Conclusion lines, and obtain the skills needed to deal with conflict in a peaceful manner. In highly polarized contexts it is essential to create the space for dialogue in which people feel safe to voice their concerns and explore possibilities for joint problem-solving. Including women and youth early on in such processes will enhance their success by building sustainable frameworks to overcome misperceptions. Different narratives of the past and diverging perceptions of history should be addressed in a responsible manner, including in the field of education, thereby allowing concerned communities to feel that their grievances are noticed and their voices are heard. The facilitation of reconciliation processes that allow for different narratives of the past to be addressed is a crucial aspect of sustainable peacebuilding in post-conflict settings. Transitional justice should be based on transparency and accountability, and contribute to building cohesive societies in which diverging narratives of the past do not stand in the way of joint narratives about the future. International actors can support such processes by raising awareness about the need for dialogue and tolerance, and by assisting local efforts to (re-) establish relations across the divides. The building of sustainable peace and democracy requires the active participation of local stakeholders at different levels, including political leaders, civil society organizations, and members of religious and ethnic communities. Local ownership is thus a key 106