title: Community based rehabilitation: a strategy for peace-building.
abstract: BACKGROUND: Certain features of peace-building distinguish it from peacekeeping, and make it an appropriate strategy in dealing with vertical conflict and low intensity conflict. However, some theorists suggest that attempts, through peace-building, to impose liberal values upon non-democratic cultures are misguided and lack an ethical basis. DISCUSSION: We have been investigating the peace-building properties of community based approaches to disability in a number of countries. This paper describes the practice and impact of peace-building through Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) strategies in the context of armed conflict. The ethical basis for peace-building through practical community initiatives is explored. A number of benefits and challenges to using CBR strategies for peace-building purposes are identified. SUMMARY: During post-conflict reconstruction, disability is a powerful emotive lever that can be used to mobilize cooperation between factions. We suggest that civil society, in contrast to state-level intervention, has a valuable role in reducing the risks of conflict through community initiatives.
authors.affiliation: Community Health and Epidemiology and Education, Queen's University, Kingston Ontario Canada, K7L 3N6. boycew@post.queensu.ca
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boyce
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koros
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hodgson