Connecting Friendship, Peace and Social Justice

Abstract

Friendship is often left out of the discussions about peace. Likewise social justice is not always included in debates around peace and conflict. Friendship can be considered as vital for justice or to be unfair and unjust. This Special Issue on Friendship, Peace and Social Justice contributes to making the connections between three overlapping concepts that are vital for living in a functioning and sustainable society/world. Topics considered include civic friendship, virtue friendship, social friendship, friendship treaties, cultures of peace, peace activism and resistance, peace and justice movements, environmental campaigns, community building, art collectives, dialogue, facilitative listening, Ubuntu, reconciliation and healing, relationship building, the role of social media and friendship, friendship, peace and psycho-social development. It is clear that there are cyclical connections where friendship is considered to be helpful/essential for social justice/peace; social justice movements create friendships; peaceful societies need friendship relations and also allow friendship relationships to blossom. Friendship can be instrumental, altruistic, practical, idealistic, ethical and a source of peace. It can also be seen as immoral and a source of conflict. Friendships can survive or be built in conflict or might dissolve and disintegrate. Of course it is complicated. Relationships for creating peace and social justice are. Friendship though needs to be explored as a means and an end of peaceful just living.