nepal

John Paul’s involvement in peacebuilding in Nepal began with a phone call and unfolded through a foundation’s acceptance of his long-offered suggestion that peacebuilding and sustainable social change are only effectively imagined and possible in decades. John Paul accompanied the McConnell Foundation’s pledge to support peacebuilding in Nepal stretched from ten years, to twelve, and beyond. The primary locus of this work was supporting local Nepali communities focused on natural resource conflicts, rural women’s empowerment, and community mediation. He helped facilitate the work of Nepal Transition To Peace and their efforts to support national political dialogue and the implementation of the Nepali peace agreement. The insights he shares from his experience offer a unique glimpse into the dilemmas and lessons from sustained peacebuilding engagement across all scales of society.

The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War: Surprising ideas from everyday people who shifted the cycles of violence
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book
The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War: Surprising ideas from everyday people who shifted the cycles of violence

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. 

2024
Memoirs of Nepal: Reflections Across a Decade
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Memoirs of Nepal: Reflections Across a Decade

Reflections gathered from a decade and more of work in Nepal, written for The McConnell Foundation and friends and partners in Nepal.

2015
The Poetic Unfolding of the Human Spirit
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book
The Poetic Unfolding of the Human Spirit

A travelogue reflecting on what it means to be fully engaged in the world.

2011
Varela Symposium: Transforming Conflict – From Science to Real World Applications
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collection
Varela Symposium: Transforming Conflict – From Science to Real World Applications

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."

2018
Zen Brain: Mind, Brain, Social Perspectives of Views, Values, Ethics
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collection
Zen Brain: Mind, Brain, Social Perspectives of Views, Values, Ethics

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."

2017
Forging Inclusive Peace
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article
Forging Inclusive Peace

An article exploring challenges of inclusivity in peace processes and proposing a shift in metaphor to enhance inclusivity.

2019
Staying True in Nepal: Understanding Community Mediation Through Action Research
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chapter
Staying True in Nepal: Understanding Community Mediation Through Action Research

A chapter focusing on a community mediation initiative in Nepal that employed participatory action research as the mode for understanding practice and the development of relevant training materials for local use. 

2018
Reconciliation: In Theory & In Practice
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video recording
Reconciliation: In Theory & In Practice

A panel discussion hosted by ConnexUs discussing themes pertinent to reconciliation both generally and specifically in the contexts of South Africa, Colombia, and Nepal.

2023
Peace, Security and the Future of Conflict
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presentation
Peace, Security and the Future of Conflict

Article 3's celebration of Human Rights Day 2021, honoring Leymah Gbowee.

2021
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