Warwick Lessons Take Root in Washington
Beverly Braxton spoke at PeaceCon ‘23, impressing with peacebuilding strategies.
In May, We the People Warwick’s (WTPW) founder and longtime Warwick resident, Beverly Braxton, was invited by Essential Partners (an organization with whom WTPW partners) to share the work of WTPW at the Alliance for Peacebuilding Conference in Washington, DC (PeaceCon ‘23).
Beverly was one of five speakers on the panel, Community Institutions as Cornerstones of U.S. Peacebuilding. She said, “It was an honor to have WTPW thought of as representing ‘cornerstone institutions ~ influential spaces where people gather and construct norms and shared values….and play a central role in shaping community life’ (D. Pritchard, EP).” The session brought together community leaders from Tennessee, New York, Illinois, and North Carolina to reflect on the peacebuilding gains they have made in their own communities. Members of the audience were made up of professionals focused on peace-building activities in the U.S. and around the globe, looking for insights from folks who are on the ground doing that work.
Braxton’s presentation at PeaceCon ‘23, entitled “Using the Power of Dialogue and Personal Storytelling to Strengthen Community,” emphasized that both dialogue and personal storytelling highlight our shared humanity and are stepping stones to building connection and bridging divides. Braxton spoke about WTPW’s beginnings, mission, and goals and offered insight into its innovative four-pronged approach: Dialogue Programs, Facilitator Training, Action Teams, and Community Programs that were created to address growing tensions that tend to erupt from time to time in Warwick, especially in response to national politics and social movements.
Two big take-aways expressed by participants during the Q&A period following Braxton’s presentation were:
The grassroots strategy of one on one conversations across divides between caring individuals is foundational to recognizing the shared value of every person’s need for understanding, connection, and belonging.
Creating a container of trust and acceptance where people can feel safe to be themselves requires skill and is key to constructive dialogue.
To learn more about the We the People Warwick organization, join Beverly Braxton for a “Sit and Chat” at the Albert Wisner Public Library on July 11th from 6:30-7:30pm or visit their website at wethepeoplewarwick.org
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