27/04/2026
One month ago, peace psychologists and practitioners from all around the world convened in Manila, Philippines from March 23 to 27 for the 2026 International Symposium on the Contributions of Psychology to Peace. Highlighting this year’s theme, “Building Peace in Wounded Communities and Democracies,” the delegates recognized and brought together the diverse ways researchers and practitioners have engaged the difficult questions of peace and peacebuilding, especially through the lens and practice of psychology.
The first three days of the symposium were devoted to the academic sessions, capping off with the Multicultural Night on the evening of Day 3. On the fourth day, the delegates embarked on an emotional encounter with the left-behind families of Duterte’s war on drugs. The conference officially concluded with the peace declaration workshop.
The symposium was hosted by the Political Psychology of Democratization Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University, with the support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Tagpuan Ateneo Center for Dialogue, Research, and Collaboration, and the Ateneo Global (Office of the Assistant Vice President for University Partnerships and Internationalization).
Organized under the auspices of the International Network for Peace Psychology (INPP), the symposium brings together 30 to 40 participants every two years.
