Restorative schools
Peer councils, dialogue circles, and relationship-centered practices that support accountability and repair. Guidance on hearing protocols, staff training, and program design.
Research · Dialogue · Action
Peace begins
with relationships.
The Institute for Peacebuilding and Strategic Studies connects research and practice to transform conflict, repair harm, and strengthen communities.
Explore our work ↗Listen.
Connect.
Transform.
Connect.
Transform.
Restorative justiceMediation & dialogueTraining & capacity buildingStrategic research
Our purpose
Transform conflict.
Strengthen connection.
Lasting peace grows when people can be heard, take responsibility, and help shape the decisions that affect their lives.
IPSS brings peacebuilding, restorative justice, and strategic studies together. Our work serves schools, justice practitioners, community organizations, and leaders seeking practical ways to prevent violence and transform conflict.
Areas of practice
From ideas to practice.
Justice & community
Restorative approaches for justice practitioners and communities: victim–offender dialogue, re-entry, and meaningful participation, with attention to consent and safety.
Mediation & conflict transformation
Facilitated dialogue to understand the roots of conflict, rebuild communication, and develop workable agreements. Attention to relationships, underlying needs, and context.
Training & leadership
Workshops in active listening, conflict analysis, facilitation, ethics, and agreement follow-through. Practical tools for educators, facilitators, and community leaders.
Our approach
Relationships at the heart of change.
A context-sensitive approach grounded in listening and oriented toward concrete commitments.
Understand the context
Listen to those affected and identify needs, harms, and conflict dynamics.
Make space for dialogue
Prepare for voluntary, respectful participation with attention to power and inclusion.
Build and sustain commitments
Develop realistic agreements, strengthen local capacity, and review progress.
Research & learning
Inquiry that informs action.
Research focus
Restorative justice in Kansas
Research into the use of restorative practices across education and justice, including victim–offender conferencing, participant experiences, and implementation needs.
Contribute to the conversation ↗- Schools & peer councilsDesign, training, and monitoring of restorative practices.
- People-centered justiceVictims’ needs, accountability, and reintegration.
- Peacebuilding & strategyConflict analysis, prevention, and community participation.
Leadership
Bridging disciplines and experience.
Zihindula V. Mulegwa
Founder & Director
A Kansas Supreme Court Approved Mediator, lawyer, and peacebuilding practitioner, Zihindula V. Mulegwa brings together training in law, justice and peacebuilding, and international studies and diplomacy.
His work connects mediation, restorative justice, training, and conflict transformation. He works in English, French, Swahili, and Lingala.
Work with IPSS
Let’s build the conditions for peace.
Schools, justice practitioners, researchers, and community organizations: tell us about your project or training needs.
info@instituteforpeacebuilding.org
Prepare your inquiry here, then open your email app to send it to info@instituteforpeacebuilding.org.