UNIFORM NOVEMBER

 

F.M.H..... PhD Politics and International Relations (On Going Concern at The University of Edinburgh), MLitt Peace & Conflict, MSc Architectural Conservation BA (Hons) Int. Architecture; MCSD, PgC TLHE

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The concept of "the everyday"     is an elusive yet fundamental area of study in peacebuilding and social theory. Its complexity lies in its ubiquity, making it simultaneously familiar and challenging to define. Scholars such as Lefebvre, de Certeau, and Perec have explored this "meta-field" that transcends conventional academic disciplines, serving as the common ground for human activities, social interactions, and political dynamics.

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Lefebvre characterizes the everyday as both universal and fragile, shaped by cycles of repetition and prone to commodification by capitalist forces. Perec emphasizes the need to examine the mundane aspects of life that often go unnoticed, suggesting that everyday occurrences only gain attention through disruptive events. De Certeau's work focuses on how individuals tactically adapt to societal structures, transforming imposed environments to meet their own needs.

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These perspectives are particularly relevant to peacebuilding, where the everyday can offer insight into social resilience, adaptation, and post-conflict memorialization. In cities like Mosul, Sarajevo, and Belfast, communities have developed grassroots forms of commemoration, challenging state narratives and asserting agency through everyday practices.

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By understanding the everyday as a fluid, adaptable, and resilient space, peacebuilding efforts can better address the complex dynamics of post-conflict societies, fostering sustainable relationships and acknowledging the profound impact of both violence and recovery on ordinary life.

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