Discover truth and reconciliation initiatives transforming conflict around the world. See how they promote forgiveness and healing.

by Taylor O’Connor and Mustapha Ali | 7 October 2024

Photo by Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash

“Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn’t be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.” – Corazon Aquino

When I’ve worked in post-conflict contexts or discussed with colleagues and friends about post-conflict transitions, often people bring up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) from post-apartheid South Africa, launched in 1995. Same thing when you watch the news or anything in mainstream media. The key example everyone cites is the TRC from South Africa.

And well, this isn’t an area of my expertise either, so that’s the only example that comes to mind. But I knew there must be lots more initiatives out there focused on truth and reconciliation, on forgiveness and healing in post-conflict situations. There is plenty of war and violent conflict in the world. So what happens once violence settles down?

I figured that there must be some good examples out there go guide us. So I did a bit of research and mapped a bunch of interesting initiatives for truth and reconciliation that are transforming conflict around the world. Some are national initiatives and others are international. Some were setup following specific conflicts then closed down once no longer needed while others are ongoing.

I mapped them below to help show peacebuilders and others interested to promote truth, forgiveness, healing and reconciliation in any context some good examples that can inspire you in your efforts for reconciliation.

Key terms associated with truth and reconciliation

To help all readers understand the focus of this blog post, I have included a few key definitions below. All initiatives in this blog post focus on truth and reconciliation. Many also discuss restorative justice or transitional justice, but these are different approaches. Organizations focused on restorative justice only or transitional justice only, but that don’t have any focus on truth, forgiveness or reconciliation are not included.

Truth and reconciliation: Truth and Reconciliation is a framework used in post-conflict or post-oppressive societies to address historical wrongs. It involves uncovering and documenting past abuses, fostering open dialogue between divided communities, and creating recommendations for future justice and reform, helping to rebuild relationships and trust. (United Nations)

Restorative justice: Restorative justice in post-conflict scenarios involves bringing together victims and offenders to discuss the impact of the offenses and to collaboratively determine how to make amends. This process promotes understanding and healing, aiming to reintegrate offenders into the community while acknowledging and addressing the needs and experiences of victims. It serves as a means of social repair, helping to mend the divisions caused by conflict. (Little Book of Restorative Justice)

Transitional justice: Transitional justice refers to the set of judicial and non-judicial measures implemented to address the legacy of human rights abuses and atrocities in post-conflict societies. It encompasses various mechanisms, including truth commissions, reparations, and legal accountability, aimed at fostering accountability, promoting reconciliation, and ensuring that such violations do not recur. This approach is essential for rebuilding trust in institutions and restoring societal cohesion. (International Center for Transitional Justice).

Lessons learned on truth and reconciliation

In researching and mapping truth and reconciliation initiatives I learned a lot, both about key activities taken in such initiatives, but also about a range of aims and approaches taken by such initiatives.

Key approaches taken to promote truth and reconciliation:

Organizing workshops and facilitating dialogue among divided communities.
Truth-telling initiatives about historical violence.
Collecting and sharing personal stories from victims and perpetrators, providing platforms for public acknowledgment and healing.
Hosting public dialogues, educational programs, and media outreach.
Conducting research, gathering testimonies from victims and perpetrators, and publishing reports detailing findings and recommendations.
Advocating for truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reforms.

Lessons learned about differing aims and approaches across initiatives:

Most initiatives focus on forgiveness and societal healing. Most explicitly aim to break cycles of violence.
Some also have some element of bringing political leaders who are responsible for atrocities to justice. A few seek to bring other perpetrators to justice.
Some initiatives are focused on just one country or context, others have a global focus, and some national initiatives now work to support truth and reconciliation initiatives in other countries.
The general rationale of these initiatives is that by addressing historical trauma, they hope to prevent the recurrence of past atrocities
Some organizations focus on the atrocities of past wars, others on violence associated with colonization and struggles for independence, while others address abuses by dictatorships, state violence against Indigenous or minority populations, racism, or communal violence.
Most organizations advocate for victims of violence or mass atrocities

Truth and Reconciliation Initiatives

I have organized the truth and reconciliation initiatives I found into three categories:

Organizations that work directly with people
Organizations that focus on history, remembrance and reconciliation
Truth and Reconciliation Commissions

Terms like reconciliation, forgiveness, and restorative justice tend to be used quite broadly. There are hundreds of initiatives around the world that use these terms. Many are focused on violent crime and are associated with the criminal justice system, but these are not included. More are also small, local or national initiatives. These are also not included. Here I have only included initiatives that work in post-conflict situations that focus on truth and reconciliation, and that are large and well-established initiatives.

I have also not included the following:

University study programs about restorative justice, transitional justice, reconciliation, etc.
Human rights groups that advocate for the rights of victims of mass atrocities, genocide and other forms of violence, but have no component of forgiveness, healing or reconciliation
War tribunals focused on punishment of war criminals for gross human rights violations and atrocity crimes, not forgiveness, healing or reconciliation
Initiatives focused on educating about histories of violence and inequality
Museums that focus on educating about histories of violence or inequality
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) initiatives

Organizations that work directly with people

The organizations in this section engage in dialogue and reconciliation, working directly with people and local communities. They organize workshops, facilitate dialogue among divided communities, and engaging in truth-telling initiatives to confront historical grievances and human rights violations. Many also include educational programs, host public gatherings, and do media outreach.

Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation | USA

The Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Selma, Alabama. They bring together diverse communities in Selma to confront the painful truths of history, foster understanding, and heal the wounds of the past. The center organizes workshops, community dialogues, and truth-telling initiatives to address historical violence in Selma and to promote forgiveness and understanding.

The Beyond Conflict | global

Beyond Conflict uses the power of storytelling and shared experiences to foster peace and reconciliation in societies affected by conflict. They work to help communities navigate the challenges of transition from violence to peace by providing expertise in conflict resolution, dialogue, and truth-telling. Through strategic partnerships, they support leaders and grassroots organizations in addressing deep-rooted divisions and building inclusive societies.

Glencree Center for Reconciliation | Northern Ireland

Founded in 1974, the Glencree Center for Reconciliation works to promote dialogue and understanding among divided communities in Northern Ireland. They organize workshops and create safe spaces for discussions, working to transform histories of violence and promote forgiveness and reconciliation. Glencree played a pivotal role in the Irish Peace Process, bringing together those in conflict for dialogues, engaging in behind-the-scenes diplomacy, and hosting public discourses. In recent years, Glencree has led activities sharing about the legacy of conflict for victims/survivors and has worked to promote inclusion of refugee populations in Northern Ireland, and has been involved in promoting reconciliation in over 10 conflict and post-conflict countries.

The Parents Circle – Families Forum | Palestine-Israel

Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of over 700 bereaved families, all of whom have lost immediate family members due to the ongoing conflict. They work to promote reconciliation and a non-violent resolution to the conflict by using their personal stories of loss to advocate for dialogue and mutual understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. Through educational initiatives, public gatherings, and media outreach, they strive to foster dialogue, tolerance, and peace, transcending the pain of bereavement to create a bridge for reconciliation.

Fundación para la Reconciliación | Colombia

Fundación para la Reconciliación is a Colombian organization focused on fostering social healing and reconciliation in communities affected by violence and conflict. They work to transform cycles of violence into peaceful coexistence through educational programs that emphasize forgiveness, empathy, and restorative justice. The foundation works with schools, local communities, and institutions to promote peacebuilding initiatives, including its flagship program, Escuelas de Perdón y Reconciliación (Schools of Forgiveness and Reconciliation).

Healing Through Remembering | Northern Ireland

Healing Through Remembering works to address he legacy of the past conflict in Northern Ireland by fostering remembrance and dialogue. They bring people from different backgrounds together to explore how remembering the conflict can contribute to healing, reconciliation, and the prevention of future violence. They also conduct research, organize workshops, and organize events centered around storytelling, remembrance, and truth recovery.

The Musalaha | Palestine-Israel

Musalaha is a faith-based organization that promotes reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians by fostering dialogue, understanding, and trust across religious and cultural divides. Their definition of reconciliation is twofold: restoring individual and group relationships, and addressing systematic injustices. They work to equip individuals and communities with tools for peacebuilding and conflict resolution through workshops, training, and shared experiences. Musalaha’s programs focus on youth, women, and community leaders, emphasizing the principles of nonviolence and reconciliation as pathways to lasting peace.

Organizations that focus on history, remembrance and reconciliation

Organizations listed below are focused on history, remembrance and reconciliation. They often focus on healing, forgiveness and cultural change. Common activities include truth-telling about historic violence and/or injustices, collecting and sharing personal stories from victims and perpetrators, organizing public dialogues and educational programs, and conducting research on the historical roots of conflicts. They frequently work with local communities to facilitate and engage in advocacy for truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reforms with a focus on restorative justice and breaking the cycle of violence. Some include elements of transitional justice.

The Forgiveness Project | UK and global

Forgiveness Project is a UK-based organization that collects and shares real-life stories of forgiveness to inspire individuals and communities affected by conflict. They work to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and personal healing by providing platforms for people to explore the transformative power of forgiveness. They lead educational programs, exhibitions, and public talks, to encourage reflection on restorative justice and the role forgiveness plays in resolving conflicts and moving towards peace. Their website has great resources on forgiveness and reconciliation.

Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation | global

The Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation (IHJR) promotes peace and reconciliation through historical research and dialogue in societies affected by conflict. They work to address historical grievances, challenge historical narratives that fuel divisions, and foster mutual understanding and inclusiveness in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies by addressing unresolved historical legacies. The main focus of their work is to engage historians, educators, and civil society in collaborative research projects. The IHJR aims to build bridges between communities by developing shared historical narratives that contribute to long-term reconciliation and peacebuilding.

Institut malien de recherche-action pour la paix (The Malian Institute of Research Action for Peace) | Mali

Institut malien de recherche-action pour la paix (IMRAP). The Malian Institute of Research Action for Peace in English) is a Mali-based organization focused on promoting reconciliation in communities affected by conflict. They conduct research and facilitate dialogue that brings together local communities, civil society, and policymakers to foster understanding and collective solutions to violence. IMRAP’s key activities include community engagement, conflict resolution workshops, and promoting the inclusion of marginalized voices in peace processes to strengthen national unity.

International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) | global

The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) supports societies around the world to confront legacies of mass atrocities and human rights violations, helping them to build more just, peaceful, and inclusive societies. They provide expertise in truth-seeking, accountability, reparations, and institutional reforms in post-conflict contexts, helping victims of abuse to seek justice and reconciliation. ICTJ works in countries recovering from conflict or repressive regimes, offering practical guidance on how to establish rule of law, promote healing, and prevent the recurrence of violence or repression.

Global Initiative for Justice, Truth and Reconciliation | global

The Global Initiative for Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation (GIJTR) works to promote and support transitional justice efforts worldwide, particularly through community engagement and local partnerships. Their efforts work to strengthen the capacity of civil society to advocate for justice and accountability in post-conflict settings, emphasizing the importance of truth and reconciliation in healing divided societies. GIJTR provides resources, training, and technical assistance to organizations and communities working on transitional justice initiatives, helping them to navigate complex political landscapes and ensure that victims’ voices are heard. By addressing past trauma, they hope to change the future.

Memoria Abierta (Open Memory) | Argentina

Memoria Abierta is an Argentine organization dedicated to promoting human rights and memory in the context of the country’s past dictatorship, focusing on the crimes committed during the “Dirty War.” They work to preserve the memory of victims, support truth-seeking efforts, and advocate for justice and reparations for those affected by state terrorism. Memoria Abierta engages in various activities, including research, public education, and the promotion of historical memory, aiming to foster a culture of human rights and prevent the recurrence of past atrocities.

Truth and Reconciliation Commissions

This section includes an overview of four Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRCs). The prescident was set by the TRC of South Africa in 1995, and since then TRCs have been established in many countries around the world. Then tend to have a specific mandate, they conduct their work, then they close down. Most don’t have websites, but a few do and so I have included them below. TRCs from Rwanda, Peru, Guatemala, East Timor, Liberia, El Salvador, Tunisia, Nepal, Burundi and many more do not have websites, so are not included.

TRCs typically focus on uncovering the truth about past human rights violations in conflict or oppressive regimes as part of efforts toward societal healing and justice. Their activities include gathering testimonies from victims and perpetrators, holding public hearings, and conducting thorough investigations to document the scale and nature of atrocities. They provide platforms for dialogue, promote public acknowledgment of harm, and produce comprehensive reports detailing their findings and recommendations. The approach often emphasizes restorative justice, fostering reconciliation between divided communities, and providing frameworks to prevent future violence and ensure accountability.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission | South Africa

Established in 1995, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of South Africa was as trailblazing initiative for truth and reconciliation initiatives worldwide. It was established after the end of apartheid to address the human rights violations that occurred between 1960 and 1994. Its purpose was to promote national unity and reconciliation by uncovering the truth about past atrocities, facilitating dialogue, and providing a platform for victims and perpetrators to share their experiences. Through public hearings, investigations, and the documentation of testimonies, the TRC aimed to create a historical record of abuses and promote healing and understanding within South African society. The website itself is a bit out of date, but still includes lots of information.

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation | Canada

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) documents and preserves the history and legacy of the Indian Residential School System in Canada. It works to promote healing and reconciliation by ensuring that the stories of survivors and their families are heard and acknowledged, while also educating the public about the impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities. The NCTR manages a comprehensive archive of testimonies, documents, and records related to the residential school experience, aiming to support ongoing efforts toward truth and reconciliation in Canada.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission | Sierra Leone

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Sierra Leone was established to address the human rights violations and atrocities committed during the Sierra Leone Civil War from 1991 to 2002. It worked to uncover the truth about the conflict, promote healing and reconciliation, and provide recommendations for preventing future violence in the country. The TRC of Sierra Leone engaged in public hearings, community consultations, and documented testimonies to create a comprehensive account of the conflict’s impact on individuals and society, fostering a culture of accountability and understanding.

Comisión de la Verdad (Truth Commission) | Colombia

The Comisión de la Verdad (Truth Commission) in Colombia is a body established to investigate and clarify the violent history of the country’s armed conflict, addressing the human rights violations that occurred over decades. Its purpose is to promote truth, justice, and reconciliation by providing a comprehensive understanding of the conflict’s impact on individuals and communities, particularly focusing on the experiences of victims. The Commission engages in dialogue with various stakeholders, conducts research, and produces reports aimed at fostering national healing and preventing the repetition of past atrocities.

You can promote truth and reconciliation

As you see from this article, there exists a diverse array of truth and reconciliation initiatives around the world. By exploring these examples, we can gain insights and inspiration to inform our own efforts to build peace. Whether you’re a practitioner, a scholar, or simply someone passionate about peace and justice, I encourage you to learn more about these initiatives, learn from their experiences, and consider how you integrate reconciliation appraches in peace activities you are involved in in your own community.

If you found this article helpful and want to find more blog posts like this mapping organizations that build peace across a wide array of themes be sure to check out our Resources page!

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