ABSTRACT
The transition of violence to peace often begins when different factions enter into negotiations and start what is commonly known as a peace process. Among the challenges to implementing a political agreement and fulfilling the promises made during formal peace processes is gaining public support on the ground. The literature on post-conflict transformation emphasizes that the sustainability of peace agreements requires topdown and bottom-up approaches or, in other words, involvement from the entire society (Miall et al. 1999). Some scholars acknowledge that peacebuilding approaches must target the populations that typically experience the violence and trauma associated with war (Lederach 1997). For instance, Saunders (2001) argues that peace agreements will not produce peace until they focus on transforming relationships among citizens on the ground or a “public peace process.” However, little is known about effective strategies to enhance the support of the people on the ground or the factors that may lead them to withdraw their support for peace processes and renew violence.
