Search for Common Ground Founder John Marks Inspires Students and Straus Community in Mediation Class
On November 21, 2024, Pepperdine Caruso Law welcomed renowned peacebuilding expert and social entrepreneur John Marks to professor Helen Winter’s mediation class. The event, which drew a full audience of students, faculty, and Straus community members, centered on Marks’s latest book, From Vision to Action: Remaking the World Through Social Entrepreneurship.
In a captivating interview led by Winter, Marks shared insights from his decades of experience fostering dialogue and promoting nonviolent solutions to conflicts worldwide. Reflecting on his tenure as the founder of Search for Common Ground—one of the largest peacebuilding nonprofits globally—Marks highlighted pivotal moments, such as mediating between former Cold War adversaries and using creative mediums like television to bridge cultural divides. He also delved into the core themes of his new book, emphasizing the importance of finding common ground and acting on shared goals to achieve meaningful change.
The event was made possible through the connection facilitated by adjunct professor William Nix, who introduced Marks to Winter. Students had the opportunity to engage directly with Marks in a lively Q&A session following the interview. Questions ranged from his strategies for effective peace negotiation to his views on how incremental change can create lasting impact.
Caruso Law student Viorel Rabei from Moldova noted the significance of Marks’ visit, “His stories and practical lessons are invaluable for the next generation of mediators and changemakers. Having someone of his stature share his journey is a unique and enriching experience for our students.”
This special session not only provided a masterclass in peacebuilding but also inspired attendees to think critically about how to bring positive change to their communities and beyond.
About the John Marks:
John Marks is the founder of the renowned peacebuilding nonprofit Search for Common Ground. Together with his wife Susan Collin Marks, they built the organization into a global force for peace, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. When he stepped down as its president after thirty-two years, the organization had a staff of six hundred full-time employees and offices in thirty-five countries. He is now the founder and managing director of Confluence International and a visiting scholar in peacebuilding and social entrepreneurship at Leiden University. Marks is coauthor of the controversial New York Times best-seller The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence and the award-winning Search for the “Manchurian Candidate.” Marks also founded Common Ground Productions and has produced a TV series promoting nonviolent coexistence in twenty-five countries. In the words of co-author of Getting to Yes William Ury, “no one has done more to advance the field of practical conflict resolution around the globe than John and Susan Marks.”
Marks's book may be found at From Vision to Action
