moral imagination

The phrase 'the moral imagination' emerged in John Paul's writing and speaking following the events of September 11, 2001. In his reflections, he explores the moral imagination as the capacity to imagine something rooted in the challenges of the real world yet capable of giving birth to that which does not yet exist. In reference to peacebuilding, this includes the capacity to imagine and generate constructive responses and initiatives that, while rooted in the day-to-day challenges of violence, transcend and ultimately break the grips of those destructive patterns and cycles. The content in this section comprises reflection on and application of the moral imagination as a collection of individual and collective capacities that together can help guide the epic journey of the pursuit of peacebuilding.

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. 

The Poetic Unfolding of the Human Spirit

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

The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace

A book weaving thoughts and insights about the nature, challenges, and possibilities of constructive social change.

Pepperdine University Lecture The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace

A contribution to the W. David Baird Distinguished Lecture Series at Pepperdine University's Seaver College.

Spirituality and Religious Peacebuilding

A chapter exploring the meaning of quality of presence rising from spiritual resources that facilitate the practice of religious peacebuilding in protracted conflict.

The Arts and Peacebuilding: Using Imagination and Creativity

A chapter that explores three examples that illustrate the power of arts and creativity in building peace.

Keynote Speech by Prof. John Paul Lederach

A keynote delivered for IMPACT’s inaugural event in which John Paul shares lessons on sustainability, relationship, and hope as foundational to building peace.

Creative Beginnings: From the Moral Imagination Program

A collection of practices and facilitation ideas shared in the URI Moral Imagination Program. 

The Challenges of Peace and Conflict Situation in Thailand and Southeast Asia

A presentation shared for the Virtual U.S. Speaker Program on Peace and Conflict Issues hosted by the Institute of Peace Studies at Prince of Songkhla University.