Johan Galtung, in his comprehensive vision of peace, places reconciliation at the center as a fundamental process for healing the wounds of the past and building a shared future between parties that have been in conflict. Reconciliation goes beyond the simple absence of violence or the signing of a peace agreement; it involves a profound change in the relationships between the parties, based on mutual recognition, forgiveness, and the rebuilding of trust.

Galtung conceives reconciliation as a complex and multifaceted process that encompasses different dimensions:

Truth: it involves the acknowledgment of what happened during the conflict, including human rights violations, the suffering caused, and the responsibilities of each party. The search for truth may involve the creation of truth commissions, investigating war crimes, and commemorating the victims.
Justice: it involves repairing the damages caused to the victims and prosecuting those responsible for human rights violations. Justice is not limited to retributive justice (punishment of the guilty), but also includes restorative justice (repairing the harm to the victims and the community).
Healing: it involves the process of healing the emotional and psychological wounds caused by the conflict. This can include individual and group therapy, psychosocial support programs, and collective mourning processes.
Rebuilding relationships: it involves rebuilding trust between the parties and creating new relationships based on mutual respect, cooperation, and understanding. This can include intergroup dialogue, joint development projects, and cultural activities that promote encounter and exchange.

Galtung emphasizes that reconciliation is not a linear or easy process. It requires time, effort, and the commitment of all parties involved. There may be resistance, obstacles, and setbacks. However, reconciliation is essential for building lasting peace and preventing the repetition of the cycle of violence.

Galtung also emphasizes the importance of the cultural context in reconciliation processes. There is no single model of reconciliation that is valid for all cultures. It is important to consider the values, norms, and cultural traditions of each context to design reconciliation processes that are relevant and effective.

Reconciliation, according to Galtung, is not only a process between the parties directly involved in the conflict but also involves society as a whole. Reconciliation requires a deep cultural change that promotes tolerance, respect for diversity, empathy, and peaceful conflict resolution.

In summary, reconciliation, as conceived by Galtung, is a fundamental process for peacebuilding, especially in post-conflict contexts. It involves a complex and long-term path that seeks to heal the wounds of the past, rebuild trust, and create a shared future based on justice, truth, and mutual respect. It is a process that involves society as a whole and requires a deep cultural shift towards a culture of peace.

Johan Galtung (born in 1930) is a Norwegian sociologist and mathematician recognized as one of the founders of peace and conflict studies. His work has been essential in understanding the dynamics of violence, peace, and development in the international sphere.