ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on forgiveness, reconciliation and transitional justice, themes that are emerging within mainstream peace studies institutions and publications. It discusses 'community cohesion' which focuses on peaceful relations within today's diverse and rapidly changing urban environments. In a text that has become perhaps the best-known work on reconciliation, the American peace studies expert Lederach formulated the idea that reconciliation between former enemies might take place if several factors were brought into public settlements. 'Community Cohesion' is a relatively new term that has come to prominence in the UK in the past five years or so. It refers to a set of policies that have become increasingly important in the context of large-scale international migration. Many experts predict that international migration will become even more intense, driven by factors such as conflicts, environmental disasters, climate change and cheap international travel. Countries like the UK may be seen as favourable alternatives to people caught in desperate circumstances elsewhere.
