Peace is key to human life. In order to thrive-peace is needed everywhere. It is not merely the absence of war or even a general sense of security and freedom. Peace is complex, relational, and multifaceted. It begins in the womb, where a child is first nourished and imbued with a knowledge of peace. This knowledge moves out into the world with the child, and in turn nourishes the community into which the child is born

The peace of any home, any community, any nation depends upon the knowledge of peace instilled in its children at the earliest stages of their development. The proliferation of technology and mass media – television, movies, social media, etc. – mean that children are more vulnerable than ever to conflicting messages about peace and violence.

A child who has no knowledge of peace, who has instead absorbed messages of violence, is likely to pass these messages on to other children, whether in person or through media platforms like video games and chat rooms. Violence is transmitted like a virus. It passes through the screen and lodges firmly in the minds of vulnerable youth. Our core mandate is to disrupt this viral spread of violence among youth, harnessing the international “four P’s of Peace” – Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare.

Through our Mother’s Projects Initiative, we examine the fundamental issues that affect children’s upbringing. The Peace Institute identifies and cultivates community leaders, harnessing their knowledge and empowering them to act on their values to spread peace in their communities and around the world.