Can international organizations have a decisive, substantial and enduring impact upon the domestic transition of a society emerging from conflict? How successful has UN assistance been in terms of consolidating peace and development in transitional societies? To what extent is the UN "staying the course" from transition to consolidation, by going beyond peacekeeping to political reconstruction and indigenous capacity-building? This volume highlights some of the major conceptual and practical challenges facing post-conflict societies and the international community in managing transition. International specialists consider the political, economic, legal and moral aspects of rendering international assistance that is successful in (re)building the foundations for sustainable peace. This can only be achieved through legitimate institutions and social relations that will prevent the recurrence of violence and war. Pressing issues of post-conflict situations are explored, including the preventive component of post-conflict peacebuilding, the challenges of transitional justice, the role of collective action for the advancement of human security, and the evolving nature and responsiblity of UN peace operations in post-conflict environments.