Peace Power

Peace Power helps young people to discover their power to bring about peace. It is a program of one month in which young people will learn how to become a peacebuilder by volunteering several days a week and following workshops (a whole weekend+ 3 Fridays), taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Why Peace Power?
The main challenge we are facing today is that we as humanity are on a crossroad where we can choose to coninute with the violent practices that have brought about enormous destruction of Mother Earth and all its beings - including our selves;human beings- OR we make a shift to more peaceful, sustainable and cooperative ways of being on this planet. More and more people realize this, but some still do not quite get the extend of change that is needed. Others do not know how THEY can play a part in it. We need to train our "peace muscles" múúúch more if we want to change direction and not drive off the cliff to which we seem to be heading. Young people are thirsty to get new tools and perspectives. That is why this program is so necessary!
The workshops provide a systemic perspective on our world and zoom-out to examine direct, structural and cultural violence. It offers nonviolent methods for opposing violence and injustice and for building just and peaceful alternatives. With this framework and its tools—principles, models, stories, strategies, methods and tactics of active nonviolence—participants will be able to address the specific social issues in their communities. Participants are encouraged to find their own passion for change.

Short Project Description
The mission of "peace power" is to actively involve young people from different background in developing systemic, cultural and direct practices to change the direction of destruction to one of peace & nonviolence to all beings and the planet, based on the understanding that our survival and well-being is inter-connected.

This is why I am organizing a month long training and practice program in which about 10 young people from across the globe will:
•   gain practical skills to become effective peacebuilders in their local communities, as well as internationally;

•   gain knowledge and understanding of the necessary elements of developing a culture of peace and nonviolence;

•  immerse themelves in volunteering to get hands-on working experience;

•  get various input and inspiration from people thathave different backgrounds, thereby expanding their capability to look at things from different angles and appreciate differences. 

Why Crowdfund?
With this crowd-funding campaign we want to collect money to cover the travel costs of participants from outside of Europe who need assistance and cannot make it without support.

Amount and time line: The amount stated here (2,200) is an estimation of the travel costs. Tickets will be around 300 to 500 Euro per peson. We are aiming to collect this amount by the 1st week of July, but will let the campaign run until the start of the program, to make the most out of it. Any donation is welcome.
Please share with your friends and spread the word!

For more information visit http://towardsanonviolentworld.org/peace-power/

Biographies of the participants

There are 10 participants from Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey, Albania, and Greece. Some of them need support with their travel cost, and they introduce themselves here for you!

Merna (21) Egypt
"I hope to participate in the Peace Power program because I want to learn peacebuilding and how my community can live without violence, war, and fighting, as well as how I can feel peace inside of me. Attending this program is one of my dreams! Thank you for supporting me!"

Rapheal Otobohu (33) - a Senior facilitator with Adult Literacy and Non-Formal Education, Esan West Local Government council Ekpoma Nigeria.
"I am so glad to be selected to attend the upcoming Peace program! My focus is to learn more about the importance of peace, peaceful coexistence and ways I could contribute to achieving this in my community in particular and my country in general on my return from the program."

Ehizojie Idemudia Endurance (24) - a Senior Instructor with the Department of Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, Esan West Local Government Council Nigeria.
"I am deeply honored to be invited to represent my Government and the local community at the forthcoming peace Program in Greece. I am particularly excited as the program would equip me for the task of community and human capacity building. I do hope to be better equipped too for a leadership role as I currently hold a position with the future prospect of being ahead of a larger organization. I can't wait to be there."

Mohamed Abdelgawad (25) Egypt
"I believe that taking part in Peace Power will be a true learning experience, which enhances my professional skills and competences. I want to explore the concept of culture of peace and nonviolenceand develop my competences in line with my values and attitudes. It is a great opportunity to meet new people, share ideas and share best practices. "

Admir Hoxha, (24) Albania
"I do my master studies on international relations, because I want to understand how cultural diplomacy, geopolitics, economic diplomacy etc. work. I believe diplomats must understand the feelings and needs of ordinary people. If all the world's diplomats will volunteer for at least one month each year, sitting down with ordinary people, the world would have more peace and happiness! I want to take part in Peace Power because true peace in the world comes, in my opinion, from people helping others without profit and with sincerity."

Rishad Azizi (25) - Civil Engineer, Turkey
"It will be my pleasure to participate the peace power program in Thessaloniki, to get the experience of the program and meeting participants from different countries. Attending the peace power program for me means sharing my ideas, thoughts and learning and listening to others. I will share my experiences from growing up in Afghanistan, and other countries I lived in. I look forward to the group work and discussions."

Theodora Kakaroudi (21) - Greece
"I am so glad that I was selected for this program. Being trained on non-violent communication and peacebuilding techniques is something that our societies lack, leading to war, racism and sexism. This program can really help both the participants to take a step forward, while at the same time ameliorating the inequalities of the world."

Also part of the program: Sotiria Natsiopoulou (Greece), and Ayat Khalaf (Egypt)


Biography of organizer
Nina Koevoets developed her own training course "Towards a Nonviolent World", inspired by a 10 week long program in Nonviolence from the Metta Center (USA, 2009), and the work of Pace e Bene. She has finished a Study Guide  “Engaging Nonviolence Activating Nonviolent Change in Our Lives and Our World” for Pace e Bene that is to be published in September 2019. She has two master degrees: in Conflict Resolution and Governance (2006-7) and in Global Studies (2011-13). At the latter university she also completed an internship with the Resistance Study Group. She did internships at several NGOs, for which she lived in Palestine and India and volunteered as a workshop facilitator for two Dutch NGOs between 2008-10. She lived in 7 different countries and traveled all over Europe and in Asia, speaks several languages (though not fluent) and loves cultural diversity.