By Camille Dickerson-Lemieux, Compassionate Listening Facilitator
In honor of the International Day of Peace, we reflect on a powerful yet often overlooked tool for peacebuilding: listening. Throughout history, listening has been a vital means of reconciliation, helping divided communities move toward healing and understanding.
One of the most profound examples of this is the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Following the end of apartheid, the TRC offered a platform for victims and perpetrators to share their stories. Central to the process was the act of listening—giving space for those harmed to have their voices heard and acknowledged. This process fostered healing not by erasing the past but by recognizing it, allowing deep wounds to begin mending. Through listening, the commission laid the foundation for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Similarly, initiatives like the Tears of Reconciliation project highlight the power of listening in peace processes. This project, which brings together people from opposing sides of conflict, has shown that when individuals share their pain and experiences, it can lead to emotional breakthroughs and create the conditions for transformation. Vulnerability in these moments—whether tears or words—often unlocks the potential for individuals to take responsibility for their part in the conflict and pave the way for reconciliation.
As the philosopher Johan Galtung said, "When goals are incompatible, and actors are locked in conflict, violence emerges as a mechanism to force a resolution. But violence narrows the options for a solution, as the actors become focused on winning rather than resolving the underlying issues." This is why listening is so important. Before conflict escalates and we become locked into a narrow focus on winning, listening allows us to access each other as human beings, to understand the deeper issues driving the conflict. When we listen, we create space for solutions that go beyond just “winning” and move toward healing and resolution.
In his book Unchopping a Tree, Ernesto Verdeja describes key norms necessary for rebuilding societies after conflict: mutual respect, agreement about the truth of what happened, holding perpetrators accountable, recognizing victims, and upholding the rule of law. Each of these steps requires skillful listening. Mutual respect cannot flourish without the ability to truly hear and honor each other’s perspectives. Agreement about truth begins with listening to all sides of the story. Accountability, victim recognition, and the rule of law all demand that we listen with care, understanding, and empathy.
In fact, as Daniel Philpott points out, one of the deepest wounds of political injustice is the lack of acknowledgment of victims' suffering. Without this acknowledgment, healing cannot begin. Listening to victims not only restores their dignity but also helps address this core wound by recognizing their humanity and their experience of injustice.
At the heart of listening is the practice of maieutics, a form of dialogue that draws out knowledge by asking insightful questions. Derived from the Greek word for midwifery, maieutics is a method of helping people give birth to their own understanding through conversation. In peacebuilding, this practice allows for deep reflection and the discovery of shared truths, facilitating reconciliation on a profound level. By asking the right questions, we help others explore their own experiences and viewpoints, creating the conditions for mutual understanding.
As Martin Buber beautifully expressed, "The world is not comprehensible, but it is embraceable through the embracing of one of its beings." Listening is, in many ways, this act of embrace. When we listen, we embrace the complexity of another person’s experience, their pain, their joy, and their humanity. In doing so, we build bridges of understanding, expand our capacity for compassion, and take the first steps toward peace.
History offers ample evidence of how listening can lay the groundwork for peace. Whether in Northern Ireland, where dialogues between opposing sides helped end decades of conflict, or in Rwanda, where communities have worked to rebuild after genocide, listening has been a critical first step in the long journey toward healing. The simple act of listening is an invitation to meet in our shared humanity, and once we see each other as human, we are far less likely to inflict harm.
As we celebrate the International Day of Peace, let us remember that peace begins with understanding—and understanding begins with listening.
If you're inspired by the power of listening and want to explore how it can create a more peaceful world, we invite you to continue learning with us at The Compassionate Listening Project. Join us as we deepen our practice of listening and work together to create a world where peace and understanding prevail.
Camille Dickerson-Lemieux is the Compassionate Listening Project's very own Co-Director! She completed her MA in Reconciliation (University of Winchester, 2022) and has sought transformative journeys spanning zen monasteries to jungle eco 'towns,' which fostered a deep understanding of the impact of conflict. As a dedicated non-profit team member, Camille collaborates with Compassionate Listening Facilitators to amplify their noble mission. With a steadfast belief in the significance of every voice, even amid communication hurdles, she channels her passion into both her nonprofit work and her artful Youtube creations. Outside the realm of her work, Camille loves spending time with her husband and her two cats.
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