ABOUT US

Our Approach

First, we support and disseminate critical research on neuroscience, trauma and healing, and the development of new practices in reconciliation and peacebuilding, in collaboration with leading practitioners and academics.

Second, we support “insider-reconcilers”, accomplished practitioners facilitating social healing within their own communities. By incorporating cultural and religious practices insider-reconcilers are helping their communities to transition from cycles of violence to reconciliation and peace processes.

What do we do?

We support evidence-based academic research in order to identify and better understand best practice.
We support publication of research findings, incorporating the findings into our training, and offering this information through open-source media.
We work with insider-reconcilers to advance their work, and to develop training and peer support opportunities, particularly for those who design and lead peace and reconciliation processes.
We work closely with communities to imagine and implement social healing, and to learn from and share their lessons learned.

Healing of the Mountain

Healing of the Mountain-film features the work of Tecla Namachanja Wanjala and Shalom Center of Counseling and Development in creating healing circles at Mount Elgon, which has been one of the hotspots during election based violence in Kenya. During the 2022 elections the area remained mostly peaceful largely due to such trauma work done at local level.

Discovering the Journey Towards Healing

Journeying Towards Healing - the Story of Shirley Horn features a residential school survivor, whose love towards other students stolen from their families helped them later to come together and establish survivors movement in Canada. This process led later to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but painful journey to discover remains of lost children continue. Shirley’s message is, however, filled with hope: after facing the truth it is possible to reconcile and heal.

Insider Reconciler Policy Brief I Launch

The Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation launch in January 2024 two new policy briefs. This virtual event recording features the Policy Brief I: Support Insider Reconcilers in Brokering Peace and Initiating Healing-Centered Processes. Speakers include Liz Hume, Alliance for Peacebuilding; Antti Pentikainen, Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation & Think Peace; Rosarie Tucci, United States Agency for International Development; and Tecla Namachanja Wanjala, representing foundation named after her.

Insider-Reconcilers

Our work centers on empowering communities in their healing journey through the work of innovative and dedicated insider-reconcilers, working within their own contexts. These insider-reconcilers are: