A Critical Peacebuilding Guide for Educators and Leaders

Abstract

In this article we elaborate on an existing critical peacebuilding approach to provide educators, leaders, and practitioners with a practical guide for examining and changing socio-cultural practices, institutional policies, and/or structural realities that promote violence. We begin with an overview of what peace education is and then describe a critical peacebuilding approach that can be used in different contexts such as schools, universities, communities, and businesses. We explain the five stages of our approach, which are fluid and adaptive, with guiding questions that: help identify structures and systems of violence; envision peaceful alternatives; foster empowerment; encourage action; and invite individuals and groups to reflect and reengage in change processes.  Finally, we provide concrete examples of the critical peacebuilding approach and offer reflections on the future.