Stott Fellows Reflection

Dr. Brian Howell

I’ve been to a lot of conferences in my life. In many ways, our Peacebuilding in Palestine summit followed a familiar ritual: opening talks, panels of speakers, small-group discussions. But this event wove together new elements for this White male academic. I have often been in diverse gatherings, but rarely ones that so clearly centered voices from the Global South. European and North American influences were firmly, but gently and gracefully, set aside in favor of our Global South colleagues. In the familiar structure of the academic conference, it took me a minute to realize how unusual such a space was. But it opened new ways of connecting for me, and for others. Over the course of the event, I learned not only about the specific challenges faced by Palestinians but also about the broader context of conflict, resilience, and reconciliation that spans across different regions and cultures. I came to see how inspiration, if not solutions, could come through new discourses, metaphors, and images that I had not considered.

As a North American academic, I often find myself immersed in Western-centric frameworks that, while valuable, can sometimes overshadow the diverse approaches and wisdom emerging from other parts of the world. I recall sitting at my table between speakers, listening to a senior Palestinian leader share from his heart about the experience of investing in peace only to see it repeatedly shattered. I could hear the emotion in his voice but took encouragement from his long faithfulness in the direction of peace. The insights of these persistent leaders challenged me to think beyond conventional paradigms and consider more inclusive and intersectional approaches to peace.

The theological and cultural diversity present at the conference created a uniquely fertile space for deep reflection and creative thinking. It was inspiring as people from vastly different backgrounds came together, not solely to share ideas but to forge new understandings of what peace can be. Indigenous spirituality, tradition, and cultural identity were celebrated as vital components of peacebuilding. Topics from cooking, to clothing, to song and dance were brought to the table, not as mere ornaments, but as tools to think deeply about what a future of peace could mean. This environment fostered a sense of possibility—an acknowledgment that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a complex, multilayered state rooted in cultural and spiritual affirmation.

As an anthropologist, I tell my students regularly how culturally diverse space create greater possibility and insight. This diverse gathering allowed me to see again the profound advantages of intercultural dialogue that ranges far from Western assumptions. I was

renewed in my conviction that solutions devised in one context are not universally applicable; effective peacebuilding must honor the histories, beliefs, and practices of each community.

Ultimately, the summit was not only an academic experience. It underscored the importance of listening with humility, respecting diverse worldviews, and valuing the knowledge embedded in diverse cultural and spiritual traditions. As a participant from the North, it was a privilege to stand alongside colleagues from the global south and indigenous communities—voices often marginalized in global discourses. Their stories and approaches broadened my understanding and reaffirmed the importance of inclusivity, dialogue, and mutual respect in the quest for peace.

Dr. Brian Howell

Anthropology, Sociology, and Urban Studies

Reflection written as part of Stott Fellows 2025