Ministries of peacebuilding in sub-Saharan Africa: rationale, functions and establishment

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Periodical article

Title:	Ministries of peacebuilding in sub-Saharan Africa: rationale, functions and establishment
Author:	Harris, Geoff
Year:	2011
Periodical:	African Security Review (ISSN 2154-0128)
Volume:	20
Issue:	1
Pages:	122-133
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:	peacebuilding government departments
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10246029.2011.561024
Abstract:	This paper begins by explaining the concept of a culture of peace and contrasts it with a culture of violence. It argues that traditional ways of trying to achieve peace - based on force or threat of force - are costly, ineffective and of doubtful morality. At the same time, nonviolent means have achieved some formidable successes. The paper proposes the establishment of national ministries of peacebuilding to coordinate and implement the building of cultures of peace in sub-Saharan Africa. The broad tasks and specific functions of such ministries are explained and some likely objections are answered. The paper concludes with a discussion of the necessary conditions for such ministries to be established and to be effective in building cultures of peace. Ref., sum. (p. X). [Journal abstract]