Peacebuilding circles as a care technology: innovative experiences in health

Abstract

This article reports the experience of implementing Peacebuilding Circles as a tool for care in the field of health, developed between June 2024 and August 2025 in the municipalities of Jequié and Ipiaú, in Bahia. The initiative resulted from the partnership between the Heart of Ink Program and the Research Group on Violence, Health, and Culture of Peace (GPVIO/UESB), integrating teaching, research, and outreach around Restorative Justice (RJ). Participants included undergraduate students, health professionals, public servants, students, and community groups, addressing topics such as masculinities, self-care, mental health, gender, and relationships. The circular methodology, inspired by ancestral knowledge and restorative principles, fostered active listening, shared responsibility, and the strengthening of social bonds. Although initially unfamiliar with the practice, participants demonstrated engagement, trust, and openness to dialogue, recognizing the circles as spaces of inclusion, belonging, and collective reflection. The experience highlighted the potential of the Peacebuilding Circles as a relational care technology and an interdisciplinary practice by integrating the fields of health, education, and justice to promote a culture of peace. Furthermore, it emphasized the positive impact of facilitator training, which contributed to theoretical-methodological improvement and the application of restorative principles in different social contexts. It is concluded that, although further studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness as a care tool, the Peacebuilding Circles represent a promising strategy for health promotion, community strengthening, and the consolidation of a culture of peace.