Fighting with Nonviolence with Scilla Elworthy

Jan 26, 2026

Scilla Elworthy, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and founder of the Oxford Research Group and Peace Direct, shares stories from decades of peacebuilding. She describes bringing nuclear decision-makers together, the power of silence and deep listening, how humiliation fuels conflict, the rising influence of women in diplomacy, and simple practices like breathing and hospitality to de-escalate tense moments.

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INSIGHT

Humiliation Fuels Conflict

Scilla argues humiliation drives much international conflict because diplomacy traditionally aims to make opponents feel small.
Replacing humiliation with humanising practices reduces antagonism and lowers the chance of escalation.

ADVICE

Make Listening A Meeting Rule

Scilla trained participants to listen and confirm understanding before speaking to make dialogues productive.
She enforced norms that required people to check comprehension to stop point-scoring and speed progress.

INSIGHT

Inner Work Enables Outer Effectiveness

Scilla found inner personal work is a prerequisite for effective external peacebuilding.
Practicing self-questioning and listening reduces the urge to be right and opens space for alignment.

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Alex Evans interviews Dr. Scilla Elworthy, renowned peacebuilder and founder of the Oxford Research Group and Peace Direct. They discuss the power of dialogue in defusing nuclear tensions, the critical role of humility and listening in conflict mediation, the impact of trauma on world leaders, and the increasing influence of women in diplomacy. Dr. Elworthy shares lessons from her decades of peace work, offers practical advice on building empathy and resilience, and highlights the transformative potential of “inner work.” The conversation concludes with practical advice for individuals seeking to build peace.

Key topics

- The origins and impact of the Oxford Research Group’s nuclear dialogues
- The role of trust-building, silence, and listening in conflict resolution
- How humiliation, contempt, and trauma drive conflict
- The rising influence and unique approach of women in peace and diplomacy
- Meditation and contemplative practices in facilitating dialogue
- The necessity of inner personal work for effective external peacebuilding
- Personal stories of inspiration and hope in peace work
- Practical advice: stopping, breathing, and listening, in order to foster peace

People

Dr. Scilla Elworthy is a peace activist, founder of the Oxford Research Group and Peace Direct, author and has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Scilla pioneered effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers and their critics through the Oxford Research Group, which she founded in 1982.

In 2002 she founded Peace Direct, to support and learn from local peace-builders in conflict zones. She has advised Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Richard Branson on establishing The Elders, and in 2003 received the Niwano Peace Prize.

Today, Scilla focuses on developing The Mighty Heart, a course that equips people with ten practical skills for transforming conflict. The course helps break cycles of violence and supports paths toward dialogue and agreement.

Alex Evans is the founder and Executive Director of Larger Us. He’s also a Visiting Professor in Practice at Newcastle University’s School of Arts and Cultures, a Senior Fellow at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, and the author of The Myth Gap: What Happens When Evidence and Arguments Aren’t Enough? (Penguin, 2017).

Alex is a former Campaign Director at Avaaz, where he ran campaigns on areas including Brexit and human rights. He’s also been a political adviser, including for two UK Secretaries of State for International Development and in the UN Secretary-General’s office, and as a consultant for organisations from Oxfam to the US National Intelligence Council.

Further Reading

The Business Plan for Peace by Scilla Elworthy

Making Terrorism History by Scilla Elworthy & Gabrielle Rifkind

Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) conflict data.

Writings and talks by Thich Nhat Hanh