Who We Are

Karuna Center for Peacebuilding was founded in 1994 by Dr. Paula Green, a psychologist, educator, and activist. The field of peacebuilding was relatively new, and some of our first projects fostered social healing following the genocide in Rwanda and the ethnic cleansing campaigns of the Bosnian War. In the decades since, we have led initiatives in a total of more than 35 conflict-affected countries, including the United States. 

Karuna Center maintains a lean and nimble structure that centers on collaboration. Our core staff has extensive expertise in facilitating peacebuilding processes—including participatory program design and implementation, dialogue across deep divides, trauma-sensitive peacebuilding, and peace leadership development. 

Through our global network of skilled peacebuilding associates and our close collaborations with partner organizations, Karuna Center draws upon a wider field of expertise and cultural experience. In adapting our peacebuilding approach to each specific context, we engage with a range of people and organizations: civil society organizations and networks, grassroots communities, faith-based organizations, government ministries, multilateral organizations and development institutions, and when appropriate, armed groups. 

All of our programs focus on building local capacity to respond effectively and nonviolently to future conflicts. In many cases, participants go on to create their own local peacebuilding organizations and networks that remain Karuna Center partners.