Around 1/4 of all people worldwide live in countries affected by conflict.
With this in mind, it’s time we started investing more in peacemaking.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers (QSP-online) is a course of five short modules, each based on a film about outstanding peacemakers and acts as an introduction to an approach to peacemaking that was developed by Frank Buchman, the founder of what is today known as Initiatives of Change. To unpack these various approaches, the five films below have been selected. Those which have trailers available have been linked.
A film about Frank Buchman himself. The facilitated analysis focuses on the principal phases in his life, from founding a hostel for street kids in the early 1900s; to creating an international network for moral and spiritual renewal; to contributing to reconciliation between France and Germany, as well as between Japan and the Philippines after the Second World War, for which he was decorated by their respective governments.
‘For the Love of Tomorrow’
Set in the international context, it takes a particular example of Buchman’s approach, which took place in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The analysis after the film focuses on the roles of four people including Buchman, who worked together to help an embittered French politician become a significant agent for post-war reconciliation with the Germans.
Set in a community in northern Nigeria divided by religious conflict, this film shows how a change of heart in individuals led to initiatives which had a far wider impact. It relates how two former rival militia leaders came together to train imams and pastors to mediate in flash points across the country and beyond. The analysis focuses on how the two men reconciled, and what the strategies they used in helping to bring about reconciliation in two key towns.
Sequel to the previous film, it focuses on healing ethnic conflict. ‘Here we see the imam and the pastor in Kenya after serious post-election violence in 2007-8, applying the mediation approach that they developed in Nigeria. After the film, participants will analyse the mediation process step by step.
In the period after the end of Apartheid and the multi-party elections, the South African Defence Force killed a group of black youths. A black guerrilla commander ordered a revenge shooting in which a white girl died. Some years later, the girl’s mother finds an opportunity to confront the guerrilla commander, and they speak of the painful realisations for both of them as they begin to journey together. The analysis will focus on the steps each took on that journey, and what they did together as a result.
The films show examples of reconciliation after conflict in a variety of contexts: inter-national, inter-religious, inter-ethnic and post-colonial. After an introduction and viewing of the film, participants take part in an interactive analysis facilitated by Dr Omnia Marzouk, Amina Dikedi-Ajakiaye, or Peter Riddell (see bios below).
The main aim of the course is to absorb as much wisdom as possible about the healing of broken relationships from these remarkable stories, and to reflect on our own peacemaking.
Additional Information
On the morning of each module, you will receive direct links to the Zoom meeting, the film itself, and note sheets designed for your personal use while watching the film.
To enhance the course’s effectiveness, your feedback is invaluable. Following the final module, we kindly request you to complete an online evaluation form for our internal improvement efforts. With your permission, we may use some of your insightful quotes for publicity purposes, highlighting the impact of our program.
Upon attending all modules and submitting the evaluation form, you’ll be awarded a well-deserved Certificate of Completion. If life’s demands make you miss a module or two – you’re welcome to participate in a future course to catch up and still be eligible for the certificate.
We highly value individual preferences and circumstances. While we understand that some participants might prefer not to appear on video or might have bandwidth constraints, we encourage you to consider keeping your video on as it enhances the interactive experience and fosters meaningful connections among participants.
QSP is for anyone over the age of 18, in particular those who want to respond to past or present instability in their countries. Click here for a time-zone converter to see what time the course will be running from where you are. It aims to enrich their understanding of peace-making and stimulate new ideas for ways forward.
QSP is free of charge, but voluntary donations to extend the programme are appreciated.
Understanding My Concerns and Finding My Focus (April)
Are you feeling overwhelmed with what is going on in the world? Do you have decisions to make? Are there actions you might want to take?
Join Creators of Peace UK for this 90-minute session, offering a space for women to reflect on their daily concerns and work towards finding a focus in their days and weeks ahead. In these challenging times, we offer a space for personal reflection and direction.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers – April Online CourseAround 1/4 of all people worldwide live in countries affected by conflict.
With this in mind, it’s time we started investing more in peacemaking.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers (QSP-online) is a course of five short modules, each based on a film about outstanding peacemakers and acts as an introduction to an approach to peacemaking that was developed by Frank Buchman, the founder of what is today known as Initiatives of Change. To unpack these various approaches, the five films below have been selected. Those which have trailers available have been linked.
A film about Frank Buchman himself. The facilitated analysis focuses on the principal phases in his life, from founding a hostel for street kids in the early 1900s; to creating an international network for moral and spiritual renewal; to contributing to reconciliation between France and Germany, as well as between Japan and the Philippines after the Second World War, for which he was decorated by their respective governments.
‘For the Love of Tomorrow’
Set in the international context, it takes a particular example of Buchman’s approach, which took place in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The analysis after the film focuses on the roles of four people including Buchman, who worked together to help an embittered French politician become a significant agent for post-war reconciliation with the Germans.
Set in a community in northern Nigeria divided by religious conflict, this film shows how a change of heart in individuals led to initiatives which had a far wider impact. It relates how two former rival militia leaders came together to train imams and pastors to mediate in flash points across the country and beyond. The analysis focuses on how the two men reconciled, and what the strategies they used in helping to bring about reconciliation in two key towns.
Sequel to the previous film, it focuses on healing ethnic conflict. ‘Here we see the imam and the pastor in Kenya after serious post-election violence in 2007-8, applying the mediation approach that they developed in Nigeria. After the film, participants will analyse the mediation process step by step.
In the period after the end of Apartheid and the multi-party elections, the South African Defence Force killed a group of black youths. A black guerrilla commander ordered a revenge shooting in which a white girl died. Some years later, the girl’s mother finds an opportunity to confront the guerrilla commander, and they speak of the painful realisations for both of them as they begin to journey together. The analysis will focus on the steps each took on that journey, and what they did together as a result.
The films show examples of reconciliation after conflict in a variety of contexts: inter-national, inter-religious, inter-ethnic and post-colonial. After an introduction and viewing of the film, participants take part in an interactive analysis facilitated by Dr Omnia Marzouk, Amina Dikedi-Ajakiaye, or Peter Riddell (see bios below).
The main aim of the course is to absorb as much wisdom as possible about the healing of broken relationships from these remarkable stories, and to reflect on our own peacemaking.
Additional Information
On the morning of each module, you will receive direct links to the Zoom meeting, the film itself, and note sheets designed for your personal use while watching the film.
To enhance the course’s effectiveness, your feedback is invaluable. Following the final module, we kindly request you to complete an online evaluation form for our internal improvement efforts. With your permission, we may use some of your insightful quotes for publicity purposes, highlighting the impact of our program.
Upon attending all modules and submitting the evaluation form, you’ll be awarded a well-deserved Certificate of Completion. If life’s demands make you miss a module or two – you’re welcome to participate in a future course to catch up and still be eligible for the certificate.
We highly value individual preferences and circumstances. While we understand that some participants might prefer not to appear on video or might have bandwidth constraints, we encourage you to consider keeping your video on as it enhances the interactive experience and fosters meaningful connections among participants.
QSP is for anyone over the age of 18, in particular those who want to respond to past or present instability in their countries. Click here for a time-zone converter to see what time the course will be running from where you are. It aims to enrich their understanding of peace-making and stimulate new ideas for ways forward.
QSP is free of charge, but voluntary donations to extend the programme are appreciated.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers – June Online Course
Around 1/4 of all people worldwide live in countries affected by conflict.
With this in mind, it’s time we started investing more in peacemaking.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers (QSP-online) is a course of five short modules, each based on a film about outstanding peacemakers and acts as an introduction to an approach to peacemaking that was developed by Frank Buchman, the founder of what is today known as Initiatives of Change. To unpack these various approaches, the five films below have been selected. Those which have trailers available have been linked.
A film about Frank Buchman himself. The facilitated analysis focuses on the principal phases in his life, from founding a hostel for street kids in the early 1900s; to creating an international network for moral and spiritual renewal; to contributing to reconciliation between France and Germany, as well as between Japan and the Philippines after the Second World War, for which he was decorated by their respective governments.
‘For the Love of Tomorrow’
Set in the international context, it takes a particular example of Buchman’s approach, which took place in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The analysis after the film focuses on the roles of four people including Buchman, who worked together to help an embittered French politician become a significant agent for post-war reconciliation with the Germans.
Set in a community in northern Nigeria divided by religious conflict, this film shows how a change of heart in individuals led to initiatives which had a far wider impact. It relates how two former rival militia leaders came together to train imams and pastors to mediate in flash points across the country and beyond. The analysis focuses on how the two men reconciled, and what the strategies they used in helping to bring about reconciliation in two key towns.
Sequel to the previous film, it focuses on healing ethnic conflict. ‘Here we see the imam and the pastor in Kenya after serious post-election violence in 2007-8, applying the mediation approach that they developed in Nigeria. After the film, participants will analyse the mediation process step by step.
In the period after the end of Apartheid and the multi-party elections, the South African Defence Force killed a group of black youths. A black guerrilla commander ordered a revenge shooting in which a white girl died. Some years later, the girl’s mother finds an opportunity to confront the guerrilla commander, and they speak of the painful realisations for both of them as they begin to journey together. The analysis will focus on the steps each took on that journey, and what they did together as a result.
The films show examples of reconciliation after conflict in a variety of contexts: inter-national, inter-religious, inter-ethnic and post-colonial. After an introduction and viewing of the film, participants take part in an interactive analysis facilitated by Dr Omnia Marzouk, Amina Dikedi-Ajakiaye, or Peter Riddell (see bios below).
The main aim of the course is to absorb as much wisdom as possible about the healing of broken relationships from these remarkable stories, and to reflect on our own peacemaking.
Additional Information
On the morning of each module, you will receive direct links to the Zoom meeting, the film itself, and note sheets designed for your personal use while watching the film.
To enhance the course’s effectiveness, your feedback is invaluable. Following the final module, we kindly request you to complete an online evaluation form for our internal improvement efforts. With your permission, we may use some of your insightful quotes for publicity purposes, highlighting the impact of our program.
Upon attending all modules and submitting the evaluation form, you’ll be awarded a well-deserved Certificate of Completion. If life’s demands make you miss a module or two – you’re welcome to participate in a future course to catch up and still be eligible for the certificate.
We highly value individual preferences and circumstances. While we understand that some participants might prefer not to appear on video or might have bandwidth constraints, we encourage you to consider keeping your video on as it enhances the interactive experience and fosters meaningful connections among participants.
QSP is for anyone over the age of 18, in particular those who want to respond to past or present instability in their countries. Click here for a time-zone converter to see what time the course will be running from where you are. It aims to enrich their understanding of peace-making and stimulate new ideas for ways forward.
QSP is free of charge, but voluntary donations to extend the programme are appreciated.
IofC UK Insight; Russia Past and Present: Tyranny and Truth
The chilling image of the Kremlin, framed in barbed wire, was taken from the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge where dissident politician Boris Nemtsov was assassinated on 27th February 2015.
Boris Nemtsov was a fearless critic of Vladimir Putin, relentlessly denouncing Russian aggression in Chechnya in the 1990s. With Alexei Navalny, he led the March of Peace in 2014, which drew tens of thousands of Russians in anti-war protests. Nemtsov and Navalny exposed the truth of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, putting their lives on the line to inform the Russian people about the Kremlin’s real actions and intentions. The devastating full-scale war in Ukraine marks its third year on 22nd February.
Ten years on from Nemtsov’s murder, three years on from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and one year after Navalny’s death in an Arctic prison, we invite you to join us in a conversation about how the power of truth can nourish the flame of freedom. Can the sacrifices of Russian dissidents and the courageous struggle of Ukrainians help to reverse the tide of propaganda and tyranny?
‘One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world.’ With this bold claim, Alexander Solzhenitsyn urged the world to confront the lies that feed oppression and violence. Join us on 26th February to reflect on what we have learned about the cost of lies, the cost of truth-telling, and the struggle for a peaceful, fear-free Russia.
Join us for Russia Past and Present: Tyranny and Truth, a special edition of IofC UK Insight, to hear Sophia Kayes in conversation with author and leading investigative journalist, Anastasia Kirilenko, a public speaker and a renowned campaigner for justice, Marina Litvinenko, and author and expert on soviet dissidents, Dr Philip Boobbyer. A special address to the audience recorded by Vladimir Kara-Murza, former political prisoner, will be screened at the event.
Please note this event is available to attend via ZOOM ONLY.
Understanding My Concerns and Finding My Focus (December)Are you feeling overwhelmed with what is going on in the world? Do you have decisions to make? Are there actions you might want to take?
Join Creators of Peace UK for this 90-minute session, offering a space for women to reflect on their daily concerns and work towards finding a focus in their days and weeks ahead. In these challenging times, we offer a space for personal reflection and direction.
The Balfour Project; Its Genesis and MissionDenis Nowlan, Executive Director of Initiatives of Change UK, will be in conversation with Monica Spooner, founder of the Balfour Project, and Andrew Whitley, its Chair. This is an opportunity to hear how a bold individual initiative can have national and international implications. We are marking the publication of Monica’s book; ‘Why Didn’t I Know? Britain’s Legacy in Palestine’. It charts her journey of discovery about Britain’s record in the Middle East which led to the formation of the Balfour Project, in a bid to change public opinion and policy on Israel and Palestine. Andrew Whitley will take up the story of the Project in the context of the current catastrophic conflicts.
‘Why Didn’t I Know? Britain’s Legacy in Palestine’ is available to purchase from our Online Shop.
This event is only available to attend via Zoom.
Emergent Future; A Brave New World
In our 5 days together we will engage with each other through panel discussions, keynote speakers, ample spaces for discourse, collective and personal reflection and envision directions for the future.
Why ‘Emergent’ in Emergent Future?
Emergent as a new idea that emerges in community and through dialogue that is far bigger than the sum of the people talking could ever hope to generate.
Emergent as an idea that is already inside us and finding space, through reflection/ introspection/inspiration in the five days to allow it to blossom.
Emergent as a place where we’re stuck at the edge and through collective seeking mourning and share hope for the new to emerge
Emergent as connecting with what is already there and what is absent, to allow for new and more collective solutions to take shape.
THEMES
What will you do?
Emergence: Be open, hold space for self discovery and participation leading to an inspired outcome
Reality: See myself clearly. During our early morning inner listening time, we introspect deeply and understand our deepest truths.
Hope: Listen openly to the stories of hope being shared, whether it is in the plenaries or in the smaller family groups, or weaving through conversation across the table at meal times.
Faith: Seek inspiration to take a personal leap of faith, what’s my next step? We have faith in the conversation we’ll have with each other
What will we (the collective) do?
Emergence: We’ll hold space for each other and interact to allow for the rise of reimagined emergent futures.
Reality: Listen, share and bear witness to the world’s realities. Acknowledge these truths and mourn together in community
Hope: Share and listen to stories of hope.
Faith: Build networks and connections, alignments and synergies with each other to bolster us to take leaps of faith. Hear stories of those who have already had the courage to do so!
Who is coming?
We will be a diverse group of people, representing both rural and urban communities from across the world. With the belief that transformation can be cross-disciplinary, we will bring together storytellers and changemakers of every kind— musicians, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, social justice workers…..
Programme Details:
Date: 22nd January to 27th January 2025
Cost (Inclusive of GST): ₹15,000 + ₹2,700 (GST@18%) = ₹17,700
This covers your accommodation and all meals.
Note: UPI/GPay and NEFT/Bank Transfer do not attract any convenience fee. All other payment methods will attract a Rs. 270/- convenience fee.
Venue: Asia Plateau, Panchgani
Asia Plateau is the education centre for Initiatives of Change India. Asia Plateau, for decades, has been a refuge for spirituality, inner listening and transformation, an incubator for envisioning inspired, collective and inclusive actions for self, community and the world.
About Asia Plateau & Panchgani:
Panchgani is located at an altitude of 1293 meters above sea level. This popular hill station is at a distance of 100 KMS from Pune and 280 KMS from Mumbai. You can reach Panchgani from either of these locations via public buses, private cars or cabs.
The Asia Plateau campus, just at the start of Panchgani town is a 68-acre campus. It is well-equipped with residential buildings, conference rooms, trees, gardens, forests and hills. The entire campus is strictly alcohol free and smoking free zone.
The weather is pleasant all year round, and light woollen clothes are recommended. We suggest you bring your walking shoes as well as rain gear along.
Click here for information on how to reach Asia Plateau.
Contact Details:
Email:- emergentfuture@iofc.org
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers – January Online Course
Around 1/4 of all people worldwide live in countries affected by conflict.
With this in mind, it’s time we started investing more in peacemaking.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers (QSP-online) is a course of five short modules, each based on a film about outstanding peacemakers and acts as an introduction to an approach to peacemaking that was developed by Frank Buchman, the founder of what is today known as Initiatives of Change. To unpack these various approaches, the five films below have been selected. Those which have trailers available have been linked.
A film about Frank Buchman himself. The facilitated analysis focuses on the principal phases in his life, from founding a hostel for street kids in the early 1900s; to creating an international network for moral and spiritual renewal; to contributing to reconciliation between France and Germany, as well as between Japan and the Philippines after the Second World War, for which he was decorated by their respective governments.
‘For the Love of Tomorrow’
Set in the international context, it takes a particular example of Buchman’s approach, which took place in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The analysis after the film focuses on the roles of four people including Buchman, who worked together to help an embittered French politician become a significant agent for post-war reconciliation with the Germans.
Set in a community in northern Nigeria divided by religious conflict, this film shows how a change of heart in individuals led to initiatives which had a far wider impact. It relates how two former rival militia leaders came together to train imams and pastors to mediate in flash points across the country and beyond. The analysis focuses on how the two men reconciled, and what the strategies they used in helping to bring about reconciliation in two key towns.
Sequel to the previous film, it focuses on healing ethnic conflict. ‘Here we see the imam and the pastor in Kenya after serious post-election violence in 2007-8, applying the mediation approach that they developed in Nigeria. After the film, participants will analyse the mediation process step by step.
In the period after the end of Apartheid and the multi-party elections, the South African Defence Force killed a group of black youths. A black guerrilla commander ordered a revenge shooting in which a white girl died. Some years later, the girl’s mother finds an opportunity to confront the guerrilla commander, and they speak of the painful realisations for both of them as they begin to journey together. The analysis will focus on the steps each took on that journey, and what they did together as a result.
The films show examples of reconciliation after conflict in a variety of contexts: inter-national, inter-religious, inter-ethnic and post-colonial. After an introduction and viewing of the film, participants take part in an interactive analysis facilitated by Dr Omnia Marzouk and/or Peter Riddell (see bios below). The main aim of the course is to absorb as much wisdom as possible about the healing of broken relationships from these remarkable stories, and to reflect on our own peacemaking.
Additional Information
On the morning of each module, you will receive direct links to the Zoom meeting, the film itself, and note sheets designed for your personal use while watching the film.
To enhance the course’s effectiveness, your feedback is invaluable. Following the final module, we kindly request you to complete an online evaluation form for our internal improvement efforts. With your permission, we may use some of your insightful quotes for publicity purposes, highlighting the impact of our program.
Upon attending all modules and submitting the evaluation form, you’ll be awarded a well-deserved Certificate of Completion. If life’s demands make you miss a module or two – you’re welcome to participate in a future course to catch up and still be eligible for the certificate.
We highly value individual preferences and circumstances. While we understand that some participants might prefer not to appear on video or might have bandwidth constraints, we encourage you to consider keeping your video on as it enhances the interactive experience and fosters meaningful connections among participants.
QSP is for anyone over the age of 18, in particular those who want to respond to past or present instability in their countries. Click here for a time-zone converter to see what time the course will be running from where you are. It aims to enrich their understanding of peace-making and stimulate new ideas for ways forward.
QSP is free of charge, but voluntary donations to extend the programme are appreciated.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers – September Online Course
Around 1/4 of all people worldwide live in countries affected by conflict.
With this in mind, it’s time we started investing more in peacebuilding.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers (QSP-online) is a course of five short modules, each based on a film about outstanding peacemakers and acts as an introduction to an approach to peacemaking that was developed by Frank Buchman, the founder of what is today known as Initiatives of Change. To unpack these various approaches, the five films below have been selected. Those which have trailers available have been linked.
A film about Frank Buchman himself. The facilitated analysis focuses on the principal phases in his life, from founding a hostel for street kids in the early 1900s; to creating an international network for moral and spiritual renewal; to contributing to reconciliation between France and Germany, as well as between Japan and the Philippines after the Second World War, for which he was decorated by their respective governments.
‘For the Love of Tomorrow’
Set in the international context, it takes a particular example of Buchman’s approach, which took place in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. The analysis after the film focuses on the roles of four people including Buchman, who worked together to help an embittered French politician become a significant agent for post-war reconciliation with the Germans.
Set in a community in northern Nigeria divided by religious conflict, this film shows how a change of heart in individuals led to initiatives which had a far wider impact. It relates how two former rival militia leaders came together to train imams and pastors to mediate in flash points across the country and beyond. The analysis focuses on how the two men reconciled, and what the strategies they used in helping to bring about reconciliation in two key towns.
Sequel to the previous film, it focuses on healing ethnic conflict. ‘Here we see the imam and the pastor in Kenya after serious post-election violence in 2007-8, applying the mediation approach that they developed in Nigeria. After the film, participants will analyse the mediation process step by step.
In the period after the end of Apartheid and the multi-party elections, the South African Defence Force killed a group of black youths. A black guerrilla commander ordered a revenge shooting in which a white girl died. Some years later, the girl’s mother finds an opportunity to confront the guerrilla commander, and they speak of the painful realisations for both of them as they begin to journey together. The analysis will focus on the steps each took on that journey, and what they did together as a result.
The films show examples of reconciliation after conflict in a variety of contexts: inter-national, inter-religious, inter-ethnic and post-colonial. After an introduction and viewing of the film, participants take part in an interactive analysis facilitated by Dr Omnia Marzouk and/or Peter Riddell (see bios below). The main aim of the course is to absorb as much wisdom as possible about the healing of broken relationships from these remarkable stories, and to reflect on our own peacemaking.
Additional Information
On the morning of each module, you will receive direct links to the Zoom meeting, the film itself, and note sheets designed for your personal use while watching the film.
To enhance the course’s effectiveness, your feedback is invaluable. Following the final module, we kindly request you to complete an online evaluation form for our internal improvement efforts. With your permission, we may use some of your insightful quotes for publicity purposes, highlighting the impact of our program.
Upon attending all modules and submitting the evaluation form, you’ll be awarded a well-deserved Certificate of Completion. If life’s demands make you miss a module or two – you’re welcome to participate in a future course to catch up and still be eligible for the certificate.
We highly value individual preferences and circumstances. While we understand that some participants might prefer not to appear on video or might have bandwidth constraints, we encourage you to consider keeping your video on as it enhances the interactive experience and fosters meaningful connections among participants.
QSP is for anyone over the age of 18, in particular those who want to respond to past or present instability in their countries. Click here for a time-zone converter to see what time the course will be running from where you are. It aims to enrich their understanding of peace-making and stimulate new ideas for ways forward.
QSP is free of charge, but voluntary donations to extend the programme are appreciated.