Beyond Violence

I have been asked to reflect with you this morning on the challenges and dilemmas posed in building sustainable peace in the context of what has come to be known in international circles as the “postaccord” or what some of you here are calling the “postconflict phase.” I am honored to be here with you, to be afforded such a privilege, and especially honored to have the opportunity to think with you, people for whom I have longstanding respect and admiration. I must say, however, that it is much easier to expound on these questions in the safety of the classroom back in America. In my experience, it seems that the further you get from a problem the easier the answers are. There are two things I have learned over the years in my line of work: (1) Never offer answers. Offer to think with people about ideas. (2) Learn to appreciate and to live with ambiguities. Ambiguity is good for your soul. It keeps you honest. It keeps you humble. It keeps you searching. So, I come here this morning without pretensions, willing to wade with you in the thick waters of wonderful Irish ambiguity, and hoping not to drown…