Repairing the damage of war and cementing peace is a huge challenge for countries and international organisations. So why are big players so bad at fixing the consequences of civil and national strife? Award-winning academic Séverine Autesserre has worked as a “peacebuilder” in Kosovo, Afghanistan and the DR Congo. She talks to Arthur Snell about her book The Frontlines of Peace, why the typical “trickle-down” approach to repairing war damage doesn’t work – and how lasting peace comes from thinking outside the box.

•  “Handshakes between presidents and abstract peace agreements make no difference on the ground.” 
• “I started reading my first book about the Balkans on my flight to Kosovo.” 
• “I was the outsider, so I was in charge.” 
• “I found pockets of peace in even the most violent places.” 
• “In post-conflict zones only 2.1% of aid goes to local organisations who know the area.” 

Presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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