Communities may already have many ways of responding when conflict occurs. Family members, Elders, cultural leaders, community organisations, police, courts and other services may each have a role.

These responses can be important, particularly where immediate protection, legal action or specialist support is required. However, they may not always address the relationships underneath the conflict or the conditions that allow the same problems to return.

A fight may be stopped without the disagreement being resolved.

A legal decision may be made without relationships being repaired.

People may be told to stay apart while the wider family remains divided.

Community peacemaking offers another pathway. It provides time and support for people to talk about the conflict, understand its relational and community effects, and take part in determining what should happen next.

Communities may choose to develop peacemaking because they want to:

• respond earlier, before conflict becomes more serious;
• prevent disagreements from spreading through families;
• create culturally grounded responses to local concerns;
• strengthen the role of respected community members;
• help people take responsibility for the effects of their actions;
• support healing and the restoration of relationships;
• reduce repeated fighting and continuing community disruption; and
• build greater local capability to maintain peace.

Peacemaking does not need to replace existing cultural practices, community responses or professional services. Its role should be determined alongside them.

The decision to develop peacemaking should come from genuine community interest and careful discussion. It should not be introduced simply because an organisation, agency or funding body considers it a useful program.