Peace Research

For nearly two decades, the GHFP has been exploring key concepts related to peace and peace-building in both post-conflict and divided societies and societies in general. Throughout, for example, in our Garden of Forgiveness project, the Healing the Wounds of History programmes, newly launched research into dialogue, as well as within the narrative strand of our work, we have been concerned with seeking new understanding and clarification of important notions, theories and methodologies of peace-building. The GHFP also developed a Five-Step Peace Process, Forgiveness as a Peace Process and the Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation. In 2013, GHFP initiated the 'Peace Seminar Series' that invite speakers and contributors from around the world to present and dialogue on relevant topics within the broad theme of Peace. Finally, the research team has continued to explore the notion of peace, striving to achieve greater understanding of this concept in a more holistic and integral way.

International Dialogue series on Peace and Peacefulness

As part of the Spirit of Humanity Forum’s activities, the GHFP and partners are proposing a three-part dialogue series in order to explore the nature of peace and how to apply this understanding in the process of creating a global culture of peacefulness.

The first dialogue was hosted by the GHFP in December in East Sussex, England. This dialogue was specifically concerned with building structural peace and took our innate peacefulness as a given. Therefore the focus was on the structures, systems and institutional cultures required to bring about a common political vision of peace as well as on identifying particular practices of peace and peacefulness which could lead to the transformation of individuals and communities internationally and globally.

The second dialogue, held at the Fetzer Institute in June 2016 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA, explored the nature of peacefulness from its spiritual dimension and consider the realities within a given local context, such as communities, that might support the practice of peacefulness. A distinct theme is transformation through a spiritual pathway and how it might inspire us to live our lives from the inside out in more peaceful ways and towards a global transition from separation and fear to interconnection, oneness and love.

The third dialogue is planned to take place in October 2016 in Reykjavik as part of the inaugural seminar of Reykjavik Centre for Peace and the celebration of 30th anniversary of Regan and Gorbachev meeting in Reykjavik. It will seek to investigate into governance features and international policies of a peaceful state. Important questions, such as 'How might we express the spiritual depths of peacefulness within a systemic context, such as a city or a nation?' and 'What are the criteria for a city or a nation and its institutions to be deservedly counted as peaceful?’ will to be posed in this dialogue to understand political processes, including the responsibilities of individuals, institutions and communities, that contribute to the collective intention of peace.