Chapter 7: The Nexus of Peace Building, Learning and Systems
Posted August 15, 2024 - Linh Bui
Romeo D’Allaire recently observed that “today, polarization, proxy wars, hybrid warfare that combines conventional tactics with online propaganda, geopolitical tensions, large-scale violations of human rights, and the erosion of representative government all make peacebuilding increasingly complex.”
Image description: The fireplace at a dinner party with the participants at the Summit
Systems-led approaches can help depolarize and illuminate interests, values, and mental models that lie beneath the surface. This session explores the nexus of peacebuilding, learning, and systems.
Panelists:
Paul Heidebrecht, Conrad Grebel University College / University of Waterloo
Cassie Bingham, UVU Center for Social Impact (CSI)
amanuel melles, Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC)
Alya Jinah, University of Calgary
Image description: From left to right, Alya Jinah, Cassie Bingham, Paul Heidebrecht and amanuel melles
Understanding the Framing of Peace
At the heart of any peacebuilding effort lies a fundamental question: Whose perspective shapes our understanding of peace? Paul Heidebrecht emphasizes the importance of recognizing the "frame" through which conflicts and their solutions are viewed. Every conflict, every system, is seen through a lens shaped by our assumptions, experiences, and biases. Paul reminds us, "You won’t approach peace if you don’t know what you’re trying to solve—and if you don’t acknowledge the assumptions you bring into that process."
This idea is crucial because peace means different things to different people. For some, it might mean the absence of violence, while for others, it involves justice, equity, and the ability to thrive. Effective peacebuilding requires holding the tension between these differing views and being comfortable with the discomfort that comes with it. Unlike what we commonly believe about peace, as pointed out by Paul, peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a complex, ongoing journey that requires us to deeply engage with the systems in which it operates.
Image description: The panelists and the participants interacted after the session
Recognizing Patterns and Feedback Loops
Democracy is often seen as a cornerstone of peace, yet it is also a system fraught with challenges, particularly when it comes to balancing power. Paul points out that “democracy attempts to instill in people the understanding that there’s a world beyond their immediate worldview.” However, the reality is that many political systems are dominated by conflicts of interest tied to power and wealth. Without the presence of systems thinkers, these conflicts can become entrenched, leading to cycles of inequality and unrest.
To build lasting peace within democratic systems—or any system—recognizing patterns and feedback loops is essential. These loops often perpetuate existing power structures, creating vicious cycles that are difficult to break. "Building peace and changing systems is a long game," Waterloo notes, "so recognizing the pattern and flow is important." By understanding these patterns, we can identify where interventions are needed to disrupt these cycles and create more equitable outcomes.
The Role of Relational Care in Systems Thinking
Peacebuilding is not just about understanding systems; it’s also about nurturing the relationships within those systems. amanuel melles emphasizes that “relational care must come before relational systems thinking.” In other words, before we can effectively engage with systems, we must first cultivate trust and empathy among the people involved. melles highlights that "social change happens at the speed of trust, and trust happens at the speed of practice."
"Social change happens at the speed of trust, and trust happens at the speed of practice"
This perspective reinforces the idea that solutions to systemic issues must be collaborative and owned by those closest to the problem. It’s not enough to direct change from the outside; we must work to catalyze it from within, by building relationships and fostering trust among all stakeholders.
Moving Beyond the Surface: From Events to Mental Models
Cassie Bingham introduces a critical concept in systems learning: the need to move beyond the surface level of events and dive into the underlying patterns and mental models that shape them. Too often, discussions about peace and conflict remain stuck at the level of individual events, which Bingham argues is "highly unproductive" because it keeps us "going around in circles."
By encouraging people to look deeper, at the patterns that give rise to these events, Bingham believes we can have more meaningful conversations. "Even if you can get students just to the next step down, to pattern identification," she says, "it starts to build empathy and awareness of other perspectives." Once we recognize that outcomes are not isolated incidents but the result of structural realities, it becomes much harder to turn away from the lived experiences of others.
The Adaptive Journey of Peace: Listening, Learning, and Inclusion
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a complex, ongoing journey that requires us to deeply engage with the systems in which it operates.” - Paul Heidebrecht
Alya’s reflections remind us that peace is not a fixed destination but an adaptive, ongoing journey. "Peace is different for those who need solutions," she notes, emphasizing the importance of listening with an open heart and reflecting on our mindsets. This approach is easier said than done, but it is essential for creating a more inclusive peace. Alya stresses the need to recognize who is missing from the conversation and to actively bring them in, ensuring that all voices are heard.
This process involves not just listening but also learning how to decode the different "languages" we use—both literally and figuratively. Understanding these different ways of communicating and thinking is key to bridging divides and fostering collaboration across diverse groups.
Image description: amanuel melles and a participant interacted after the session
Catalyzing Change from Within
The journey toward peace is a collective effort that requires systems thinking, relational care, and a commitment to learning. Solutions to achieve are collaborative and need to be owned by those who have close proximity or the issue. As Paul suggests, "It’s not about using change or directing it but catalyzing it—creating the conditions under which peace can emerge organically from within the system." Only through understanding the frames that shape our perspectives, recognizing patterns and feedback loops, and prioritizing relational care, can we begin to build the foundations for a more peaceful and just world.
Next up Chapter 8: From the Classroom to the World: Emerging Changemakers
Listen to the experiences of Students as Changemakers engaging in bridging community, research, and systems-led leadership
Previous Chapter 6: Systems Thinking in Education, Health, Philanthropy and Innovation(coming soon)