In a world continuously scarred by conflict, peacemakers work tirelessly to end wars and prevent new ones from breaking out. Behind the scenes, mediators, diplomats, conflict resolution experts and civil society groups all seek to reach agreements that halt violence. This is no easy task: even when a handshake moment between main warring parties receives the spotlight, it’s only one part of a much longer process.

Peace talks are not just about how the parties should move forward, but also about how they should address the root causes of conflict. And while addressing issues like poverty, global inequalities and exploitation isn’t easy, it’s an essential part of any lasting agreement.

It’s also challenging to negotiate with people who have committed horrific crimes during the war. When I was a mediator in Sri Lanka, I had to do just that, as I negotiated with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, ed.) – a non-state armed group that committed genocidal warfare and used child soldiers.

In any protracted violent conflict, transgressions against justice are almost inevitable. And, as Jill Freeman’s article explains, it’s vital that peace agreements are structured to acknowledge these injustices and, in many cases, compensate those who were injured.