Good News

Youth and Nobel Peace Laureates working together to change the world.

“The mission of the PeaceJam Foundation is to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world, through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody."  PeaceJam is built on three simple ideas, ‘Education,’ ‘Inspiration’ and ‘Action,’ starting with education, as the students participate in PeaceJam Programmes focusing on the lives of the Nobel Peace Laureates. Programmes stimulate and celebrate individuality, build skills in leadership and non-violence, and promote personal reflection and growth, looking at exploration of the issues that affect communities – both locally and globally. Education is followed up by Inspiration, which comes from meeting the Nobel Laureates, connecting with other people working on projects for their communities. The young people get to know each Nobel Peace Laureate on a very personal level – with each story emphasizing the Laureates choice to stand up for social justice, human rights, non-violence, and peace. After being completely and utterly inspired, Jammers get out of their seats and into the streets to begin the change! They get to work by taking on Peace Jam's Global Call to Action - an ambitious campaign to create and track ONE BILLION projects addressing ten of the most pressing issues facing our world.

PeaceJammers from The Westwood School Coventry had the amazing opportunity to meet President Jose Ramos Horta this weekend, at the annual PeaceJam conference held at Bradford University. They were truly inspired and in awe of the President, who empowered the students with stories of his life. Students from the school were outstanding and as Balbir K Sohal, from Coventry Corporate Training Centre commented; “they were not only a credit to the school but also to Coventry, and it has been a privilege and also a pleasure to have worked with them over the weekend, they were marvellous.”  Coventry Local Authority has supported PeaceJam for five years now and Coventry schools are given the opportunity to get on board with PeaceJam every year and this is an opportunity that should be seized with both hands. The students at The Westwood School have returned from PeaceJam eager to promote and continue the amazing work that is being shared across the world. They have become PeaceJam ambassadors and have shown not only the ability to infect others with their enthusiasm and knowledge, but also an amazing sense of individuality, strength of character and absolute dedication to what they believe in.

In the words of Desmond Tutu “It seemed like a crazy idea at the time, but it has gained an incredible kind of momentum and it has made a huge, huge difference in the lives of many young people by giving them hope and direction.” One person really can make a difference, and PeaceJam has proven it repeatedly by empowering young people to become agents of change, all over the world.