Engagement. Cultural strengths. Appreciating interdependence. Hope. Enduring peace depends on them.

In developing countries, the interaction is enormously complex between economics, traditions, international expectations, individuals’ concerns, and developing notions of statehood among dozens – sometimes hundreds – of cultures. Layer on devastation from armed conflict and community trauma and the challenges deepen.

Collaboration Specialists’s work is grounded in the belief that positive peace is achieved long after the accords. Cessation of hostilities and public ceremonies are an important start. And true peace relies on rebuilding trust, shared responsibiity, and structures that genuinely carry out the social contract. These cannot be imposed, but develop and are accepted after experience, over time. And that requires affected people to remain engaged in the rebuilding despite suspicion and hurts, setbacks and uncertainty. Assuming too quickly that quiet = resolution, failing to take on the rebuilding, or walking away when it falters – all carry great risk that a people will slip back into violence.