What We Stand for
The Sustainable Peace Lab conceptualizes “the sustainable peace process as a transformative process of mutual recognition of the complexities of identity dynamics and their functions in achieving peace and justice in post-conflict societies.”
The Sustainable Peace Lab’s Hypothesis of Change
“The Sustainable Peace Lab built its Theory of Change to enhance reconciliation practice. We seek to implement sustainable peace practices via the empowerment of conflict and peace practitioners with evidence-based approaches.” This includes increased understanding of theories of change for identity-based conflicts; innovative tools for reconciling identity-based conflicts; and increased awareness of theory-driven tools for identity-based conflicts.
“Peacebuilding is a long-term process of transforming relationships, structures, and cultures toward greater justice and peace.”
— John Paul Lederach, 1997
Our Areas of Research & Practice
How do different types of threat perception impact conflict dynamics?
How is threat produced and transferred through collective memory, official narratives, and leadership?
How can threat perception be reduced?
What is the role of social norms in escalation and reconciliation of identity-based conflicts?
How do collective memories and historical narratives influence social norms?
How can existing norms be changed, or new norms constructed, to promote reconciliation during identity-based conflicts?
How effective are existing approaches such as dialogue, agonism, and multiperspectivity to reconcile antagonistic collective memories?
How can multiple truths be recognized and accepted within reconciliation processes?
How can memory sites and monuments representing difficult heritage be designed to promote reconciliation in conflict-affected contexts?
How can diverse communities be engaged in the design an development of memory sites?
What are different forms of memory activism and how do they contribute to conflict or reconciliation?
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.“
— Johan Galtung