Two faculty members from the Jackson School of Global Affairs, Professor Catherine Panter-Brick and Senior Fellow Bisa Williams, conducted field research on peacebuilding in Mauritania over the summer as part of the school’s new Peacebuilding Initiative. Collaborating with the Diplomatic Academy of Mauritania and the University of Nouakchott, the team led focus group discussions involving six key population groups, including diplomats, scholars, university students, and local parents. Participants were asked to describe “everyday peace” and identify factors that influence a peace ecosystem, employing a participatory approach to capture diverse perspectives.

The research used fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM), a methodology where participants create visual “mental maps” of peace, which are then used for quantitative scenario analysis. This technique, also applied by Panter-Brick in previous work with refugees in Jordan, provided insights into how governance, socioeconomic conditions, community values, and safety contribute to peace. The findings revealed layered understandings of peace, highlighting concepts such as justice, power, coexistence, and respect. Williams noted that students expressed a hopeful outlook for the future and valued good governance, suggesting positive implications for peacebuilding efforts.

The study is part of the broader Peacebuilding Initiative at Jackson, supported by a faculty grant from the MacMillan Center. This initiative includes not only innovative research but also courses for undergraduates and graduates at Yale, and it hosted the “Building Peace Across Generations” colloquium in spring 2024.

~~~
To learn more, visit the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs website.