north america

Alongside John Paul's extensive international experience, he has been involved in numerous peacebuilding and mediation initiatives in his home context of North America. He served as director of the Mennonite Conciliation Service, and in that capacity contributed as a mediator and consultant with a range of organizations including nonprofits, religious organizations, and universities. In a training and education capacity, John Paul has designed and led trainings, courses, and programs on peacebuilding and conflict transformation for institutions across the region. The content in this section includes a range of resources, including books, interviews, blog posts, and more, in which John Paul offers insights regarding peacebuilding within the North American context and between the United States and the global community.

The Paradox of Popular Justice: A Practitioner’s View
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chapter
The Paradox of Popular Justice: A Practitioner’s View

A reflection highlighting the authors' tensions around the concepts of popular, justice, community, and empowerment and an inside view and assessment of the success and potential of the movement toward popular justice.

1993
Let’s Talk About Culture: Reconcile Chapter 9 Finale
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video recording
Let’s Talk About Culture: Reconcile Chapter 9 Finale

The final session of a book study of Reconcile, hosted through Let's Talk About Culture, in which John Paul features as a guest.

2020
John Paul Lederach speaks at the Beyond Us and Them Panel Discussion
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presentation
John Paul Lederach speaks at the Beyond Us and Them Panel Discussion

A short video clip of John Paul describing the notion of critical yeast.

2019
Teacher Spider and the Golden Thread
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presentation
Teacher Spider and the Golden Thread

A dharma talk shared with the Upaya Zen Center community in March 2020 for the Socially Engaged Buddhist Training.

2021
A Pathway to Peace: Ideas for Advancing Climate-Resilient Futures
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video recording
A Pathway to Peace: Ideas for Advancing Climate-Resilient Futures

The second episode in "The Day After Tomorrow: A Virtual Talk Story Series," hosted by the Institute for Climate and Peace.

2020
Art and Peacebuilding: Dwelling at the Hearth
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presentation
Art and Peacebuilding: Dwelling at the Hearth

A keynote delivered at the virtual Art in the Place of Conflict conference, organized by the Derry Playhouse in Northern Ireland.

2020
How Weird Friends Change the World
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presentation
How Weird Friends Change the World

A dharma talk shared at the Upaya Zen Center discussing creating friendships across ideological divides and differences.

2018
The Great Conversation
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presentation
The Great Conversation

An address at Hesston College's 2016 Homecoming Forum sharing three key important practices in approaching conversation across difference.

2016
Hesston Presidential Inaugural Address
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presentation
Hesston Presidential Inaugural Address

An address provided for the inauguration of Dr. Howard Keim as President of Hesston College in 2005.

2005
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