asia and central asia
Starting with a trip to the Philippines in 1989, John Paul has spent extensive time supporting initiatives and learning in the Pacific Basin countries across to Central Asia and India. The most significant of those countries have been with colleagues in the Philippines, Myanmar, Nepal, and Tajikistan. Particularly in the Philippines and Nepal, the notion of decades long commitments emerged with educational and philanthropic foundations to support peacebuilding during and in the aftermath of civil wars.
A collection of stories, reflections, and wisdom offering insight into the challenge of facing down toxic polarization layered with violence and the surprising ways everyday people found to shift harmful patterns of violence that had lasted decades.
![Muqaddimainizoshinosi [Introduction to Conflict Studies]](https://www.johnpaullederach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Muqaddimainizoshinosi_cover-1024x576.jpg)
A Tajiki-language textbook, one of the first peace and conflict studies educational materials crafted in the Tajiki language.
A teacher’s guide for the Tajiki-language textbook developed with and for Tajiki scholars and students of peace.
Reflections gathered from a decade and more of work in Nepal, written for The McConnell Foundation and friends and partners in Nepal.
A travelogue reflecting on what it means to be fully engaged in the world.
A book weaving thoughts and insights about the nature, challenges, and possibilities of constructive social change.
An exploration into the spiritual foundations that undergird John Paul's work as a practitioner and scholar of peacebuilding.
John Paul's contributions to the Upaya Zen Center's Varela Symposium 2018, which explored the theme, "Transforming Conflict: From Science to Real World Applications."
John Paul's contributions to the Upaya Zen Center's Zen Brain conference in 2017, which explored the theme, "Mind, Brain, Social Perspectives of Views, Values, Ethics."