What sort of a future dare we imagine for Afghanistan and its people? If we step beyond the confines of the Western democratic project, of political Islam or other similar totalising ideological projects, what could Afghanistan become? Join our all-Afghan panel as we ask one of the most pressing questions of the day. The initially relatively peaceful […]
We take for granted the right to publish and say whatever we want but that’s not a given in so many places. Around the world writers are persecuted for courageously pursuing their craft. PEN International works to protect them and to free them from prison. In this lively conversation you’ll learn about and hear the work […]
WILPF is presenting a conversation about the value of the National Action Plans that meet the UN Resolution 1325+. These Action Plans are calling for attention to help women have a voice and the security they need to be able to flourish in their community. Panel speakers: Barbara O’Dwyer, WILPF Canberra Barbara O’Dwyer has a […]
We'd love you to drop in to mingle and chat with other Festival attendees. Share your stories and hopes for a peaceful future and yarn about what you have experienced in the Festival so far. Get a ticket now or just drop in - we will share the links to all Festival attendees. There […]
Launched in 1991, Creators of Peace is just one of several transformational programs of Initiatives of Change www.au.iofc.org/creators-of-peace, a global network of men and women from many different nations, cultures and religions active across more than 50 countries, all working for a peaceful, just and sustainable world, based on the principle that ‘Change starts with […]
‘Rosemary’s Way’ of Connection Hear the background story of the film ‘Rosemary’s Way’ …how for two decades, Rosemary Kariuki has helped refugee women in Sydney’s west, escape domestic violence, financial distress, isolation and integration into Australian life. Rosemary, the 2021 Australian Local Hero of the Year, is the centre of this emotional and intimate documentary […]
Permaculture is a wholistic approach and can be an influence on creating community and recovering from trauma. For years Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute has been teaching its course in war-torn or recovering countries - as a peace tool towards a culture of Peace. The results from Viet Nam, Cambodia and more recently Afghanistan (until this […]
Knitting Nannas presents 'Give Peace a Dance' The Knitting Nannas is a non-violent activist group, involved in revealing truths to motivate Australian citizens and politicians to take action resolving climate change. You don't need to be a nanna or knit to get involved in uplifting activities towards a positive solution. Join us to learn how […]
Peacebuilding takes many forms. Across the Pacific and Asia, thousands of people and organisations dedicate themselves to preventing violence, negotiating peace and confronting the physical and human legacies of past conflict. In this session, hosted by Peacifica, we will hear from people working in the region and in Australia to build peace in both familiar […]
Facilitated by Tim Costello AO, this panel will explore how new approaches are required to address the climate crisis, and the challenges it creates to peace and security. The discussion should cover the impact of the climate crisis; the military’s contribution to Greenhouse Gas Emissions; the military response to the crisis, and the implications of […]
Join us for a lively, interactive discussion on what can be learned from successful grassroots peacebuilding strategies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond. The panel will base their discussion on “The Frontlines of Peace: An Insider’s Guide to Changing the World” by Séverine Autesserre. This book was launched in Australia on September 22, […]
International Volunteers for Peace presents a short film of interviews with returned volunteers showing how the experience opened their eyes and hearts. IVP is a member of two International Voluntary Service networks, a movement that began after the first world war in an effort to avert another such catastrophe ever happening again. Our founder, Pierre […]
In response to the growing awareness of the need for more widespread peace education at all levels, we started with a vision, within our own immediate context, ‘that students and educators in all Christian schools in Australia and New Zealand, of any denomination, will be able to learn about, experience and be invited to live a […]
How can young people work for peace in their everyday life? ‘Peace’ can seem a daunting and intangible concept located in the realm of academia and global policies, with little practical relevance to our daily lives. Yet, young people across Australia are finding ways to incorporate peace into their daily lives, their social relationships and […]
Marlene Cummins: Musician / Artist / Actor / Broadcaster / Story Teller and a Proud Guguyelandji and Woppaburra Woman. Marlene was born in the southwest Queensland town of Cunnamulla, and spent her formative years in Winton growing up under the cloud of the Aboriginal Protection Act of the 1950s and 60s. Marlene had a ‘grassroots’ […]
At a time of escalating global crises, a peaceful world has never seemed more important, or felt so far away. But as the Raising Peace festival has shown, Australians are doing so much good work in the cause of peace, from First Nations justice to anti-nuclear advocacy to environmental activism and countless acts of grassroots […]
We'd love you to drop in to mingle and chat with other Festival attendees. Share your stories and hopes for a peaceful future and yarn about what you have experienced in the Festival so far. Get a ticket now or just drop in - we will share the links to all Festival attendees. There […]
We started our long weekend of looking for alternatives to Australia's increased militarisation to achieve security for all by listening to First Nations perspectives, taking in the Frontier Wars, Aboriginal Diggers, Blackbirding and the impacts of violence on the Gadigal people. The Gadigal of the Eora Nation and their neighbouring clans were the first to […]
The theme for the second day of Raising Peace’s ANZAC weekend (Sunday April 24) was "Alternatives to Australia's security narrative". Mainstream discussion of the nation’s security is usually limited to talking about defence and the best ways of ‘defending’ Australia, militarily. The most recent manifestation of this approach to security has been the announcement of […]
Our long weekend of peace concluded with discussions of alternative ways forward. We were honoured to have as speakers Professor John Langmore AM, Chair of the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne and Alison Brionowski AM, former diplomat, author and President of Australians for War Powers Reform. John and Alison discussed the role […]
Scrap AUKUS, no war on China: 1 year anniversary rally and vigil The Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition is holding a protest and candlelight vigil to mark one year since the Scott Morrison government signed the AUKUS military pact with the U.S. and UK governments. It is more important than ever to oppose AUKUS and […]
Over many years Australian First Nations people have worked tirelessly for recognition and justice. In 2022 their hopes have taken a huge step forward as the new Federal Government has committed to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, starting with enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. This is an opportunity for all […]
Our panel discussion follows up on the film Mothers of the Revolution. The panelists were at the Greenham Common protest and will talk about their memories and the impact this momentous event had on them. The Director will also join us. We encourage you to watch the film at home before this session. See below […]
Practicing Peace: Theology, Contemplation, and Action How do we integrate head, heart and hands in our practice of peace in the everyday life of family, workplace, and community? This is a question which Michael Wood, an Anglican Priest, coach and facilitator, explores in his book, “Practicing Peace: Theology, Contemplation and Action”. Although Michael has written […]
This is an interactive workshop to gain insights into how narratives can disrupt or contribute to peace building. As individuals, as communities and as cultures we are impacted by the stories we tell ourselves and each other, and we pass on to future generations. These accumulate to become the global narratives in which we all […]
The next steps towards the abolition of nuclear weapons. The Labor Party agreed to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) while in opposition but has not yet done so. What is ICAN doing and what can we do to make this happen? Australian ICAN delegates were at recent global conferences: in […]
When AUKUS was announced in 2021, its stated intent was the protection and preservation of the existing order. However, many experts have called this into question. It is now viewed by many as a challenge to stability and peace for Australia and the region. Today’s discussion brings together proponents of peace from the three nations […]
The Pacific islands face an increasing number of challenges in today's world, but Pacific people are not helpless. Climate change, geopolitics, increasingly authoritarian governments, the legacy of past war and the ongoing work of decolonisation are just some of the threats that Pacific people face - but they are standing up. In the climate crisis […]
The war in Ukraine has woken the world up to the increasing threat of war. Violent conflict has never disappeared entirely, but for decades it has been happening out of sight, and the consequences have been remote. Today, the Ukraine war has brought violence to Europe and the threat of war has never seemed more […]
NATIONAL DAY OF COMPASSION Live Event - 21 September 2022, 8-9 AM, followed by other events through the day Click the 'Listen Deeply' image to download the full brochure for the Day of Compassion.The theme for this year’s National Day for Compassion is Deep Listening Our Live Event will start the National Day from 8am to 9am Wednesday, 21 September […]
The 55th session of the General Assembly of theUnited Nations designated 21 September as the International Day of Peace. To celebrate this day, you are cordially invited to join an Interfaith Prayer Service. On Wednesday 21 September 2022 at 11am at Knox Cultural Centre, Knox Grammar School, 2 Borambil Street, Wahroonga 2076 (a stone’s throw […]
Learning Through Our Shared Contributions Our embryonic Australian Network of Museums for Peace (ANMP) provides the prospect, from various perspectives, for people and groups to share their respective legacies – collective and personal – relative to peace endeavours, and even for shared contributions beyond this most relevant field. Dr Anne Noonan and Dr Sue Wareham […]
As part of the 2022 Raising Peace Festival, on the International Day of Peace 21st September, former peacekeeper, Major General Tim Ford, AO (Retired), Vice President UNAA (NSW) will present on the 75th Anniversary of Australian Peacekeeping and the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial. To mark the 75th Anniversary of Australian Peacekeeping on the 14th September, a national […]
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. We all have a role to play in fostering peace. In the face […]
Please click on the image or here, to register. Our panel discussion follows up on the film Mothers of the Revolution. The panelists were at the Greenham Common protest and will talk about their memories and the impact this momentous event had on them. The film director Briar March, from New Zealand will also […]
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world in September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. But achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of […]
Pro-planet, anti-militarist, life affirming assembly to disrupt the biggest weapons fair in the southern hemisphere. Tuesday October 4 is the opening day of Brisbane's Land Forces Expo. All the arms dealers, government reps and trade delegations will be there, doing the deals and networking for dispossession and destruction of lives and ecosystems. Land Forces offers […]
As 2023 begins, there has been a lot of drum-beating recently about the supposed inevitability of a war with China. But this is not the only perspective on the present situation! Raising Peace members the Marrickville Peace Group and Independent and Peaceful Australia Network are hosting an event at Marrickville Town Hall (and on live […]
Raising Peace ANZAC workshop 2023 22 April 2023 As Australia positions itself for future conflicts, many of us feel outraged and helpless. But this need not be so. The right language, tools and actions can empower us, get our leaders to listen and bring about change. On the ANZAC weekend as we remember those who […]