Peace Organisations, Campaigns, Centres & Festivals

Ananda Marga

Ananda means "bliss" and Marga means "path." So Ananda Marga means "Path of Bliss." It is an optimal selection of techniques and practices that lead to the total experience of infinite peace and happiness – "self-realization."

As an organisation, Ananda Marga has a global network of centres in virtually every country of the world. Its activities encompass a wide range of projects for the welfare of humanity, animals, plants and the whole planet. These include yoga and meditation centers, schools, children’s homes, food distribution centers, disaster relief, medical centers and community development projects.  Its goal is the all-round elevation of human beings, both individually and collectively, in all spheres of human existence: individual, social, economic, intellectual and spiritual and is a total response to human longing and aspiration. 

Website: http://www.anandamarga.org/

---

Brighton Peace and Environment Centre

Is interested in encouraging reflection and debate about the interdependent and interrelated nature of all people and the planet. This also involves exploring our links to global issues in our daily lives. For many people this may also include what may be perceived as spiritual links - what it means to be human and to live on this earth.

Website: www.bpec.org

---

Earth Rights Institute

Based in Scotland  is dedicated to securing a culture of peace and justice by establishing dynamic worldwide networks of persons of goodwill and special skill, promoting policies and programs which further democratic rights to common heritage resources, and building ecological communities. 

Email: alanna@earthrights.net http://www.earthrights.net/

---

Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace

Founded in 2007 to provide educational opportunities and an international forum for understanding, experiencing, and participating in the rich diversity of the world’s spiritual traditions.

The activities of EICSP are educational in nature, ranging from international conferences, talks, dialogues, cultural and spiritual forums, networking and social gathering to places of spiritual significance locally, training sessions, times for reflection, media engagements, hospitality events, service events, community and library hosted events, arts and cultural events - including film, theatre, music, dance and movement, storytelling, poetry, visual arts, photography and many more!

The EICSP advances education of the public in Scotland, and elsewhere, concerning spirituality, culture and peace. 

Email: mesp2009@hotmail.co.uk
Website: http://www.eicsp.org/

---

Festival of Spirituality and Peace

In existence since 2005 and became a festival in its own right in 2007.   It is committed to the principles of creativity, inclusivity and dialogue and to modelling the dynamics of peacemaking: to sponsor the kind of conversations and encounters which need to happen in the wider world.  One of their aims is to establish an award for the Edinburgh Festival which has the best expressed humanity’s hopes for a peaceful future.

Email: info@festivalofspirituality.org.uk 
Website: http://www.festivalofspirituality.org.uk/index.html

---

Leamington Peace Festival

Aims to promote peace and equality between people and nations while living in harmony with the environment. The Festival is an opportunity for local artists, campaigners, community groups. It is self funded by donations from stallholders and run by a small group of volunteers who meet monthly from October to June. New members are always welcome to join.

Email: info@peacefestival.org.uk
Website: http://www.peacefestival.org.uk/

---

Peace Pledge Union

Has been campaigning for peace since 1934 and is the oldest secular pacifist organisation in Britain.

Email mail@ppu.org.uk
Website: http://www.ppu.org.uk/indexa.html

---

Peace Direct

Local peacebuilders to build lasting peace and aims to stop conflict and save lives. Their work is coherent and based on what they believe is needed. They support, promote and publicise the work of local peacebuilders, as they believe it is critical their message is heard and their knowledge shared.

Website: http://www.peacedirect.org/

---

Peace School

Seeks to survey the world through a Jesus-centred, Christian understanding of Shalom(peace).  The school aims to provide a welcoming environment for people of any background or faith who want to explore the rich and fulfilling understanding of the Christian vision of peace. 

Email: info@peaceschool.org.uk
Website: http://www.peaceschool.org.uk/

---

Peace Brigade International

Has been promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights since 1981. They believe that lasting transformation of conflicts cannot be imposed from outside, but must be based on the capacity and desires of local people. Their work is based on the principles of non-partisanship and non-interference in the internal affairs of the organisations they accompany. They are also an organisation that makes decisions by consensus.

Email: susibascon@peacebrigade.org.uk
Website: http://www.peacebrigades.org/

---

Peace Child International

Registered in the UK as an educational charity. They aim to empower young people to be the change they want to see in the world. They support young people around the world to produce books, musicals, educational materials, workshops and training courses on their major generational challenges such as climate change, peace, human rights, poverty, and sustainable development. 

Email: europe@peacechild.org
Website: http://www.peacechild.org/default.aspx?Group=home&Page=home

---

Peace Museum

Peace Museum in Bradford, explores the events and history of people and organisations that have worked to promote peace, non-violence and conflict resolution. It aims to help build a ‘culture of peace’ in the here and now.

Email: peacemuseum@bradford.gov.uk
Website: http://www.peacemuseum.org.uk/

---

Peacejam

Aims to bring young people together with Nobel Peace Laureates to tackle the toughest issues to do with the planet, such as basic needs, access to water, basic rights, social justice and human security. Their mission is to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody.

Email: info@peacejam.org 
Website: http://www.peacejam.org/home.aspx

---

Spirit of Peace

Jane Ozanne of Spirit of Peace writes: ‘Spirit of Peace was set up in 2008, and is a rapidly developing UK based charity, with a heartfelt vision to foster greater peace and equality in our global society. We work with renowned international peace partners, towards the creation of a culture of nonviolence and peace. The main thrust of our peace work is in the UK, with a special focus on peace in The Middle East. Our work is people-centred and heart-centred, recognising that, in the words of Mahatma Gandhi: ‘We must be the change we wish to see in the world’. This is a challenging prospect, but every step we take towards peace is significant, however small. Many people, on experiencing our work and events, describe these as transformational and life-changing. Work includes restoring hope that peace is possible, through visits from our international partners and supporting the work of international peace-builders to bring about nonviolent solutions in areas of conflict, especially the Middle East and raising public awareness of positive initiatives.

Website: http://www.spiritofpeace.co.uk/

 

---

The Good Retreat Guide

Retreats – the Good Retreat Guide by Stafford Whiteaker is online and also a publication where you will find dozens of places to find peace and spiritual renewal all over Europe and beyond. Interesting, wonderful, different, and exciting places to relax, explore your inner awareness, and practice your spiritual beliefs. You can also read about going on a retreat, about different kinds of spiritual practices, how to meditate, and much more.

Website: The Good Retreat Guide

---

The Brighton Peace and Environment Centre

The Brighton Peace and Environment Centre -  aims to raise awareness and understanding of social justice, peace, sustainable development and environmental protection matters by providing information, education and positive practical solutions to global problems.

Email: info@bpec.org
Website: http://www.bpec.org/

---

Foundation for Peace

The Tim Parry, Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace - promotes the understanding, management and non violent resolution of conflict and is a British based charity created by the parents of 12 year old Tim Parry and supported by the parents of 3 year old Johnathan Ball.  The foundation works with young people and children, victims of political violence, and former military and paramitary combatants, including former adversaries.

Email: info@foundation4peace.org
Website: www.foundation4peace.org

---

The Valentine Peace Project

The Valentine Peace Project is a developing social enterprise which aims to bring a deeper purpose to the trading of flowers - connecting individuals, communities and businesses to the creative work of peace.The Project began more than five years ago as a larger themed Valentine's Day – spreading thousands of personal peace poems in the US, Belgium, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands with flowers from Zimbabwe, Kenya, England, the Netherlands, and Palestine.  We have also begun to share poems and flowers in September for the UN International Day of Peace. We will design and develop new breeds – including a Valentine Peace tulip – wrapped in personal poetry: Planting community peace poetry gardens; generating a fundraising tool for international peace organisations; and assisting emerging Fairtrade, conflict and post-conflict flowers and agriculture.

www.valentinepeaceproject.org Federico Hewson is Director of the Valentine Peace Project (VPP) working towards a social enterprise focused on the nexus of the flower trade, art and personal expression with the work of peace in the world.

Website: http://www.thevpp.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/elements-of-valentine-peace.html

---

University of Bradford

University of Bradford - has the world’s largest university centre for the study of peace and conflict. The Department has a staff and student body of more than 400 people and a world-class reputation for peace research. Courses on peace studies can be found through this university where students can gain an understanding of the emergence, nature and significance of Peace Studies as a distinct field of academic enquiry.

Email: ssisugadmissions@bradford.ac.uk
Website: http://www.brad.ac.uk/external/

---

Wake Up London

Wake Up London is a group (sangha) of young people who want to heal and transform their society, because we know that each of us has the capacity to live in an awakened way, to a lead a life in harmony with one another and with the earth. We are inspired by the teachings of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and meet twice a month for Afternoons of Mindfulness and organize meditation flash mobs in Central London. We welcome young people aged 16 to early 30s to practice with us in our Afternoons on Mindfulness. http://wkuplondon.org/about/

---