Narratives in Peace Processes: Breaking the Binaries

Simple conflict stories have an attraction power and circulate easily. By complexifying narratives in peace processes, practitioners and policymakers can find important pathways to shaping sustainable peace.

Abstract

Conflict resolution work is under scrutiny. A series of short-lived ceasefires that break down as talks fail to progress to substance underline the need to work at a deeper level. Working on narratives can provide an alternative method to deepen mutual understanding when issues such as power-sharing, economic, and security arrangements are deadlocked. However, many policymakers and peace practitioners do not examine narratives as standard practice or specifically consider how to counter the effects of polarising narratives in peace work.