Abstract

This paper contributes to the growing debate within the peace-building literature on who and what constitutes “the local”. It explores the challenges associated with attempts to arrive at a universal framing for the particular groups that make up ‘the local’. Scholars, practitioners and policy makers have developed different peace-building interventions that have focused on improving and sustaining peace among different populations. However, evidences continue to show that these actions target specific groups who are identified through processes of mapping, specifically with reference to their relevance, impacts and abilities to enforce and influence long-term changes within societies. These actors leverage and consistently engage the population to strengthen the effectiveness of diverse peace-building efforts. Drawing on examples from Myanmar and Nigeria, this paper conceptualizes “the local” as a product of individual constructions and experiences, particularly by demonstrating a clear understanding of conflict zones and how different actors influence actions and inactions that affect the overall process of peace-building.