Peace Circles are the core component of the Creators of Peace programme.
This eight-week online peace circle will take place on Zoom on the following Mondays from 4:00pm – 6:00pm BST/GMT. Attending all sessions is necessary. The sessions will be held in English and via Zoom.
The Peace Circle is designed to flow from one gathering point to another so participants need to commit to all the sessions. The course is unique in that it also offers an opportunity for each participant to share their own story, which allows for self-empowerment and development of one’s peacemaking skills.
Peace Circles are facilitated in the style of a ‘talking circle’, where all voices are heard respectfully, and a safe space is established at the beginning of each session to allow individuals to explore diverse perspectives.
Peace Circles are free to join. If you are joining us from an organisation or business please consider donating. Peace Circles are subsidized by donations, grants and volunteers which allows them to continue to be delivered without charge.
At the end of a Peace Circle, we encourage contributions from participants as a way to ‘pay it forward’ so we can continue to offer all women the opportunity to participate in exploring their role as a peace creator.
Peace Circles are only open to women, including trans women, as a way of creating a safe space. Thank you for your respect and cooperation. Please note that all sessions are held on Zoom – we advise that you ensure your Zoom application, whether on desktop, browser, or mobile device, is the most current version. Please see Zoom Updates for more details.
Understanding My Concerns and Finding My Focus (February)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.
Refugees as Re-Builders™ Training ProgrammeAre you a settled refugee who wants to help rebuild your home country?
Do you find yourself wishing that NGOs and governments would do more?
As a refugee, you may be aware of the challenges faced by your diaspora and home communities. You’ve experienced these challenges first-hand, and you know exactly what’s needed.
Rather than hoping for top-down solutions, we believe that you can be the rebuilder that your community needs and we could provide you the capacity and tools to have an impact. Refugees as Re-Builders™ training is an ILM Assured capacity-building training programme which provides innovative, meaningful and relevant learning opportunities for settled refugees. Our training courses have been designed to strengthen the capability and expertise participants already possess as rebuilders, providing them with the resources and practical tools needed to help serve their communities and countries of origin.
|
|
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 – October 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.
IofC UK Insight: Something Borrowed, Something New: How a Faith Movement Spoke to a Secular Age
Join Denis Nowlan, Executive Director of IofC UK, in conversation with Dr Grace France as they discuss her research on the history of Moral Re-Armament (MRA), highlighting its significance as an innovative Christian movement that navigated the modern world and the changing, pluralistic landscape of religion.
Dr Grace France completed her PhD in Philosophy from University of Birmingham. Her research, ‘A New World Spelt Out in New Men’: Faith and Moral Re-Armament, c. 1920-1970, explores the beginnings and development of Moral Re-Armament’s unique style of faith in Twentieth Century Britain. From its theoretical influences, its devoted members, its mass-media campaigns, and its various critics, her research offers an overview of how Moral Re-Armament adapted its Christian faith to a changing Britain. Her previous research during her BA and MA in History at the University of Birmingham explored the rise and fall of a key feature of the permissive turn in Twentieth Century Britain – The Sun’s Page Three – which inspired her to turn during her PhD to the portion of British society who stood in opposition to such changes, ultimately leading her to Moral Re-Armament. Having been raised in a Catholic family, she felt it important to shed light on those individuals not currently represented enough in the history of Modern Britain: those who adapted and continued their faith long after the supposed era of 1960s permissiveness and secularisation.
This event will be hosted in London at IofC UK, SW1P 1RD. In-person spaces for this event are limited and we will be operating on a first come first served basis.
This event will also be livestreamed.
Caux Inner Development Goals
The Caux IDG Forum, taking place in Caux, Switzerland from 9 to 13 July 2024, aspires to inspire, equip, and connect individuals, groups, and organisations in the pursuit of constructing a just, peaceful, and sustainable world aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Caux IDG Forum is co-organised by Caux Initiatives of Change, Initiatives of Change International and the Inner Development Goals Foundation.
Leveraging the Inner Development Goals Framework and Initiatives of Change methodologies honed over 75 years, the forum provides a platform for participants from diverse backgrounds to collectively address contemporary challenges. Embraced within an atmosphere of trust, care, solidarity, and respect, the Caux IDG Forum encourages open and deep discussions, fostering self-reflection on how personal transformation can initiate broader and collective change.
We expect some 200 participants and speakers drawn from the Inner Development Goals and Initiatives of Change communities, civil society, government, youth movements, academia and business.
The Caux IDG Forum is by invitation only. Participants wishing to attend the forum should apply for an invitation via our online application form. Spaces are limited, so we strongly encourage you to apply early to secure your invitation. If your application is successful we will send you a link to register for the event within 14 days.
More information is available on the IofC Caux Foundation website.
Qualities and Strategies of Peacemakers – June 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 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.
IofC Insight: A Very Simple Secret with Judi Conner
Join IofC UK in welcoming author Judi Conner, speaking about her new book ‘A Very Simple Secret’, delving into the past of Moral Re-Armament (MRA).
During the Cold War years of the 1950s and ‘60s, Judi’s parents were on a mission to remake the world. To achieve this, the couple joined many others in giving up conventional careers and family life to work for MRA (now known as Initiatives of Change), an extensive global movement in its hey-day. Their life goal was to build a ‘hate-free, fear-free, greed-free world’.
Between the ages of four and twelve Judi stayed in a series of shared homes and boarding schools while her parents travelled, feeling uncertain where she belonged. Interweaving her unusual childhood memoir with her parents’ parallel story, Judi shares her unique insight into the MRA movement.
Register now to hear more about her book, A Very Simple Secret, and to learn more of the movement which swept across the globe, Moral Re-Armament.
Purchase your copy of A Very Simple Secret here
IofC UK Insight: Is peace possible in the Middle East?
The Middle East, particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict, remains one of the most enduring and complex challenges in international relations. As war rages in the Middle East and peace seems further away than ever before, understanding the multifaceted dynamics of this conflict is more crucial than ever.
Join us for our next IofC UK Insight: Is peace possible in the Middle East? This event will bring together a panel of esteemed experts who will share their perspectives on whether peace is achievable in the Middle East and what steps can be taken to move towards this goal. The event will be moderated by Dr Scherto Gill.
Guest speakers at the Panel Discussion include:
Dr Imad Karam
Dr Imad Karam is an award-winning peace activist. He is also the Executive Director of Initiatives of Change International, a global network of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, whose mission is to inspire, equip and accompany change-makers in the pursuit of a just and peaceful world. Imad was born in Gaza City, Palestine, where his parents and siblings currently live. Imad is also a trustee of the Balfour Project, a UK charity that aims to contribute to peace with justice, security and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis.
Dr Tony Klug
Tony Klug has written and lectured extensively about Israeli-Palestinian issues since the early 1970s when he first proposed the two-state idea as part of his doctoral thesis on the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Tony’s writings have appeared in scores of publications in more than a dozen countries. Tony has been a senior advisor on the Middle East to the Oxford Research Group and a consultant to the Palestine Strategy Group and the Israeli Strategic Forum. He worked at Amnesty International for many years and headed the international development programme.
Assad Chaftari
Assad served as a senior intelligence official in the Christian militia during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). In 1988 Assad met IofC and had a change of heart and has had no political commitment since 1994. He is now an Advisory Board member for Wahdatouna Khalsouna, a collection of NGOs working for civil peace in Lebanon. Assad co-created ‘Fighters for Peace’, an NGO of ex-civil warfighters working together for civil peace. In Since 2016, Assad has been a member of the Global Peace Builders Network and in 2018, Assad trained at Clingendael Institute about insider Mediation with UNDP.
Moderated by:
Dr Scherto Gill
Professor Scherto R. Gill is Director of Global Humanity for Peace Institute, University of Wales Trinity St David. She is also Senior Fellow at the Guerrand-Hermes Foundation, an international peace think-tank based in the Southeast of England; Life Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (FRSA), and a laureate of the 2022 Luxembourg Peace Award. She is Visiting Fellow and Associate Lecturer at the University of Sussex. Scherto directs the UNESCO Collective Healing Initiative, and she chairs the G20 Interfaith Forum‘s Education Working Group. Scherto is a board member of Spirit of Humanity Forum, and Rising Global Peace Forum.
This event will be hosted in London at IofC UK, SW1P 1RD. In-person spaces for this event are limited and we will be operating on a first come first served basis.
This event will also be livestreamed.
