Bridging Divides: A Review of Community-Based Peacebuilding in Conflict-Affected Societies Through a Social Work Perspective

Abstract

Conflict-affected societies face complex challenges that extend beyond the cessation of hostilities to include deep-seated social fragmentation, trauma, and structural inequality. While traditional peacebuilding has often prioritized top-down political agreements, there is a growing consensus on the necessity of community-based, bottom-up approaches. This review paper examines the intersection of social work practice and community-based peacebuilding. It synthesizes existing literature to explore how social work theories, ethics, and methodologies contribute to conflict transformation. Key themes include the role of social workers in psychosocial support, mediation, and structural advocacy, as well as the ethical dilemmas inherent in practicing within volatile environments. The review concludes that social work offers a unique "person-in-environment" framework essential for sustainable peace, though gaps remain in empirical evidence and decolonized practice models.