Inquiry as Practice: Building Relationships through Listening in Participatory Action Peace Research

Abstract

Although the end goal of much research is to better understand phenomena and generate new knowledge, there is no reason to stop there. Participatory action peace research can leverage inquiry in a process that brings different parties together to learn, share, and ultimately listen to another side of an issue. Recent work in Cambodia bringing together different groups of minority girls and young women through a participatory action research design not only generated new data and analysis on intersectional issues faced by girls, but also facilitated a conduit of relationship-building that has resulted in unified advocacy and deep friendship. In the push for a more inclusive society in which minority girls are equally heard, this work is an example of how the process-side of participatory action research can foster the relationships needed to better advocate within a positive peace context and bring issues of social justice to key stakeholders through unity built on mutual understanding and new friendship.