A Peace Which Unites: A Study of the Peacemaking Approach of the Community of Sant’Egidio

As the world continues to become more intertwined, complex, and dynamic, so too do the conflicts that affect our societies. Conflicts are becoming more intractable and less conducive to traditional approaches to peacemaking and political resolution, thus presenting a grave and immediate problem for the larger international community to address. In the past decade non-state actors have been emerging as peace mediators, presenting their own unique approaches to peacemaking which has proven successful in a number of cases. This thesis analyzes the case of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay Catholic association which has become known for its noteworthy Track 1.5 peace mediation efforts around the world. Using direct experience and personal interviews with the mediators from Sant’Egidio, I analyze the etymology of the Community's peacework through applying a historical review of the genesis of the Community, specifically the impact of Vatican II. I describe the key facets of Sant’Egidio's charism through the integrated lens of the "Three P's" of prayer, poor, and peace. In subsequent case studies I highlight and explain the differences in Sant'Egidio's approach as compared to other Track 1.5 mediation groups and leaders. Through the particular case study of Sant’Egidio’s present-day parallel peace dialogue in South Sudan, I ask whether Sant'Egidio's engagement in South Sudan is truly inclusive and what approaches could be applied to increase the Rome Initiative's inclusivity.