1. Promoting Peace

2. An Introduction to Promoting Peace
Peace is a most fundamental asset to community building, to personal growth, and to the very survival of our planet. At the heart of many faiths, practices, and cultures, advancing peaceful co-existence is essential to ensuring productive, meaningful lives and sustainable societies.

3. Definition
On an individual level, peace may start with having calmness within oneself.
Expanding outward, peace entails agreement and harmony among people.
At its largest scale, peace is to live without violent conflict or war.

4. The Importance of Peace to Community Building
Peace enriches our communities and individual lives, as it directs us to embrace diversity and support one another to the fullest extent possible.
Can our families and communities thrive without mutual support and peace with our neighbors?
Can peaceful communities exist without attention to justice and equity?
What would be the prospects of a world without peace?

5. Situations Favoring the Promotion of Peace
Detection and Action
Discover and Assess
Focus and Commit
Build and Launch
Evaluate and Maintain
Contexts for Promoting Peace
When Defining Community
When Strengthening Policies and Initiatives
When Others in the Community Fall under Our Care

6. Situations Favoring the Promotion of Peace
Steps in Developing and Promoting Peace
Finding Peace Within
Ensuring Peace within Families
Living Peaceably with Others
Seeking Reconciliation

7. Advancing Peace in Community Building
Working with Neighbors
Interfaith Events
Peace Gatherings
Working with Schools
Bullying
Restorative Justice
Youth as Leaders
Committing Your Organization or Business
Community Civic Leadership

8. Advancing Peace in Community Building
Community Civic Leadership (cont.)
Some examples of community initiatives that exemplify peace-building in innovative ways
Community Safety
Restorative Justice
Mass Violence
Terrorism
Mental Illness
Firearms Safety
Gang Violence
Peace Commissions
Sister Cities

9. Preventing War and Terror: Merging Realism with Hope
Conflict Resolution
Strengthening Civil Societies
Committing to Nonviolence
Educating for Peace
Investing in Peace
Emerging Issues

10. Challenges and Questions for Reflection
Fear
Ignorance
Hatred
Greed
Reflection Questions
Is everyone in the affected community represented?
Who drives decisions?
What are the outcomes of your efforts?
How Can Challenges and Issues be Addressed?

11. In Summary
In our media and entertainment, as well as in our political spheres, we are surrounded by those who emphasize sensationalism and violence.
Promoting peace is not a solitary activity.
Extending the principles and the practice of peace to others can guide us to a richer, more secure coexistence.