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.