Local peacemaking in conflict resolution

Abstract

The article examines local peacemaking as a way to resolve the conflict. Criticism of the concept and practice of "liberal peace" has led to the search for alternative ways of peacemaking, including those that would take into account local peace processes. In addition, the liberal peace scheme often views the peace process statically, where all actors have to act in supposedly pre-written roles. The search for the optimal interaction of international structures, the state and local actors continues to this day – depending on the context of the conflict, it has differences in each case. Such a variety of forms of local peacemaking is due to the need to resolve the conflict at the level of the whole society for a long time, and broad sections of the population would understand and have confidence in peace processes. Territorial and geographical constraints can create obstacles in local peacemaking, especially when it comes to its interaction with national peacebuilding. In addition, the liberal peace scheme often views the peace process statically, where all actors have to act in supposedly pre-written roles. The conceptual role of "liberal peace" found its expression in modern theories of peace and conflict, where peacebuilding was originally associated with the creation or reconstruction of political institutions on the Western model. Among the common forms of local peacemaking, researchers consider local peace committees. The effectiveness of local peacemaking depends on local leaders, the geographical spread of the armed conflict, the intensity and drivers of the conflict. main directions of local peacemaking influence on peacebuilding: ability to strengthen trust and dialogue in society; ensuring the settlement of conflicts at the local level; concluding peace agreements between conflicting parties; ensuring the operation of peace infrastructure.