The Peace Education Network meets periodically to share approaches and ideas from our wonderful members. Some of these presentations are recorded here.

Life Above Coal

London Mining Network (Spring 2023)

How can we teach about the impact of mega mining in a humane way? Adivasi people are resisting the mega mining that threatens their way of life and the Hasdeo Forest.  Kerima Mohideen of London Mining Network joins us to provide this collaborative teaching workshop.

We will start by looking at a typical cross section of the earth and through reading, drawing, discussion and short films raises deeper questions about what is missing and why.

This activity, based on the lives and experiences of communities who have been resisting coal mining for decades, highlights what is at stake for people on the frontlines of defending against the climate emergency. Kerima will use an Indian case study about nonviolent Indigenous (Adivasi) resistance to coal mining in the Hasdeo forest. The Adivasi people are campaigning against a mine run by Adani, which was recently reported as the coal mine that ate an Indian village. LMN have also been working with the Fossil Free Science Museum Coalition to demand that the Science Museum drop sponsorship from Adani.

Suitable for teaching KS 2 - 5 and adults. 

About London Mining Network

London Mining Network (LMN) is an alliance of human rights, development, environmental and solidarity groups.

What we do: We work with communities harmed or threatened with harm by companies listed on the London Stock Exchange or with other London connections

Peace, pacifism and conscientious objection in children's literature

Rosemary Rich (Autumn 2022)

In this workshop, we first considered the memory of conscientious objection in Second World War Britain. Conscientious objectors, and the substantial peace movement that nurtured them, have been largely omitted from the public memory of the war, as they do not fit with the dominant narrative of Britain’s ‘finest hour’. Peace education has an important role to play in resurrecting these significant chapters of our national history and challenging dominant narratives, to show that alternative views are justified. 

In the second half, we looked at cultural representations of Second World War conscientious objection in UK children’s literature. Drawing on a very small selection of children’s books published on the topic, we assessed the merits of such texts and highlight themes that can be used as a catalyst for wider discussions around peace, pacifism and war resistance both past and present.  

About Rosemary Rich

Rosie Rich is a doctoral researcher at the University of Brighton, looking at Second World War conscientious objection in Britain.  She has taught at King’s College London and the University of Brighton, and conducted historical research for TV and podcasts. Rosie is currently on a work placement with the Peace Education team at Quakers in Britain.  

challenging identity based violence

Protection Approaches

Dilia Zwart and Szymon Glowacki of Protection Approaches share how they explore and challenge identity based violence with young people. Find out more about their work at ProtectionApproaches.org 

using case studies of people taking action

Journey to Justice

In this skill share from Autumn 2021, Martin Spafford shares two projects, the Economic [In]Justice project and the amazing online exhibition showcasing nonviolent action stories.

https://journeytojustice.org.uk/ | Online exhibition: https://jtojhumanrights.org.uk/ 

Peace Education for action and impact

World Beyond War

In this skillshare for the Peace Education Network in Autumn 2021, Phil Gittins of World Beyond War describes a truly global programme for Peace Education and Action for Impact.