Teachers may want to have the students read this introduction before they read the selected essays on "Building Peace" to provide a basic understanding of the concepts included therein.

Building peace has been an illusive goal of civilizations throughout history. In their most recent efforts towards this end, the nation-states of the world community looked toward cooperation through the United Nations (UN) to spread peace. As conflicts throughout the world continue to erupt, the UN has created and continues to develop various instruments for building peace. While there are thousands of local, national and international organizations working to build peace, as is described in the essays listed below, the UN's definitions of peace building provide helpful background for this subject area.

Former United Nations Secretary-Genral Boutros Boutros-Ghali described elements of post conflict peace-building as:

• Action to identify and support structures which will tend to strengthen and solidify peace in order to avoid a relapse into conflict;

• Rebuilding the institutions and infrastructures of nations torn by civil war and strife;

• And [tackling the] deepest causes of conflict: economic despair, social injustice and political oppression.

"An agenda for Peace Preventive Diplomacy, Peacemaking and Peace-keeping," 17 June 1992.

The United Nations identifies six major tasks that may be part of peace-building: (1) de-militarization of combatants; (2) electoral assistance; (3) re-establishing rule of law; (4) reconstruction of civil society; (5) economic assistance; and (6) return of refugees and internally displaced persons. See UN Peace-building page.

Below, these tasks are reviewed using Afghanistan as an example, which should provide a good introduction to the essays that follow:

De-militarization of Combatants

One of the pressing challenges facing the interim administrative authorities in Afghanistan is the large number of weapons in a country deeply divided along ethnic lines. One way to achieve the de-militarization of combatants is via their reintegration into society. For example, local rulers have been placed on the ruling council that will oversee the first six months of Afghanistan's transition to a permanent governmental structure with the goal of encouraging these leaders to invest in the peace process rather than exclude them from negotiations, which would have the potential to further fuel tensions that already exist among various groups in Afghanistan.

Electoral Assistance

Because of the lack of a national political infrastructure and a secure environment in which to organize and hold elections, an interim council will administer Afghanistan for about six months. In addition, an assembly called the Loya Jirga is scheduled to be held during spring 2002. The Loya Jirga will be composed of tribal elders and local representatives and will nominate a transitional government to replace the interim council. The Loya Jirga will also nominate a legislative council to draft a constitution. Once the constitution is ratified by a second Loya Jirga, national elections would be organized.

Re-establishing Rule of Law

In Afghanistan, re-establishing the judiciary and legal systems will be critically important, particularly because of the Taliban's legacy of repression and violence. During meetings that led to the Bonn agreement, it was determined that Afghanistan would move to rebuild these institutions based on a national constitution. As part of the agreement, Afghanistan will form a human rights commission that will monitor the current situation and also examine past injustices.

Reconstruction of Civil Society

In addition to re-establishing political and legal institutions, Afghanistan will need to reconstruct various aspects of civil society (e.g., non-governmental organizations, charities, unions, etc.). Years of war and conflict have left Afghanistan without the social institutions necessary for a strong civil society and for forming relationships between citizens and government.

Economic Assistance

While economic assistance will play a critical role in improving the situation in Afghanistan, money alone will not solve the problem. Other factors must be considered in providing economic assistance. It is critical, for example, that aid programs make good use of local resources and local planning, with an eye towards offering immediate assistance and building longer-term structures. The U.S. will play a key role in mobilizing international economic assistance needed for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Return of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

The return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Afghanistan is currently being addressed by the international community. Relief agencies are providing humanitarian aid (i.e., goods and services provided to victims of natural or human-made disasters) to refugees who have fled their homes during the war.