eacebuilders are individuals dedicated to fostering non–violent solutions to conflict and building pathways toward lasting peace. Despite the critical role they play, their work is often misunderstood, undervalued, or even overlooked altogether. These misconceptions diminish not only our understanding of peacebuilding efforts but also of their impact.
Coming from a veteran peacebuilding practitioner, here are some of the myths about peacebuilders and peacebuilding efforts.
Peacebuilders are dreamers, not realists. Many believe peacebuilders are idealists detached from the harsh realities of conflict. In truth, peacebuilders are deeply grounded in the complexities of the environments they serve. Many have lived through violence themselves and carry with them a nuanced understanding of historical grievances, social tensions, and political dynamics. Rather than an abstract ideal, peacebuilding is practical and context–specific. It often involves direct, difficult engagement with communities, stakeholders, and power structures. It demands patience, persistence, and a strategic mindset rooted in lived experience.
Peacebuilders don’t make a real difference. Peacebuilding is often seen as symbolic, with minimal substantive impacts. However, numerous studies and reports demonstrate how peacebuilding initiatives have helped reduce violence, strengthen local leadership, and prevent the escalation of conflict. Peacebuilders often work quietly behind the scenes—facilitating dialogue, rebuilding trust, and addressing root causes of conflict long before violence makes headlines. Their efforts have saved lives, restored communities, and laid the foundation for sustainable peace.
Peacebuilders just sit and talk. Another misconception is that peacebuilders are limited to organizing discussions or holding workshops. While dialogue is a core tool, their work extends far beyond conversation. Peacebuilders mediate between warring groups, support justice and accountability processes, assist in trauma healing, mobilize youth and women leaders, and advocate for inclusive policies. They operate in some of the most difficult and dangerous spaces, serving as bridges between divided communities and facilitating measurable change.
Peacebuilders don’t engage in politics. Although peacebuilders are often seen as neutral actors, their work is inherently political—focused not on partisanship, but on justice, inclusion, and systemic transformation. They amplify the voices of marginalized groups—including women, ethnic and religious minorities, the poor, and the displaced. They advocate for governance systems that uphold human rights, ensure accountability, and leave no one behind. Their political engagement centers on building peace through equity, not division.
Peacebuilders are outsiders. There is a common assumption that peacebuilders are external actors unfamiliar with local dynamics. In reality, the most effective peacebuilders are those rooted in the communities they serve. They speak the language, share the culture, and carry a collective memory of trauma and hope. Local peacebuilders possess intimate knowledge of the social fabric and traditional mechanisms of reconciliation. Their proximity fosters trust and ownership, making their interventions more sustainable and legitimate than externally imposed solutions.
Peacebuilders are peaceful human beings. Peacebuilders are often perceived as calm, unshakable, and endlessly selfless—but this image is both incomplete and unfair. Peacebuilders are human. They work in high–stress, precarious environments and often carry the heavy emotional weight of trauma, grief, and burnout. Many have lived through the very conflicts they seek to resolve. They too feel anger, frustration, and exhaustion. Recognizing their humanity is vital. Prioritizing their mental health and wellbeing is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Healing spaces, peer support, and self–care must be woven into the fabric of peacebuilding efforts. Because sustainable peace cannot be built on exhausted hearts, it must begin with the inner peace of those leading the way.
Peacebuilding is a foreign idea. Another damaging myth is that peacebuilding is a Western concept. This perspective erases the rich traditions of peacemaking that exist across cultures and histories. Long before the term “peacebuilding” became popular, Indigenous and local communities used storytelling, rituals, restorative justice, and intergenerational dialogue to resolve disputes and heal divisions. From elders and faith leaders to women and youth, many have played vital roles in maintaining harmony through culturally rooted practices. Local peacebuilding is not only valid—it is vital.
What can we do to change this narrative?
Everyone has a role to play in supporting peacebuilders. Here’s how we can help shift the narrative and strengthen their work:
- Prioritize mental health. Center emotional wellbeing and healing in all peacebuilding programs. Peacebuilders cannot pour from an empty cup.
- Elevate their stories. Uplift authentic narratives that showcase the real work, challenges, and impact of peacebuilders in their communities.
- Amplify diverse voices. Ensure the inclusion of women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ+ communities in peace processes. Representation matters.
- Commit to long–term peace. Go beyond short–term fixes. Invest in sustainable, transformative efforts that address the root causes of conflict.
- Empower local efforts. Support community–led initiatives and trust local leadership. Peace is most effective when built from the ground up.
Peace begins where we are—at home, in schools, places of worship, markets, in the office, in the UN, or at the grassroots. It grows through simple acts of listening, respect, and care. Peacebuilders may light the path, but they cannot walk it alone. When we stand with them, we take a powerful step toward the just and peaceful world we all deserve.
a global affairs media network
Breaking myths, challenging misconceptions about peacebuilders
Image by Giani Gheorghe from Pixabay
June 3, 2025
Peacebuilders are integral to building lasting peace in conflict and post–conflict situations. Yet their work is often misunderstood and undervalued—diminishing both our understanding of peacebuilding efforts and their impact, writes Jamila–Aisha P. Sanguila.
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eacebuilders are individuals dedicated to fostering non–violent solutions to conflict and building pathways toward lasting peace. Despite the critical role they play, their work is often misunderstood, undervalued, or even overlooked altogether. These misconceptions diminish not only our understanding of peacebuilding efforts but also of their impact.
Coming from a veteran peacebuilding practitioner, here are some of the myths about peacebuilders and peacebuilding efforts.
Peacebuilders are dreamers, not realists. Many believe peacebuilders are idealists detached from the harsh realities of conflict. In truth, peacebuilders are deeply grounded in the complexities of the environments they serve. Many have lived through violence themselves and carry with them a nuanced understanding of historical grievances, social tensions, and political dynamics. Rather than an abstract ideal, peacebuilding is practical and context–specific. It often involves direct, difficult engagement with communities, stakeholders, and power structures. It demands patience, persistence, and a strategic mindset rooted in lived experience.
Peacebuilders don’t make a real difference. Peacebuilding is often seen as symbolic, with minimal substantive impacts. However, numerous studies and reports demonstrate how peacebuilding initiatives have helped reduce violence, strengthen local leadership, and prevent the escalation of conflict. Peacebuilders often work quietly behind the scenes—facilitating dialogue, rebuilding trust, and addressing root causes of conflict long before violence makes headlines. Their efforts have saved lives, restored communities, and laid the foundation for sustainable peace.
Peacebuilders just sit and talk. Another misconception is that peacebuilders are limited to organizing discussions or holding workshops. While dialogue is a core tool, their work extends far beyond conversation. Peacebuilders mediate between warring groups, support justice and accountability processes, assist in trauma healing, mobilize youth and women leaders, and advocate for inclusive policies. They operate in some of the most difficult and dangerous spaces, serving as bridges between divided communities and facilitating measurable change.
Peacebuilders don’t engage in politics. Although peacebuilders are often seen as neutral actors, their work is inherently political—focused not on partisanship, but on justice, inclusion, and systemic transformation. They amplify the voices of marginalized groups—including women, ethnic and religious minorities, the poor, and the displaced. They advocate for governance systems that uphold human rights, ensure accountability, and leave no one behind. Their political engagement centers on building peace through equity, not division.
Peacebuilders are outsiders. There is a common assumption that peacebuilders are external actors unfamiliar with local dynamics. In reality, the most effective peacebuilders are those rooted in the communities they serve. They speak the language, share the culture, and carry a collective memory of trauma and hope. Local peacebuilders possess intimate knowledge of the social fabric and traditional mechanisms of reconciliation. Their proximity fosters trust and ownership, making their interventions more sustainable and legitimate than externally imposed solutions.
Peacebuilders are peaceful human beings. Peacebuilders are often perceived as calm, unshakable, and endlessly selfless—but this image is both incomplete and unfair. Peacebuilders are human. They work in high–stress, precarious environments and often carry the heavy emotional weight of trauma, grief, and burnout. Many have lived through the very conflicts they seek to resolve. They too feel anger, frustration, and exhaustion. Recognizing their humanity is vital. Prioritizing their mental health and wellbeing is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Healing spaces, peer support, and self–care must be woven into the fabric of peacebuilding efforts. Because sustainable peace cannot be built on exhausted hearts, it must begin with the inner peace of those leading the way.
Peacebuilding is a foreign idea. Another damaging myth is that peacebuilding is a Western concept. This perspective erases the rich traditions of peacemaking that exist across cultures and histories. Long before the term “peacebuilding” became popular, Indigenous and local communities used storytelling, rituals, restorative justice, and intergenerational dialogue to resolve disputes and heal divisions. From elders and faith leaders to women and youth, many have played vital roles in maintaining harmony through culturally rooted practices. Local peacebuilding is not only valid—it is vital.
What can we do to change this narrative?
Everyone has a role to play in supporting peacebuilders. Here’s how we can help shift the narrative and strengthen their work:
- Prioritize mental health. Center emotional wellbeing and healing in all peacebuilding programs. Peacebuilders cannot pour from an empty cup.
- Elevate their stories. Uplift authentic narratives that showcase the real work, challenges, and impact of peacebuilders in their communities.
- Amplify diverse voices. Ensure the inclusion of women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ+ communities in peace processes. Representation matters.
- Commit to long–term peace. Go beyond short–term fixes. Invest in sustainable, transformative efforts that address the root causes of conflict.
- Empower local efforts. Support community–led initiatives and trust local leadership. Peace is most effective when built from the ground up.
Peace begins where we are—at home, in schools, places of worship, markets, in the office, in the UN, or at the grassroots. It grows through simple acts of listening, respect, and care. Peacebuilders may light the path, but they cannot walk it alone. When we stand with them, we take a powerful step toward the just and peaceful world we all deserve.
