Exploring "citizen peacebuilding".

For those wishing to explore the relationship between peace and commerce, the idea of  "citizen peacebuilding" is a good place to start. Professor and social entrepreneur John L. Graham discusses how trade promotes peace in "Trade Brings Peace- An Essay About One Kind of Citizen Peacebuilding".  He draws on the work of Karl Popper and Mark Granovetter to demonstrate how social networks and entrepreneurship can improve community circumstances  and make violent conflict less attractive. We all know that despair and hopelessness make it easier for humans to seek drastic violent "solutions" to their problems. So how do we empower humans to prevent  or remedy this despair in their own lives and / or communities?

For those unfamiliar with "citizen peacebuilding", the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding might be illuminating. You can watch a video about CCP here, or take a minute to read the mission statement. Also, cruise over to The Malawi Project, which really illustrates the tasks of citizen peacebuilding on the ground.

Posted by Visionista