ABSTRACT
Peace studies and conflict resolution describe an inter-related set of theories and practices, stemming from political science, international relations, labor relations, communication studies, and sociology. Empowerment is often a necessary component of advocacy on behalf of sustainable peace. Empowerment helps create conditions where people can develop critical perspectives, gain control over their lives, and become co-equal participants in their relationships, communities, and networks. Listening projects generally use small teams from the community, trained in the reflective listening skills integral to constructive conflict management. The civil rights, peace, women’s, and environmental movements from the 1950s through the 1970s influenced spin-off movements. The bridge between peacebuilding and our principles starts with those critical peacebuilding scholars who show that failure to focus on either social justice or empowerment often leads to failures of the liberal peace. Empowerment and social justice are often articulated by questions of who should be included in the process and a stronger focus on the process itself.
