The Courage to Sustain and Advocate Peace

Session Submission Type: Panel Discussion

Short Description

This panel brings together editors and authors of the newly published Peace, Reconciliation and Social Justice Leadership in the 21st Century. Panelists will explore the ways in which leaders and followers can bring forth pacifism, peace building, nonviolence, forgiveness and social cooperation. Lessons from post-conflict societies remind us that peace is a collective endeavor and provide a blueprint of how people-led, bottom-up, grassroots efforts can foster reconciliation and a more peaceful world. After brief presentations, there will be ample time for dialogue between panelists and the audience.

Detailed Abstract

The panel discussion will be composed of the editors and selected authors of a forthcoming ILA Building Leadership Bridges volume (published by Emerald Press), titled: Peace, Reconciliation and Social Justice Leadership in the 21st Century: The Role of Leaders and Followers. As C.S. Lewis reminds us: “courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality”” We see this panel in synergy with the main conference theme because it takes virtuous courage from both leaders and followers to sustain peace. The panel will provide a behind the pages look at the stories and theories from an interdisciplinary perspective of peacebuilders, scholars and community activists who have found courageous ways in fostering global dialogues around peace and reconciliation. We will explore such macro-level questions as: What role should followers and leaders take in building a lasting peace? How does reconciliation play a vital role in strategic peace rebuilding and restorative justice? Is there a praxis of leadership and peace studies theory that can inform the practices of social justice and community peacebuilding? After briefing discussing their contributions, there will be ample time to devoted to Q & A, dialogue, and audience participation.

Sub Unit

• Special Topics

Chair

• Aldo Boitano, Executive Development

Presenters

• Randal J. Thompson, Dream Connect Global

• Lorraine Stefani, University of Auckland

• Sarah Chace, Christopher Newport University

• Douglas Cremer, Woodbury University

• Lisa Liberatore Maracine, Pepperdine University

• H. Eric Schockman, Woodbury University