"Compassionate presence in peacebuilding requires that we cultivate the resilience to courageously face the outpouring of ego in the midst of conflict without replicating its anxious dynamics. That we nurture the listening heart to live alongside deep trauma without taking over responsibility for healing of others."
John Paul Lederach, widely known for his work on conflict transformation spoke on his latest work, which reflects on compassion. He explores the question: How do you accompany, alleviate suffering and create space for the creative emergence of the person again after tremendous loss?
Lederach, John Paul. “Dispatches from the Burning Ground: Compassionate Presence and Faith-Based Peacebuilding.” Lecture presented at the Conrad Grebel University College Convocation Celebration 2014, Waterloo, Ontario, April 21, 2014.
Recorded at and shared with the permission of Conrad Grebel University College.
Thoughts about the challenge of to all of us as leaders when we live in settings of social fragmentation and at the same time are committed to pursue justice and healing in our relationships.
A manuscript written for the Inter-racial and Cross-cultural Conflict Resolution Project at Conrad Grebel College's Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.