What does it take to build a more peaceful world? It begins with how we relate to ourselves and others—but it does not end there.
Peace is often understood as the absence of conflict or violence. But what if building a more peaceful world also requires us to examine how we communicate, respond to others, and address the conditions that allow violence to persist?
In her research, Prof. Belinda F. Espiritu, PhD of the Communication Program explores the connections among nonviolence, peace, and nonviolent communication. Drawing on existing research and scholarly discussions, her study examines peace across three interconnected dimensions: inner peace, or our relationship with ourselves; interpersonal peace, or how we relate to others; and outer peace, encompassing sociopolitical relations and our relationship with nature and the environment.
The study identifies compassion, empathy, and the recognition of our own and others’ feelings and needs as important themes in nonviolent communication. It also emphasizes that nonviolence extends beyond how individuals interact: it can involve challenging oppressive social structures and contributing to peacebuilding processes. These dimensions of peace are interconnected, meaning that how we understand ourselves, treat others, and engage with society and the environment cannot be considered entirely separate.
The key insight: Peace is not only a personal or interpersonal concern; it is also a social and collective undertaking. Practicing empathetic communication can be a meaningful starting point, but building a more peaceful world also calls for attention to the broader structures and conditions that shape people’s lives.
By bringing nonviolence and nonviolent communication together in a holistic framework, Espiritu’s work offers a perspective for teaching, research, and community engagement—and an invitation to reflect on how communication can contribute to peace at different levels of life.
About the research
Faculty researcher: Dr. Belinda F. Espiritu, University of the Philippines Cebu
Title: Nonviolence, Peace, and Nonviolent Communication: Towards a Holistic Framework for a Nonviolent World
Type of output: Research article
Publication: Future Human Image, Volume 20 (2023), pp. 18–34
Beyond the Absence of Violence: How Communication Can Build Peace
