ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines what happen when war formally ends, the difficult and complex challenges and opportunities for winning the peace and reconciling divided communities. The most difficult challenges that face war-torn societies are how to end war and build the peace. The book focuses on the analysis of the Sierra Leone model and the role and contribution of the international community as well as local/domestic actors. It outlines the effects that the liberal peace building security agenda has had on the political economy of Sierra Leone, and thus on the governments articulation of the intersection of economic, development and security priorities. The book evaluates the catalytic role that higher education could play in developing and sustaining a culture of peace in postwar Sierra Leone and it potential relevance for other post-conflict societies.
