If Peace Works, Why Isn't Everyone Talking About It? Why Peacebuilders Need To Amp Their Communication Skills with Dr. Scilla Elworthy

In this episode of Peace is Power, Janessa Gans Wilder speaks with Dr. Scilla Elworthy about what it really takes to build peace in a world that continues to invest heavily in war.

A three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and founder of both Oxford Research Group and Peace Direct, Dr. Elworthy reflects on decades of work alongside peacebuilders, military leaders, and women confronting violence on the front lines. Their conversation explores why war remains so heavily funded while peacebuilding is chronically under-resourced, and why Dr. Elworthy believes women’s leadership, communication, and courageous listening are essential to changing that. 

Throughout the episode, Dr. Elworthy returns to one central idea: the heart is not separate from effective action, but a source of wisdom, courage, and clarity. 

Together, she and Janessa consider how people can stay open in the face of grief, resist despair, and cultivate the inner fire needed to act for peace in this moment.

Key Takeaways:

Peace is underfunded, not ineffective

Dr. Elworthy argues that peacebuilding is often dismissed not because it fails, but because it is poorly funded, poorly publicized, and overshadowed by the political and economic incentives of war.

Women have repeatedly helped stop violent conflict

The episode highlights how women, often working with minimal resources, have led some of the most effective peace efforts in conflict zones, including the women’s movement that helped end Liberia’s civil war.

Communication and listening are forms of power

For Dr. Elworthy, peacebuilding is rooted in communication: deep listening, moral courage, persistence, and the ability to engage even those in positions of military or political power.

The heart is a practical guide, not a sentimental idea

Dr. Elworthy describes the heart as a reliable source of truth and discernment, especially in difficult moments when strategy alone is not enough.

Peacebuilding can be taught and practiced

Dr. Scilla Elworthy makes the case for a more accessible, story-driven approach to peace education, one that helps people begin where they are, build courage, and learn to act in their own communities.

Timestamps:

(05:00) Heartbreak, hope, and learning from peacebuilders- Dr. Elworthy reflects on a lifetime of witnessing war and explains why she is not despairing now despite the state of the world.

(06:01) Why is war funded while peace is neglected? If people say they want peace, why do governments and institutions keep investing in war?

(10:54) The communications problem of peace- Dr. Elworthy argues that peacebuilding successes are not visible enough, and that the world needs a far stronger public narrative around what peacebuilders actually accomplish.

(12:30) Liberia and the power of organized women- Dr. Elworthy recounts how Liberian women used collective nonviolent action, public pressure, and persistence to help end a 14-year civil war.

(17:12) The overlooked skills of peacebuilding- The qualities peacebuilders need most, including listening, resilience, courage, self-belief, and the ability to work across differences.

(19:14) Why conversations with military leaders matter- Dr. Elworthy and Janessa discuss the importance of engaging military figures directly, and why those conversations can open unexpected space for change.

(24:18) Training people to speak for peace- Dr. Elworthy outlines the need for a larger cohort of people trained in advocacy, resilience, persuasion, and courageous communication.

(26:18) Listening to the heart as a peace practice- Dr. Elworthy shares her contemplative practice of moving attention from the mind to the heart and listening for guidance.

(30:50) Can anyone become a peacebuilder?- Describing peacebuilding as something available to anyone willing to nurture the “quiet fire” within them.

(37:04) Where to begin in peacebuilding- Practical encouragement for newcomers: read widely, get inspired by stories of peace, connect with others, and take one step at a time.

Guest bio:

Dr. Scilla Elworthy is a three times Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work with Oxford Research Group to develop effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers worldwide and their critics. She now leads The Business Plan for Peace to help prevent violent conflict and build sustainable peace throughout the world, because it is possible; based on her latest books The Business Plan for Peace: Building a World Without War (2017), The Mighty Heart: How to Transform Conflict (2020), and The Mighty Heart in Action (2022).

Dr. Elworthy founded Peace Direct in 2002 to fund, promote and learn from local peace-builders in conflict areas, was awarded the Niwano Peace Prize in 2003 and the Goi Peace Award in 2023. She advised Peter Gabriel, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Richard Branson in setting up ‘The Elders’.

Her TED talk on nonviolence has been viewed by over 1,500,000 people.

Follow Dr. Elworthy:

The Business Plan for Peace by Scilla Elworthy

Website

Instagram

This episode is sponsored by Euphrates Institute, a global community equipping everyday people to become peacebuilders through trainings, workshops, resources, and monthly calls. Join us at www.euphrates.org.