Dear colleagues, I need your help to reflect on the following questions. I'm engaging in research project concerned about experience of countries in the mechanisms of overcoming violence and divisions in their past politics. All countries have gone through some sort of violent past, how have they reconciled with their past and each other? In cases where they had not established commissions or gone through processes that were explicitly named 'reconciliation', how did they manage to come to state of peace, democracy and development? It is my pleasure also if you can suggest me literature related to this issue.
Various interpretations of the causes and roots of violence are thanks to narratives and competing myths (and myths are “strangely impervious to facts”). It is the most challenging task, as it raises questions of accountability, and all parties, of course, see themselves as just. Instead of asking why should be asked what made it possible? Mapping an ideology that lies behind the conflict is a crucial task (at least in the former Yugoslavia region). Experts generally agree that the reconciliation and peacebuilding process should be all levels of society involved. Lederach explicitly states that “peacebuilding must be undertaken simultaneously at many levels of society. At the same time, Bar-On observes that “top-down processes and bottom-up is difficult to reconcile due to the lack of a common language and social perspective.” In fact, in the region of the former Yugoslavia, peacebuilding processes have so far not been initiated from the highest level of decision-makers decisions in governments and parliaments.
In the case of Spain, with a process of peaceful "transition" -model for many countries- and with a Constitution voted favorably by almost 90% of the citizens that have led us to a Rule of Law, a Parliamentary Monarchy and a Full and healthy democracy, which has lasted for more than 43 years ... and, of course, with a total submission of its Armed Forces to the Rule of Law, to the Constitution (which we swore to DEFENDERM TO APPLY AND MAKE APPLY ... and I I am a High Grade Military) and to the submission of the Civil Power and with absolute independence from the "three powers" (Legislative, Judicial and Executive) according to the classic Montesquieu differentiation.
The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, with a website at https://www.peacemakersnetwork.org/, aims to strengthen peacemaking by collaboratively supporting the positive role of religious and traditional actors in peace and peacebuilding processes. I would recommend (Keyes, 2019), available at https://www.peacemakersnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mapping-on-Approaches-to-Reconciliation.pdf, for a selection of theoretical ideas and illustrative case studies designed to broaden the debate amongst practitioners and scholars about the central principles and practices which constitute effective reconciliation. Presentation Learning for Peace
may also be of interest.
I can refer you to Uganda and Rwanda experiences. Rwanda in particular experienced a Genocide and civil war. The country is coming to terms with those violent experiences. The challenge is that governments that take over tend to make the same mistakes of past governments.
Dear Ronald Buye,
Thank you! I appreciate for your time & ideas
If you look backward and try to go forward, obviously you will hit an obstacle and fail. It is apparent that the existing generation cannot be held accountable for the actions of the past. What is necessary is to sit together, learn from the past, develop common future plans and go forward. Always, (1+1) > 1+1. This is needed for any country.