Reconciliation: My Publications

Last Updated 12 November 2025.

I have numerous requests for my writing and publications on reconciliation. The publications below really deal with the conceptual and definitional issues on reconciliation.

So below I have compiled a list of published work to date:  

• Deng, F. M., & Hamber, B. (2022). Two Perspectives on Fanie du Toit’s When Political Transitions Work: Reconciliation as Interdependence. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 14(1), 366-375 [Download PDF | DOI]
• Hamber, B. and Kelly, G. (2018). Response on Reconciliation to the Consultation Paper: Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland's Past. INCORE, University of Ulster. Submitted online 5 October 2018 [Download]
• Hamber, B., & Kelly, G. (2018). Reconciliation: A Northern Ireland Case Study. In Kofi Annan Foundation and Interpeace (Eds), Challenging the Conventional: Can Post-Violence Reconciliation Succeed? (pp. 98-148). New York/Geneva: Kofi Annan Foundation & Interpeace [Download Chapter | Download Book]
• Hamber, B. & Kelly, G. (2018). The Reconciliation Paradox. Peace in Progress, 34. International Catalan Institute for Peace (ICIP): Barcelona [Substack | Medium | Blog | Download PDF]
• Hamber, B. (2014). Reconciliation. US Institute of Peace Insight Newsletter. (Fall 2014). USIP: Washington DC [Substack | Medium | Blog | Download PDF | Download Alternative PDF]
• Hamber, B., & Kelly, G. (2009). Too deep, too threatening: Understandings of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. In A. Chapman & H. van der Merwe (Eds.), Assessing the Impact of Transitional Justice: Challenges for Empirical Research. Washington: AAAS [Request Publication]
• Hamber, B., & Kelly, G. (2009). Beyond Coexistence: Towards a working definition of reconciliation. In J. Quinn (Ed.). Reconciliation(s) Transitional Justice in Postconflict Societies. Montreal: McGill University Press [Request Publication]
• Hamber, B. (2008). Forgiveness and Reconciliation: A Critical Reflection. In L. O'Hagan (Ed.), Stories in Conflict: Towards Understanding and Healing (pp. 139-155). Derry: Yes Publications [Request Publication]
• Hamber, B., & Kelly, G. (2008). The Challenge of Reconciliation: Translating Theory into Practice. In Community Relations Council (Ed.), A Sustainable Peace?: Research as a Contribution to Peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (pp. 3-26). Belfast: Community Relations Council [Request Publication]
• Hamber, B. (2007). Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Paradise Lost or Pragmatism?. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 13(1), 113-123 [Download]
• Hamber, B. & Kelly, G. (2007). Reconciliation: Time to grasp the nettle. Scope - Social Affairs Magazine, February. NICVA: Belfast, Northern Ireland [Substack | Medium | Blog | Download PDF]
• Hamber, B. (2006). Exporting reconciliation or reality TV. Polity and Engineering News, 17 March 2006 [Substack | Medium | Blog]
• Hamber, B., & Kelly, G. (2005). The Challenge of Reconciliation in Post-conflict Societies: Definitions, problems and proposals. In I. O'Flynn & D. Russell (Eds.), Power Sharing: New Challenges for Divided Societies (pp. 188-203). London: Pluto Press [Request Publication]
• Kelly, G. & Hamber, B. (Eds.) (2005). Reconciliation: Rhetoric or Relevance?. Report 17. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Democratic Dialogue [Download]
• Hamber, B. & Kelly, G. (2005). A Place for Reconciliation? Conflict and Locality in Northern Ireland. Report No. 18. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Democratic Dialogue [Download]
• Kelly, G. & Hamber, B. (2004). Coherent, contested or confused? Views on reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Paper presented at the Reconciliation: Rhetoric or Relevance? A roundtable discussion on concepts and practices of reconciliation, Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast, 9 June 2004 [Download]
• Hamber, B. (2004). Public Memorials and Reconciliation Processes in Northern Ireland. Paper presented at the Trauma and Transitional Justice in Divided Societies Conference, Airlie House, Warrington, Virginia, USA, 27-29 March 2004 [Download]
• Hamber, B. (2004). Submission to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Reconciliation: Ways of dealing with Northern Ireland's Past. Submission, December 2004. London: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. [Download]
• Hamber, B. & Kelly, G. (2004). A Working Definition of Reconciliation. SEUPB & Democratic Dialogue: Published with PEACE II Funding Guidelines [Download]
• Hamber, B. (2003). Transformation and Reconciliation. In J. Darby & R. MacGinty (eds), Contemporary Peacemaking: Conflict, violence and peace processes, Palgrave/MacMillan, Hampshire: UK [Request Publication]
• Hamber, B. (2002). Maximising our contributions to building peace and reconciliation. Paper presented at the Standing Community Convention, Armagh City Hotel, Northern Ireland, 16 December 2002 [Download]
• Hamber, B. & Maepa, T. (2000). Education for Reconciliation in South Africa. The Development Education Journal, Volume 6(2), pp. 15-17
• Hamber, B. & van der Merwe, H. (1998). Rainbow of Reconciliation. New People, No. 55, July-August, pp.19-22 [Download PDF]
• Hamber, B. and van der Merwe, H. (1998). What is this thing called Reconciliation?. Reconciliation in Review, Volume 1, Number 1, pp.3-6. Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation [Substack | Medium | Blog | Download PDF]
• Hamber, B.E. (1997). Truth: the Road to Reconciliation?. Cantilevers: Building Bridges for Peace, First Quarter, pp.5-6 [Substack | Medium | Blog]
• Hamber, B. (1996). Will Reconciliation Follow Disclosure?. New Nation, 3 May 1996 [Substack | Medium | Blog]

If you cannot access any of the above publications, please send me a request and I will email it to you.