Creating a Space for Peace



Looking back, it was one of the most energizing and renewing courses that I’ve taught so far. The combination of my co-facilitator, the participants, and the content was great, but more than that was the space that we created together.

Theory and Practice of Peace Education took place in the second session of the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute, after we had already gotten to know each other a bit, had gone on a few field trips together, and had already share many laughs and tears. Still, it was something magical that happened during that week. I feel like there was such a common passion and energy for doing what we can do for peace as we said our good-byes. So encouraging!
 
This is what peacebuilding is about, I think. Sure, there are the grand pictures that we like to envision and that we keep in mind as we’re working in our little corners, but really it’s about what happens in those corners that makes a difference.
 
As followers of Jesus, we can know that we are empowered to create positive change in our little networks of family, friends, co-workers, students, and the others we meet in our daily schedules with the justice, mercy, and humility.