Studying Peacebuilding and Nonviolence: The Ethos and Experience of the International Centre of Nonviolence, South Africa

The chapter delves into the challenging context of South Africa's high levels of violence, particularly against women and girls, and the work of the International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) at Durban University of Technology. It discusses the establishment and evolution of ICON, focusing on its use of transformative learning and participatory action research to build peace and address violence. The text explores the theoretical foundations of transformative learning, such as Mezirow's theory, and how it is applied in ICON's teaching and research. It also highlights the practical aspects of action research through case studies, showcasing the impact of these methods in communities across Africa. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the long-term impacts and sustainability of these approaches, emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation and reflection.