From Conflict Resolution to Strategic Peacebuilding

At the center of Lederach’s ideas and remarks is the idea that “post-conflict” isn’t a reality.  According to Lederach, transformation of the conflict is key in that it accounts for the understanding that conflicts may not “end” in reality and that peace is a phenomenon that must be nurtured and actively managed.  Lederach highlights the idea that peace building and transformation requires a commitment, it’s a process rather than an intervention.  In addition to highlighting the process elements of strategic peace building, Lederach points out that peace building requires commitment to understanding the nature of relationships, their origin, and the challenges involved.

Lederach advocates the idea of participatory research.  Under this model, Lederach explains that those working toward strategic peace building should engage in a constant learning modality.  Relating these ideas to his own work with the Nepalese, Lederach explained how participatory research was an element within the commitment to strategic peace building – a reason for why such commitments may seem lengthy.  Lederach also untangles the idea of strategic peace building demonstrating that it’s not a universal approach or an approach which can easily be pulled from a manual, but it’s instead a catered approach focused on transforming energies and actions (such as the conversion of confrontation into engaged dialog).