Inclusive for Whom? Rethinking Inclusivity in Post-War Statebuilding

Everyone says peacebuilding should be ‘inclusive.’ But what does that actually mean? Who gets to decide? In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in post-conflict transitions.  From peace negotiations to transitional justice to post-war governance, they examine how inclusion can either build a foundation for lasting peace or reinforce elite control under a new name.  Can inclusion be meaningful rather than just symbolic? Does sequencing participation help or hurt? And what models have worked, or failed, in places like South Africa, Nepal, Sudan, and Lebanon? With a spotlight on Syria’s unfolding transition, this episode digs into the stakes, trade-offs, and power struggles that define who gets a voice when war ends but politics begin.  Tune in for a deep dive into inclusion beyond the buzzwords. Music credit: 🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺