International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Review

This article entitled “New Dimensions of Forgiveness in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies” introduces interpersonal forgiveness, its individual target(s), therapeutic nature of past wounds, and effect of providing internal resolution to conflicted parties. It also explains the four forgiving stages (hurt, hate, healing, and coming together) and the importance of apology, change, truth- telling, and justice to forgiveness. The third and fourth forgiving stages highlight the distinctions between forgiveness and reconciliation. In addition, the role of forgiveness in conflict resolution and peace studies is pointed out along with discussion of the inability of the structural perspectives of conflict resolution to effectively deal with emotions and healing involved in interpersonal forgiveness. To fill this void, it requires interdisciplinary work of psychologists, therapists, and conflict resolution and peace professionals that has been neglected by prior researchers.