Recognizing Overarching Themes and Actors in Peacebuilding: A Longitudinal Analysis of Press Content in Latin America

Various approaches to implementing peacebuilding in practical contexts persist, notwithstanding academia and affiliated organizations' endeavors to broaden the conceptual grasp of this domain. These variations may be amplified by cultural nuances, temporal factors, and geographic distinctions. Consequently, this paper aims to address the following question: What overarching themes emerge when analyzing diverse scenarios related to peacebuilding? To explore this question, a comprehensive statistical topic modeling methodology was employed, focusing on news articles published in prominent newspapers across Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and Peru from 2010 to 2020. The findings reveal six pivotal areas for discourse within the peacebuilding narrative: (1) the importance of the peace processes in Colombia for the region; (2) the role of the Catholic Church in promoting peace building; (3) the interests on ongoing wars and conflicts around the world; (4) the focus on current or past domestic conflicts; (5) the role of the private sector in peace building; and (6) activities related to the Culture of Peace or peace education.