Feature

Psychology's peace builders

A truth seeker in Africa; putting the evidence in peace building; radio messages for peace; an Australian activist; race and education; training tomorrow’s peace psychologists; intractable conflicts.

By Cassandra Willyard

July/August 2012, Vol 43, No. 7

Print version: page 44

Members of APA’s Div. 48 (Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence) are conducting research and working in the field to understand how conflicts arise and to help end violence.

“Our concern is how to get communities peaceful and how to keep them sustainable,” says Julie Meranze Levitt, PhD, past president of the division. Here are a few examples of psychologists working internationally and domestically for a more peaceful world.

Cassandra Willyard is a writer in New York.

Join the International Day of Peace: Sept. 21.

At noon on Friday Sept. 21, people around the world will ring a bell in honor of International Day of Peace, asking world leaders and their militaries to cease fire for just one day.


APA's Div. 48 is among the many groups that celebrate Peace Day, first recognized in 1981. Now in its third decade, the event features peace parades, vigils and other activities that foster peace. To watch a video about Peace Day, go to the website for Div. 48 (Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence: Peace Psychology Division).