The Spirituality of Building Peace

On the weekend of January 28th-29th, Dean Headley of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, along with Sr. Barbara Quinn from USD’s Center for Christian Spirituality, taught an intensive weekend workshop focused on the spirituality of peacebuilding. This concept is especially significant for those entering into conflict or post-conflict situations.

According to Dean Headley, an effective peacebuilder is able to draw from his/her spirituality in order to assist others who are victims of international conflict.  He states, “Many of our students will spend their careers trying to assist communities embroiled in international conflict and violent situations. These students won’t be able to draw on their normal sources of support [family, friends, religious leaders] because they will be miles away from home. This course is a chance for them to identify their inner core, so that they can not only survive these situations, but can actually flourish.”  

During the two-day course, students were asked to consider the way their personal and religious values may influence their responses to challenges. The course also emphasizes the concept of reconciliation, a central component to building peace, which is found in all world religions. At the end of the course, Headley and Quinn encouraged students to continue to turn to their own spiritual practices as a source of strength during their peacebuilding careers.