Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

InfrastructureInfrastructure is required to provide the necessary logistical mechanisms, socialspace and institutions that support the peacebuilding processes and effect the envisagedchanges. Peacebuilding infrastructure can be compared to the foundations andpillars that hold up a house: while people and their relations are the foundations, thepillars symbolize the social spaces. Both need to transform from violence to increasedrespect and interdependence, increased involvement and the acceptance of individualresponsibility for building peace.2.3 Peacebuilding dimensionsPeacebuilding measures involve all levels of society, target all aspects of the statestructure and require a wide variety of agents for their implementation. While externalagents can facilitate and support peacebuilding, it must be driven by internalforces; it cannot be imposed from outside. Peacebuilding aims at creating an environmentconducive to self‐sustaining and durable peace, and to prevent conflictfrom re‐emerging. Therefore parties must replace the spiral of violence and destructionwith a spiral of peace and development. The creation of such an environmenthas the following three central dimensions. Each of these dimensions relies on differentstrategies and techniques 21 .2 . P e a c e b u i l d i n g 33