War and political violence can cause deep chasms and schisms in societies and among states. In the aftermath of violent conflicts, societies have to situate these painful, traumatic events in their collective memory, among others in the form of commemoration events.

History shows that commemorations can take place in various ways. Historically speaking, commemorations have often contributed to maintaining social and inter-state conflicts and tensions. At the same time, commemorations can also constitute an incentive and stimulus to organise a movement to avoid and ban wars and violent conflicts, based on the experience and the memory of the horrific violence. Commemorations and collective memory then contribute to underpinning the practice of peace, and, by recognising the mutual suffering, to bringing about reconciliation.

The Peace Institute examines the role of commemoration and remembrance in general, but also focuses on the existing commemoration practices, among others in the run-up to the commemoration of the Centenary of the First World War.

Docuclips

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14-18 van dichtbij: Inspiratie voor lokale projecten over de Grote Oorlog

Oorlog herdenken om de vredesgedachte te versterken

Publications