accompaniment

Starting with experiences in Central America in the 1980s, John Paul began to work closely with the thought and strategies of Latin American authors like Paolo Freire, Gustavo Gutierrez, and Orlando Fals Borda. These approaches articulated the basis of participatory action research and accompaniment of people often on the front lines of facing direct and structural violence. Accompaniment articulates the approach of leading from alongside the experiences, insights, and innovations of people with deep experience in their own context. These ideas became second nature in many of the books and writing over the years from Preparing for Peace to the engagements in Nepal 35 years later.

Journey from Resolution to Transformative Peacebuilding

A chapter reflecting on three specific experiences that marked important evolutions in John Paul's thinking and practice.

For Our Healing

A preface discussing the challenges of healing in the aftermath of violence and the need for authenticity of approach that respects each individual while recognizing several important guideposts common to all.

Accompaniment: Walking Alongside an Organizational Journey

John Paul shares reflections about accompaniment embedded in a story from his experience from the 1980s being alongside negotiations to end the war in Nicaragua.

Grateful Living in Conversation

A conversation between John Paul and Joe Primo in contribution to the course, “Grateful Hope: Passion for the Possible.”

Hope and Liberation

John Paul shares a story and reflections from his experience accompanying a conflict transformation movement in Nepal with Duke Divinity School's Summer Institute for Reconciliation.

Making a Difference: Putting Peacebuilding in Context

An exploration of generative questions for philanthropy and peacebuilding shared at the Social Change Initiative’s 2024 conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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.

Peace & Jesus, Episode 23

A contribution to Peaceworks' series entitled “Peace & Jesus” in which John Paul shares about recent experiences alongside women and politicians working toward peace in Nepal.