Making Meaning of Peace: A Study of Adolescents in Bogota, Colombia

In post-conflict and transitional settings, adolescents are important civic political actors as potential peacebuilders. Policy programming often focus on promoting prosocial outcomes for these younger generations, but there has been growing attention to their perspectives psychological development. Drawing theory in developmental psychology, interpret respond context forming ideas about key concepts like peace, understanding society place it, constructing orientations toward peace. This study extends current literature by exploring how Colombian describe peace within the of a process country. Ninety-six 15- 18-year-olds around Bogotá, Colombia, were interviewed Their responses analyzed inductively using an adapted thematic analysis. Findings indicated that individual was central respondents talked peace; is, begins depends internal states. From this basis, individuals then created through interpersonal relations. There some differences respondents’ SES, such described requiring equality society, none found gender or age. demonstrates need provide concrete opportunities see contributions broader possible.