Peacemaking circles: creating a safe space for accountability and reconciliation, Part II.

Source: (2001) Grinnell, IA: Iowa Peace Institute.

In the first article, Bruce Kittle discussed values, guidelines, and steps in the circle process. In this article, he identifies different ways circles are being employed in various settings, and he describes a case in which staff from the Iowa Peace Institute helped to facilitate a circle. As part of this he distinguishes between “talking circlesâ€? and “peacemaking circles.â€? While they have significant similarities in values and processes, a talking circle may concern any topic, whereas a peacemaking circle deals with a particular conflict, offense, or crime. Kittle then points out various forms of peacemaking circles in different settings. This is made concrete when he summarizes the role of Iowa Peace Institute staff in a particular form of circle – specifically, a reintegration circle – in a juvenile offending case.