyond violence and stability to one that can
deliver positive peace?
These are some of the questions being explored and answered in this book.
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