The “ Reflections from the Field” event was part of an extraordinary month of programming at the NYU Peace Research and Education Program. Bringing together both students and practitioners, the event created a space to reflect on the unprecedented shifts currently reshaping the peacebuilding field. Against a backdrop of major changes in global funding structures, political dynamics, and institutional support systems, the discussion focused on how peacebuilding actors are being pushed to rethink traditional approaches. As highlighted throughout the event, these seismic shifts, particularly in the United States and across the Global North, are driving new forms of innovation, from alternative financing models to the increasing use of technology, including artificial intelligence, as tools to address power imbalances and adapt to evolving challenges.  

The event featured two complementary panels. A student panel, including Luna Tejedor Amblar, Ashlie Oxford, and Carolina de Almeida Pernambuco Moron, shared reflections from their summer consultancies with peacebuilding organizations around the world. Their insights highlighted how emerging practitioners are navigating disruption and identifying new pathways for impact. This was followed by a practitioner panel with Vijayta Narang, Bernie Shaw, and Jirandy Martinez, who discussed how their organizations are actively adapting to these global shifts through innovative strategies and approaches. A central theme that emerged across both panels was the growing emphasis on re-centering local voices. As traditional systems face increasing strain, communities themselves are playing a more prominent role in defining and driving peacebuilding efforts. The conversation underscored that while the current moment presents significant challenges, it also opens up space for more inclusive, adaptive, and locally grounded approaches to peace. The event served as both a reflection on a rapidly changing field and a forward-looking discussion on how peacebuilding can evolve in response, highlighting innovation, resilience, and the importance of reimagining pathways to peace.