Peacemaking Circles: A Process For Solving Problems and Building Community

Peacemaking Circles
A process for solving problems and building community

The peacemaking circle is a process that brings together individuals who wish to engage in
conflict resolution, healing, support, decision making or other activities in which honest
communications, relationship development, and community building are core desired outcomes.
"Circles" offer an alternative to contemporary meeting processes that often rely on hierarchy,
win-lose positioning, and victim/rescuer approaches to relationships and problem solving.
Derived from aboriginal and native traditions, circles bring
people together in a way that creates trust, respect, intimacy, Outside Boston, a
good will, belonging, generosity, mutuality and reciprocity. grassroots organization,
The process is never about "changing others", but rather is an Roca, Inc., uses circles
invitation to change oneself and one’s relationship with the to give teenagers,
community. homeless youth, and
Circles intentionally create a sacred space that lifts barriers gang members a
between people, opening fresh possibilities for connection, healthy way of dealing
collaboration and mutual understanding. The process works with conflict.
because it brings people together in a way that allows them to
see one another as human beings and to talk about what matters.
Circles can be understood in terms of the values and principles upon which they operate, and the
structures they use to support these values and principles.
Values and Principles - Though each circle develops its own values and principles, all
peacemaking circles generally:
 are designed by those who use them

 are guided by a shared vision
 call participants to act on their personal values
 include all interests, and are accessible to all
 offer everyone an equal, and voluntary, opportunity to participate
 take a holistic approach, including the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual
 maintain respect for all
 encourage exploring instead of conquering differences
 invite accountability to others and to the process
Structure - Circles provide effective support to groups seeking to stay on course with the values
and principles they have established for their circle.
The circle process is "simple but not easy," and must be experienced to be fully grasped and
replicated. There is an intangible quality to circles that must be experienced to be understood.
However, there are some key structures that help to define the circle.
 The meeting space is the most visible structure. Participants are seated in a circle focusing on
the center where symbolic objects may be placed to remind participants of values shared
among those in the circle.
 A talking piece is used as a way to ensure respect between speakers and listeners. The
talking piece is passed from person to person within the circle and only the person holding
the piece may speak.
 Two "keepers" of the circle have been identified. The
keepers guide the participants and keep the circle as a safe In a Canadian adult male
space. While it is possible to have only one keeper, prison unit, circles in-
generally a team of two is preferable. clude staff and inmates,
 Ceremony and ritual are used to create safety and form. and serve as a foundation
 Consensus decision making honors the values and for a relationship
principles of peacemaking circles and helps participants oriented community.
to stay grounded in them.
Benefits of Circles - Circles strengthen relationships and build community. They do so

through the process they use to deal with specific issues around which a peacemaking circle
might be called. As they experience circles, participants begin to develop the physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual habits of peacemaking. The circle process helps to shift old patterns in
how individuals and communities interact, a shift that over time becomes reflected in interactions
outside the circle. Circles:
 build relationships  facilitate innovative problem-solving

 foster open dialogue  address the deeper causes of conflict
 encourage values-based action  empower participants and communities
 provide a space to acknowledge  break through isolation
responsibility  bring healing and transformation
When to Use Peacemaking Circles - There are different reasons for bringing people together,
and so circles are used for different purposes. Circles may be called for conflict, talking, healing,
brainstorming and management, court-related issues, art, support, and family issues. Circles are
appropriate in business, family, judicial, social service, artistic and other settings.
Circles are effective in any group settings in which there is a desire for:
 Healing rather than coercion

Circles are appropriate in
 Individual and collective accountability rather than only
business, family,
individual accountability
judicial, social service,
 Democratic, egalitarian and spiritual values
artistic and other
 Focusing on the commonalities, instead of the differences,
settings. . .
between people
 Building community
 Individual and collective change and transformation
"I felt finally like we were a part of something,

that we were finally 'together'
on something that was so powerful
. . . and it felt like community."
Sources: Carolyn Boyes-Watson, Suffolk College; Jon Prichard, University of Maine; Pranis, K., Barry
Stuart and Mark Wedge, 2003, Peacemaking Circles, From Crime to Community, Living Justice Press.

Peacemaking Circles: A Process For Solving Problems and Building Community

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Peacemaking Circles

A process for solving problems and building community

 are designed by those who use them

Benefits of Circles - Circles strengthen relationships and build community. They do so

 build relationships  facilitate innovative problem-solving

 Healing rather than coercion

"I felt finally like we were a part of something,

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