Peace in the UK: Peacemakers
Feed the Minds’ Peacemakers project strives to build peace here at home, just as we support education for peace and reconciliation in many poor countries abroad. Peacemakers is steaming ahead. We have recently completed the full set of media materials which include:
• Three short viral commercials challenging common stereotypes and misperceptions;
• The music video featuring the lyrics of a popular song by the group Faithless;
• The Film about Faith profiling three people – Christian, Muslim and secular – talking about their lives and beliefs; and
• Peacemakers – a documentary exploring the art of peacemaking at home and abroad.
All of these materials are available for viewing at www.peacemakers.tv
Peacemakers seems to be ever more relevant as public debates around the separation of Christian and Muslim communities in the UK have dominated the headlines in recent months.
We believe that increased understanding builds connections and opens the doors to relationships, which in turn makes conflict less likely.
We have worked in consultation with various key Christian and Muslim stakeholders to develop these materials. At a London screening of some early cuts of the films in September this year, we received very positive feedback from Muslims and Christians alike.
In March 2007, we will be launching an educators’ resource pack to assist educators and group facilitators who want to use the Peacemakers materials. Finally, a photographic exhibition portraying ordinary peacemakers at home and abroad will open in the spring of 2007.
Peacemakers receives high profile endorsements
The Peacemakers project has been endorsed by the Anglican Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright and by Professor Mona Siddiqui, Director of the Centre for the Study of Islam at Glasgow University. In a short film produced for peacemakers, Bishop Tom comments, “We will be planting seeds [through Peacemakers], from which there will grow all sorts of new possibilities which could change individuals and society and, to a measure, the world.” To view the film featuring Bishop Tom and Professor Siddiqui, go to www.peacemakers.tv
