War Destroys: Peace Nurtures presents selected papers form the 8th Somali Studies International Association congress held in Hargeisa in July 2001. This volume focuses on finding tools, solutions, and policies that speak to the need for building peace, establishing equitable and stable governance, and achieving reconciliation. The papers are of value not only to Somalis throughout the Horn of Africa but also to other African states that have suffered horrific disasters over the last few decades including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola, Zaire/DRC, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, and others.

Contributors describe the role of women’s groups in reconciliation, peace-building, and economic development; potential linkages between traditional and modern governance models; alternative modes of decentralization; the role of language, poetry, and proverbs in cultural reconciliation; techniques of community participation for building peace at the community level; overcoming health concerns, especially HIV/AIDS and FGM; the role of local institutions in sustaining environmental resources; and ways in which Islam is compatible with democracy and can be an effective tool for building peace. The book opens with a section on the poetry of peace and reconciliation, written in Somali.

ABOUT THE EDITORS
EDNA ADAN ISMAIL is president of the Somali Studies International Association, Somaililand Minister of Family and Social Affairs, and Founder/Director of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa. She is a nurse, midwife, and advocate for health services for all Somalis, and was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding humanitarian service by Clark University in the United States.

RICHARD FORD is research professor in the Department of International Development, Community, and Environment at Clark University. He has worked in Somalia/Somaliland since 1980 and is author/editor of many books, articles, and field guides on community-based development in Africa.

HUSSEIN M. ADAM is associate professor of political science at Holy Cross College. He is the founder and past president of the Somali Studies International Association and has been one of the most active forces in Somali academic and intellectual circles in Europe, Africa, and North America

CATEGORY
Politics, Current Affairs/AFRICA