We can all contribute to creating a culture of peace. Building peace requires following through on the principles of good communication: be clear when stating your position; aim to resolve differences by treating others with respect; listen, don’t argue angrily or fight; be open to different viewpoints and alternatives; and finally be optimistic that good will come out of a non-violent approach. Peacebuilding happens at the international level but also at the grassroots level.

At an international level, peace-building refers to both nonviolent conflict resolution and the process of creating and sustaining peace after violent conflict, by providing an alternative to violence and conflict through communication, problem-solving and preventative measures. It is the work... (more)

We can all contribute to creating a culture of peace. Building peace requires following through on the principles of good communication: be clear when stating your position; aim to resolve differences by treating others with respect; listen, don’t argue angrily or fight; be open to different viewpoints and alternatives; and finally be optimistic that good will come out of a non-violent approach. Peacebuilding happens at the international level but also at the grassroots level.

At an international level, peace-building refers to both nonviolent conflict resolution and the process of creating and sustaining peace after violent conflict, by providing an alternative to violence and conflict through communication, problem-solving and preventative measures. It is the work that must be done before during and after conflict and involves collaborating with knowledgeable organizations to equip people with tools that can help them avoid and leave conflict situations.

Peace-building is a specific way of creating peace by managing conflict – it is a more holistic approach that recognizes that treaties and peace agreements may not last. It is an ongoing activity, which must be practiced vigilantly especially in nations that face social and economic instability. InternationalAlert.org warns that peace is not automatic even after a peace agreement is signed and should not be rushed. “Peacebuilding…has to address the root causes of conflict. It involves a wide-ranging and strategic approach that addresses issues of security, the socio-economic foundations of peace, governance and the need for justice and reconciliation to recover from the wounds of war.”

Maintaining international peace and security requires respect for fundamental human rights, as expressed in the United Nations Charter signed in June 1945. The UN Development Programme Crisis Prevention and Recovery Program works to prevent armed conflicts and promote early recovery after crises have occurred. When it is time for an international course of action to cease hostilities in a region, the UN Security Council decides when to intervene by sending forces or peacekeepers. (rollover definition: international military personnel who preserve the peace in a hostile region post-conflict)

Did you know? The term 'peacebuilding' has only been in use since 1992, when UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali used it in his report to the Security Council, Agenda for Peace (wiki)