Inaugural Issue

Building Peace: A Forum for Peace and Security in the 21st Century shares stories of people, communities, and organizations that are transforming the face of peace and security around the world.

More than 1.5 billion people live in conflict affected and fragile states, and suffer acute levels of violence.    Many people do not realize, however, that every day women, men, and children are working to prevent violence and consolidate peace in their local communities and capitals through dialogue, reconciliation, development activities, human rights initiatives, and governance processes. Building Peace offers a window into this dynamic of creating and maintaining vibrant, peaceful, inclusive societies.

A Peek into This Issue:

In its inaugural issue, Building Peace is honored to feature a conversation with 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee. Ms. Gbowee adopts an expansive definition of peacebuilding, describes the progress Liberia has made toward peace, and the challenges that remain.

Rafif Jouejati, of Syria, provides a unique and little heard perspective on the civil disobedience taking place in her country and makes the case that a transition to democracy requires taking a stand for peace.

These are just two of the many perspectives offered in the inaugural issue.

This publication was made possible by the United States Institute of Peace and the John M. Kohler Foundation.