In reviewing the concept of peacebuilding, this entry will distinguish the term from other descriptors of the peace process and discuss the activities on the conflict curve involved in peacebuilding, in particular preconflict violence prevention, postconflict stabilization, revitalizing civic infrastructure, and economic and social development. The entry concludes with a discussion of peacebuilding and the arts.

Definitions and Distinctions

Peacebuilding describes what measures are needed to prevent violence from occurring and also those that can prevent future violence from recurring in postconflict societies. Although there are many definitions that describe particular elements of peacebuilding, all of them focus on the centrality of alleviating human suffering and ensuring human security. The term itself is attributed to Johan Galtung, who sought to codify the particular methods required to create ...

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