Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, & Conflict (Third Edition): Peacemaking and Peacebuilding

It is the purpose of this article to examine some of the various strategies and methods adopted by those engaged in dynamic peacebuilding and peacemaking activities. The topic is examined through a number of lenses, exploring the various fields of action and research that the global communities are currently working on to try to maximize peace in our global community and to minimize conflict and violence. These topics include the following: firstly, educational strategies for peacebuilding in which we consider the variety of ways this are being explored, including peace research; the scientific approaches to peacebuilding; next the religious approaches to peacebuilding and then the way that the arts are being utilized; psychological approaches to peacemaking, as well as the way the media could be doing more, along with the complex issue of information technology; next the universe of mediation, justice, law, and human rights and their role in peacebuilding, as well as environmental issues; then political science and social and economic dimensions of peacebuilding; and finally, the overall philosophical approaches to peacebuilding arguing that a joined up, interdisciplinary approach is necessary if we are to succeed in our mission as peace scholars.