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OUT OF WAR

Life Stories
in the Shadow of Organized Violence

About THE OOW ARCHIVE

The Out of War (OOW) archive houses life history interviews from around the world with formerly armed actors (FAAs)—individuals who have engaged in violence as members of licit or illicit organized groups, including military veterans, former insurgents, and ex-gang members. While recognizing the significant differences between these populations, OOW documents the common transitional dynamics they experience, such as psychosocial and socioeconomic adjustment, identity/purpose redefinition, and various interrelated aspects of human security.

The archive also captures how FAAs and conflict-affected communities rebuild social bonds, reestablish trust, and create new livelihoods and forms of belonging together. By promoting awareness and empathy across violence-induced divisions, OOW seeks to advance the scientific understanding of life trajectories under and beyond arms, inform community-based reintegration efforts, and other peacebuilding programming.

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To access the archive, you must create an account and agree to the terms and conditions of use. Our team will then review your request and you will get notified via email when we approve your account. Given the highly sensitive nature of the interviews and the deeply personal experiences they capture, these safeguards are in place to uphold the integrity of the data and protect the rights and identities of our interviewees.

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