ABSTRACT
Several chapters in this collection show that peace studies has been a growing multidisciplinary endeavour foratleasttwo generations. Amongits important areas offocus have been nonviolence as political philosophy; theories of conflict transformation; peace education; critique of military power including atomic weapons; third party roles to reduce violent conflict; democratic empowerment and nonviolent social movements. As new problems and forms of violent conflict have come to the fore in the past decade, new areas of study have gained prominence including aid-work in conflict zones, interreligious dialogue, asymmetrical war. counter-terrorism and human rights. Chapter 5, for example, introduces a concept of security extended to include gender and environmental violence, arising from a peace studies perspective. This chapter reports on forgiveness, reconciliation and transitional justice, themes that are emerging within mainstream peace studies institutions and publications. It also discusses 'community cohesion' which focuses on peaceful relations within today's diverse and rapidly changing urban environments. For readers' convenience, the bibliography notes some important relevant publications.
