From Law to Listening. Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Lajayi
Elizabeth’s journey into peacebuilding has been shaped less by a single defining moment and more by a gradual awareness of how people experience conflict, power, and justice in their everyday lives. Now based in Washington, DC, Elizabeth is a graduate of Howard University School of Law, where she completed her legal education during the height of the global pandemic in 2020. Navigating law school in such an uncertain period required adaptability, patience, and reflection at a formative stage in her career. Originally from the United States with parents from Nigeria, Elizabeth grew up with a layered understanding of culture, identity, and belonging. These experiences continue to inform how she approaches conflict across communities and borders.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. During her studies, Elizabeth developed a growing interest in sociology and psychology, disciplines that helped her better understand human behavior and social dynamics. While she did not pursue psychology as a career, its influence remains evident in her work today. “A lot of problems come down to being people’s problems,” she reflected. She often attributes conflict not to malicious intent, but to breakdowns in understanding. “Communication is such an important thing that is underrated,” she explained, noting that perspective plays a powerful role in how people interpret one another. “We often have blind spots.”
Elizabeth traces her earliest interest in peacebuilding to her college years, when she took courses that examined international systems and cross border issues. “Originally the first inclination was back in college,” she said. “I took courses and learned so much about certain actions in international aspects.” These experiences introduced her to questions of global accountability, aid, and cooperation, and sparked an interest in international work. When she decided to attend law school, that curiosity became more intentional. “I went to law school with a vision to help people,” she explained, viewing legal training as a tool for service rather than solely a mechanism for litigation.
A pivotal experience came during her third year of law school through an externship with the World Bank Group, which was accompanied by an introductory course in alternative dispute resolution. Additionally, working alongside the International Court team in law school exposed Elizabeth to an environment shaped by global representation and collaborative problem-solving. “It showed me the importance of diversity,” she said, describing how representatives from nearly every country brought unique perspectives to the table. What stood out most to her was how many challenges transcended borders. “We had a lot of common issues that went all over the world,” she explained, despite cultural and political differences. The experience reinforced her desire to remain engaged in the international space and deepened her interest in cultural rights; particularly issues of fair compensation and recognition for marginalized communities affected by large-scale infrastructure and development projects.
During law school, Elizabeth also participated in international moot court competitions focusing on cultural and Indigenous rights, religious rights, biodiversity, international trade, and more. These experiences further solidified her interest in international law while expanding her exposure to alternative dispute resolution. “It allowed my mind to be open to alternative dispute resolution,” she said. That same year, she obtained her mediation certification, recognizing that mediation offered a more relational and flexible approach to addressing conflict than traditional litigation. She began to see advocacy not as a singular path, but as a spectrum of tools that could be used to meet people where they are.
Elizabeth’s work in alternative dispute resolution shifted her understanding of peacebuilding. Rather than viewing conflicts through a binary lens of right and wrong, she began to appreciate complexity. “Being able to recognize a version of good on both sides allows us to at least come to the table for a discussion,” she explained. Her research on cultural rights further strengthened her sensitivity to nuance and the lived experiences of smaller or marginalized groups. She emphasized the importance of learning niche issues and advocating for communities whose voices are often overlooked in formal systems.
Today, Elizabeth’s peacebuilding efforts are centered on mediation and restorative justice. She continues to engage with the international law community as a moot court judge and remains attentive to developments in global legal frameworks. For her, peacebuilding is an evolving practice that requires continuous learning, self awareness, and humility.
The challenges she encounters are often emotional rather than procedural. When asked how she navigates them, her response was straightforward. “With a lot of patience,” she said. In mediation, she strives to approach each interaction with openness. “I have to take everything I hear and give them the benefit of the doubt and lead with that.” She believes many conflicts escalate because people judge actions based on impact without considering intention. High emotion can cloud communication, making understanding more difficult, yet also more necessary.
Central to Elizabeth’s approach is presence. “Meeting them where they are,” she explained. She believes resolution is impossible if people do not feel genuinely acknowledged. “You won’t be able to solve the problem unless people feel heard.” Those involved in conflict bring lived experiences that cannot be dismissed or overridden. “They have the lived-experience and you need to meet them where they are and come from a place of understanding.” She prioritizes creating space for individuals to speak in their own words. “Empower them to use their own voice,” she said. “It is important to break down barriers as best as you can.”
Elizabeth also emphasized how deeply local context shapes peacebuilding strategies. Culture, history, and politics influence not only how conflict arises, but how resolution is understood. Certain communities have distinct value systems and communication styles that must be respected to avoid harm. “It is important to meet the people I am mediating with at their level,” she said. She often adapts her language and listens closely to uncover underlying priorities. “Have a baseline, but really listen to where people are.”
When asked how she defines success in peacebuilding, Elizabeth acknowledged that it is rarely clear cut. Many mediations do not end in full resolution. “As the mediator you don’t know if you have really addressed their concerns,” she said. Unlike traditional legal practice, there is no final judgment or definitive outcome. Instead, she measures success by the integrity of the process. “Success to me is following my process, making sure I allow the space for conversation and allow each party to share their portion.” When people begin to trust the process and one another, she considers that meaningful progress.
Building trust, she explained, begins with sincerity. “Showing genuine care and concern. This is a people centered role. I have to care.” She prioritizes giving individuals the time and space they need to share their stories, while also ensuring she maintains her own emotional grounding so she can remain present and effective.
After graduating from law school, Elizabeth did a clerkship with a judge. It was part of the restorative justice project tasked with reconsidering legislation that allowed juveniles sentenced to life to have their cases reopened after serving twenty years. Initially, her reaction reflected common assumptions. “When you first hear of these cases your first thought is no,” she said. However, engaging deeply with the individuals involved challenged that instinct. “I did not have answers on what justice looked like. I recognized that there are multiple ways to justice being served.” The experience reinforced her belief that justice is not singular, but contextual and human.
What sustains Elizabeth in this work—not only this job, but this area of law due to its ability to address issues on a micro-level—is the tangible impact she sees in everyday interactions. “I get hope from this job because I see the effect I can have on someone’s day or life,” she said. The difference feels immediate and real. By offering people space, tools, and dignity, she believes she is helping them reclaim agency. That empowerment, she noted, “has the potential to have a trickle effect.” Reflecting on the broader significance of her work, she added, “Maybe this is making the world a better place, little by little.” At the core of her philosophy is a simple belief. “Everyone wants to be seen and heard.”
Looking ahead, Elizabeth is focused on growth and creativity. She has joined Mediators Beyond Borders International to deepen her practice and is exploring opportunities that align with her evolving interests. Her future goals include community mediation, community building, restorative justice, and finding meaningful ways to integrate international law into peacebuilding efforts. For Elizabeth, the path forward requires curiosity, flexibility, and courage. “You have to be creative and open minded in this space.”
Article by Shamailah Islam, MBBI Writer