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How Violence Shapes Society

Our correspondents investigate societies shaped by violence. From 'brutalised' Sri Lanka, to the young man finding love in war-torn Syria - with the daughter of an enemy.

Tony Grant introduces reports from around the world, as our correspondents investigate how violence shapes society. In New York Laura Trevelyan is shocked when her seven-year-old comes home from a safety drill at school - in case of a gun attack. In Sri Lanka, following the death of fellow journalist Mel Gunasekera, Charles Haviland describes a society accustomed to frequent violence - indeed, he says it has become 'brutalised.' And David Eades returns to Northern Ireland to see how far down the road to reconciliation people have come in the 16 years since the Good Friday Agreement. Plus, in Damascus, Abigail Fielding Smith meets a real-life Romeo. She talks to a young rebel fighter managing to find love despite the violence - with the daughter of a member of the government's forces.

(Photo: A man throws a piece of furniture during a clash between loyalist protesters and riot police in North Belfast, Northern Ireland. Credit: Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images)

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25 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Feb 2014 09:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 Feb 2014 12:06GMT
  • Sun 16 Feb 2014 01:06GMT
  • Sun 16 Feb 2014 09:06GMT