Community Peacemaking Framework
The Community Peacemaking Framework sets out the foundations for safe, credible and place-based community peacemaking.
It supports communities, organisations and agencies to consider what must be in place before local peacemaking is established, strengthened or expanded. This includes cultural foundations, shared values, local leadership, decision-making, agreed ways of working, practitioner roles and readiness, relationships, coordination, safeguards, accountability and recognised authority.
Community peacemaking is shaped by people, relationships, family, culture, history and place. The Framework does not provide one model for every community. It supports careful local decision-making while identifying the responsibilities and safeguards needed for safe and sustainable practice.
Using the Framework
The Framework supports learning, informed discussion and responsible decision-making. It helps communities, organisations and agencies consider whether the relationships, authority, readiness and ongoing support needed for local peacemaking are in place.
Examples are included to support reflection and understanding. They illustrate how community peacemaking may work in different settings but do not prescribe one approach or provide a step-by-step implementation process.
The Framework does not replace local conversations, cultural guidance, training, practitioner development or appropriate approval. Each community must determine what is culturally grounded, locally supported, accountable and sustainable for its place.
Authority and Approval
Communities own and direct their local peacemaking practice. Authority over relationships, cultural knowledge and local ways of making peace remains with the people and structures recognised as appropriate within each place.
Peacemaking Australia develops and holds the Community Peacemaking Framework and the professional resources, methodology, training and support associated with its use. The Framework does not grant cultural authority, community approval or permission to practise.
Accessing, reading or using the Framework does not authorise a person, organisation or agency to:
- deliver community peacemaking;
- represent themselves as an approved community peacemaker;
- claim endorsement or approval from Peacemaking Australia; or
- present the Framework as evidence of formal training, recognised authority or approval.
Communities, organisations and agencies seeking to establish, deliver or strengthen practice using the Framework should work with Peacemaking Australia. This helps ensure that appropriate training, practitioner development, approval pathways, implementation guidance, quality assurance and ongoing support are in place.
Language and Culture
Peacemaking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters and places across the continent and islands now known as Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the continuing authority, knowledge, cultures and responsibilities of First Nations peoples.
The Framework and this website may use terms including First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, community, Country, place, Elders and cultural authority.
These terms are not interchangeable. Preferred language differs between peoples, communities, regions and jurisdictions.
Peacemaking Australia seeks to use language that is respectful, accurate and grounded in the people and place being discussed. When working with a particular community, Nation or language group, guidance should be sought from people with appropriate cultural authority about the language, protocols and ways of speaking that apply in that place.
Some material may refer to historical records, reports, policies, practices or views that reflect the language and attitudes of their time. This may include words, descriptions or perspectives now understood to be inappropriate, inaccurate or offensive.
Where this material is included, its purpose is to support learning, truth-telling and reflection. It may also help explain the systems and practices that continue to affect community peacemaking. Its inclusion does not indicate endorsement of the language or views expressed.
If you believe information on this website is culturally insensitive, inappropriate, inaccurate or requires correction, please contact Peacemaking Australia. We will consider the matter carefully and respectfully.
Deceased Persons
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised that this website may contain the names, images, voices, stories or other references to people who have passed away.
Families, communities and cultural groups follow different protocols concerning deceased persons. Seeing an image, hearing a voice or reading the name or story of a person who has passed away may cause distress or offence.
Visitors are encouraged to use care when accessing this material and to follow the cultural protocols that apply to their family, community or place.