Three Ways Positive Dialogue Builds Peace After Conflict in Liberia and Beyond

In the wake of violence, peace doesn’t emerge overnight—in many conflict-prone countries, tensions persist long after formal violence ends. Positive dialogue is critical at these times, as it offers numerous research-backed benefits. However, it is an often overlooked peacebuilding tool. In my research on peacebuilding in Liberia—a country recovering from two major civil wars—I have seen how ordinary people use dialogue to contribute to reconciliation, inclusion, and local agency in peacebuilding. This article focuses on three powerful ways in which positive dialogue fosters peace in fragile and divided societies.

1. Dialogue Rebuilds Trust and Humanizes the ‘Other’

After violent conflict, groups often view each other with suspicion or dehumanization. In Liberia, for example, ex-combatants and former youth militia members—many of whom became commercial motorcycle riders known as ‘pen-pen riders’—were widely viewed as aggressive and dangerous. They were stigmatized and often pushed to society’s margins. 

However, through intentional community dialogue and organizing, pen-pen riders began to transform public perceptions. Grassroots organizations began to form—involving the riders both as group members and dialogue participants—and acknowledged their value in getting information to people quickly when it was needed most. They led peaceful election campaigns, distributed Ebola prevention education, and spread peaceful messages on the radio and at community events. Perceptions of pen-pen riders started to shift from “violent outgroup” to “partner in peace”—not only in the eyes of community members but in the riders themselves.

As one rider reflected, “I got to understand the importance of my life. So the only way you can enjoy life is peace.” 

By creating space for people to speak—and be heard—dialogue shifted the narrative here. It reminded communities that those members who were once labeled as “threats” were also humans, neighbors, survivors, and peacebuilders. 

The same principle applies globally. In the United States, hates crimes have been on the rise in recent years, showing how dehumanization can fester in silence. Dialogue, in contrast, reclaims shared humanity and challenges hateful narratives.

2. Dialogue Builds Shared Identity in Times of Crisis

When crisis happen, societies can either come together or fracture even further. In Liberia, the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic threatened to destabilize already fragile communities. Misinformation, fear, and government mistrust were rampant. 

But dialogue made a difference. Local citizens, working with community partners, launched a grassroots awareness campaign. Pen-pen riders and others volunteered to disseminate public health messages and often tailored their communication to reflect local realities. In doing so, they fostered an unexpected solidarity among diverse groups of people. 

In my research, we observed a dramatic shift in language, from “them” versus “us” to “we” and “our.” Through engaging in often-difficult dialogue, one member of a grassroots organization said it was because of their group “that we are working together…Why should we have division among ourselves?…The group really brought us together and made differences go away, definitely.” 

This collective identity helped bridge multiple divides. However, the work was not easy or finished. Even as unity emerged, some groups—such as Ebola survivors and pen-pen riders—continued to face stigma. Dialogue is not an instant solution, but it is an essential foundation for collective healing and peace. 

Likewise, in the United States, crises like the rise in school shootings have left communities reeling. Yet in the aftermath, dialogue circles, interfaith gatherings, and youth forums have offered hope for rebuilding connection amid trauma. 

3. Dialogue Enables Community-Led Peacebuilding

All too often, peacebuilding is top-down, driven by donors or foreign governments rather than local communities. However, sustainable peace is best built from the ground up. In my work, I have witnessed how relationally attentive dialogue—listening across difference and organizing for well-being—equips ordinary people to shape their own sustainable peace. 

In advance of Liberia’s 2017 elections, local citizens organized a nonviolent voter education campaign. They engaged in multiple activities, including football matches, peace marches, radio talk shows, and town hall meetings. These community-driven efforts were not just symbolic, but they actively resisted attempts by political actors to inflame tensions.

This kind of dialogue-driven organizing recognizes the peace is not just a destination, but rather a daily practice. As my co-author and I wrote, “peace is constituted through the processes and act of organizing for well-being.” It is not just about preventing violence—it’s about building systems of care, inclusion, and dignity. 

Today, the need for local empowerment remains urgent. Recent reports from Liberia document ongoing gender-based violence and election-related tensions. In the United States, hate speech and political polarization continue to erode trust in institutions and neighbors alike. Supporting locally rooted dialogue efforts, especially those that amplify marginalized voices, can offer a pathway forward. 

Looking Ahead

Peacebuilding through dialogue is not easy. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to listen across deep divides. But as these examples from Liberia shows, it is possible and powerful. 

Governments, NGOs, and international donors must recognize and continue to support these community-led efforts. Rather than bringing in solutions, they should invest in dialogue infrastructure, such as local media, town hall meetings, youth initiatives, and grassroots coalitions. Every word exchanged in empathy and understanding is a step toward peace. 

Keywords: Liberia, pen-pen riders, dialogue, positive dialogue, peace, conflict, conflict resolution