OxPeace 2017: Concepts of Positive Peace in Peacebuilding Programmes
Negative Peace is when violence has stopped, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. It is thus often seen as an unsustainable peace, since violence may erupt again.
Positive Peace by contrast is when people and institutions have the ability to resolve or at least manage their differences without recourse to violence, while continuing to make progress in improving their lives – a process which often gives rise to new conflicts. In his presentation Phil will define and explain Positive Peace, and illustrate this with practical peacebuilding examples and challenges at local, national and international levels.