OVERVIEW This module seeks to underline the need to transform communities in conflict into peaceful communities. It highlights the importance of involving the whole community, with particular emphasis on bringing both the victim and the perpetrators to a state of sustained dialogue. The module thus explores what reconciliation and transitional justice (TJ) are and are not. It further discusses the need for a holistic approach. Africa’s experience of transitional justice, as well as transitional justice in international law, is explored. The module also expounds on the elements of a comprehensive transitional-justice policy. The African Union (AU) is rich with various instruments containing important norms and standards that are relevant to the application of transitional justice in Africa. Such instruments include the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, in addition to other relevant instruments as well as AU policy pronouncements and recommendations. The module also serves as a resource and as a guide to the national processes as provided for by the Constitution in view of the establishment of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), a body that is mandated to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation. The NPRC works to guarantee non-recurrence through developing mechanisms for the early detection of areas of potential conflicts and disputes and to take appropriate preventive measures (Ch. 12, part 6:252). AIM To promote reconciliation and transitional-justice processes that can be employed (judicially and non-judicially) by individuals and communities in post-conflict societies to ensure healing and sustainable peace. OBJECTIVES • To promote community healing through reconciliation and transitional justice • To enhance the capacity for reconciliation by applying transitional-justice mechanisms for both individual and community healing • To empower communities by promoting truth seeking, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence. OUTCOME A progressive community rooted in togetherness, cooperation, commitment to community development and respecting social relationships. METHODOLOGY The following are used during the course of this module: • Mini lectures; • Focus-group discussions; • Role plays; • Brainstorming; and • Plenary discussions. 94 Community Healing: A training manual for Zimbabwe