Memory and Peace Processes

Memory and peace processes are interconnected because shared memories of past conflicts, injustices, or violence influence a community’s ability to move forward. Recognizing and addressing these collective memories—through truth-telling, reconciliation, or acknowledgment—helps heal wounds and build trust. This process fosters understanding, reduces tensions, and supports genuine peace by ensuring that past grievances are acknowledged and learned from. Effectively managing collective memory is essential for sustaining durable peace, especially in societies emerging from conflict, as it creates a foundation for cooperation and coexistence.