ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. Reestablishing livelihoods is critical to post-conflict redevelopment and peacebuilding. Addressing competition and grievances over access to land, water, forests, and other natural resources-the building blocks of livelihoods in many developing countries-is another priority. All of these challenges involve livelihoods, the focus of this book. The book discusses interconnections between livelihoods, natural resources, and conflict. It provides valuable opportunity to enhance peacebuilding initiatives during the post-conflict period over both the short and the long term. Rebuilding institutional capacity and natural resource governance is central to post-conflict recovery. Understanding these linkages is an important step in resolving natural resource disputes, so as to promote cooperative management, equitable access, and sustainable natural resource use. This book focuses on the opportunities and challenges of using natural resource-based livelihoods as a potential peacebuilding tool. It examine livelihood-related peacebuilding initiatives in over twenty post-conflict countries and territories.
