This collection of essays convenes international voices from the many sectors engaged in building and sustaining so-called positive peace; from politicians, academics, negotiators and diplomats, to civil society groups, young people and artists. All discuss the particular challenges for their country’s struggle with conflict, the transition to peace and the realities of living and moving forward together afterwards.

This year, 2018, saw the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement. In April, the British Council with partners Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, and in association with the Centre for Peace Building and Democracy, convened Peace and Beyond, a conference held in Belfast 10–12 April 2018 to mark that moment. It brought voices from around the world together to consider how peace is built and sustained, to share challenges, opportunities for action and learning, and to discuss how a range of actors help a society transition from signing a peace agreement to the long and complex process of rebuilding their communities together.

 

This collection captures the discussions, debates, reflections and recommendations from the conference sessions by those who participated, spoke and listened. It forms part of the British Council’s 2018 Peace Season and the organisation’s commitment to supporting positive peacebuilding through a cultural relations approach.