Peace Builders in Action

When we think of the great peace builders of our time, we usually think of people like Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela. These extraordinary individuals came along at critical junctures in history and circumstance. They were vaulted into positions of leadership and followed by masses of people. Their tremendous courage and vision has been an inspiration to us all.

At Search for Common Ground, we know from 20 years of experience that individuals of that stature don't just come along every few decades - they're coming forward every single day. They are the unknown, unacknowledged peace builders of our world.

Many of these people have personally experienced trauma, and have gone through a process of healing and reconciliation. They're clear on the importance of forgiveness and working for peace. They've had to give up any desire for reprisal, and have become advocates for an inclusive, collaborative process. They've put a tremendous amount of faith in that process - trusting that the end result will not just be what is best for them, but will be the optimal outcome for every group involved.

They are beacons of light in their communities - creative, courageous people of immense heart, wisdom and character who are frequently struggling alone. These individuals often seek us out, and become our partners and staff members. Part of what we do is to literally provide them with a safe environment in which to work. We provide a support, tools and resources, and help link them up with other like-minded people so that their impact is magnified. Working together, they create centers of hope in their societies - they are role models of forgiveness and reconciliation. They personify what it means to find common ground.

For personal stories about some of these individuals, click on the headings listed below.