Reconciliation after conflict

Countries with vastly different histories such as Cambodia, Guatemala, Northern Ireland, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have each managed reconciliation processes as a means to emerge from periods of violent conflict towards greater democracy. Their experiences in turn have been used to find pathways towards democracy in similar situations elsewhere.

Reconstructing broken ties between people after a violent conflict or finding a means of peaceful coexistence is as urgent as rebuilding infrastructure and facilities. As South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Creating trust and understanding between former enemies is a supremely difficult challenge. It is, however, an essential one to address in the process of building a lasting peace.”

Preventing a recurrence of previous conflict is an essential element in building lasting democracy, and is the focus of International IDEA’s studies on reconciliation. Drawing on examples of healing, justice, truth telling and reparation from Guatemala, Northern Ireland, Rwanda and South Africa, International IDEA published its first handbook Reconciliation After Violent Conflict in 2003 that highlights lessons that can be considered when addressing similar situations around the world.

The handbook is available in French and associated material has been developed in Sinhala, Tamil, Burmese and Spanish to meet country-specific needs.

Having been through the process himself, Archbishop Tutu said about the book, “The practical tools and lessons from experience presented in the handbook will inspire, assist and support others in their supremely important task.” It is important to understand that reconciliation is not only about forgiveness, morality, religion or sentiment; it can also have a pragmatic effect, as a tool to learn about how to coexist.

And reconciliation does not happen overnight; its impact might be felt in generations to come so a focus on long-term processes is needed.