"It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it.
And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it."
Eleanor Roosevelt
Of course, it isn't enough just to quote great quotes, either. But one must start someplace. Figuring out where to start isn't always easy. For anyone who could use a helpful head start, we hope the following list gives you some ideas on how you can get involved in working toward peace.
50 Ways to Promote Peace works like a personal peace-participation planner. These peace-promoting ideas and activities cover a flexible range of topics and commitment levels, from the practically effortless, to the simply practical, to the powerfully proactive.
Check it out - who knows, you may already be promoting peace in ways you never really thought about before. You may already be a peace activist, doing things you "just do" . . . just because.
A few words about the website links & info-sources referenced here: We dont necessarily endorse all the info on these sites, but hope that the information and resources they offer add value to your peace-promoting efforts.
1. Vote. Voting is your hard-earned right and your official voice. For information about the democratic voting process, visit the Federal Election Commission or the Center for Voting and Democracy. 2. Register people to vote. One reason the political game's gone sour is that too few of us play. Find out more at Rock The Vote or Project Vote Smart.
3. Be a media guerilla. Use e-mail, fax, photocopies, and newsletters to broadcast the message of peace. Spread empowering information.
4. Teach young people about peace. Let your behavior reflect the values you want them to espouse.
5. Help bring peace to the environment by reducing your carbon load emissions. Learn what you can do at our global warming campaign site at www.onesweetwhirled.org.
6. Learn how to fight fairly. Fight to resolve differences, not to win.
7. Attend a peace rally. Check out United For Peace & Justice or Peace.Protest.net to find out about marches for peace around the country.
8. Explore your prejudices. Find out what's behind them, how they started, & how they influence your thoughts and actions.
9. Support organizations and/or campaigns that fight for basic human rights for all people. Social justice promotes peace. For a start, visit Global Exchange or Amnesty International.
10. Host a peace speaker at an event in your community or at your workplace.
11. Start peace conversations. Talking peace, and listening, are critical for a vibrant democracy.
12. Take part in online advocacy for peace. Some good sites to get started are 20/20 Vision and The Interfaith Alliance.
13. Get to know your neighbors. It's hard to reclaim peace without a sense of community.
14. Teach young people skills for non-violent conflict resolution. Learn about some great strategies from the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program for teachers, classrooms, parents, and students.
15. Involve yourself in community parent workshops and family groups that help parents protect, nurture, and support their children.
16. Learn about nuclear weapons from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Sign an appeal to end the nuclear threat. Visit the Nuclear Threat Reduction Campaign and WagingPeace.org.
17. Write a peace song. Peace songs are great tools for organizing and inspiring people.
18. Peace begins at home. Monitor, nurture, support, and involve your children and family in keeping peace.
18. Run for elective office. Be a voice for non-violent conflict resolution, reasoned sanity, and balance.
20. Make friends with someone of another race, ethnicity, age, ability, or sexual orientation. Appreciating and embracing diversity helps to promote peace.
21. Educate yourself about the violence threatening kids in your community and nationwide. Help bring safety and peace to kids at Children's Defense Fund and End Abuse.
22. Write letters and articles in support of peace and non-violence to the editors of your local media. Published, they can change minds, and even unpublished they can impact the media.
23. Spend time with a youngster. This can often remind us of the meaning of a peaceful world.
24. Practice the art of patience. Be careful not to rush to judgment or action.
25. Volunteer at your local battered women's shelter. Learn about the importance of non-violent conflict resolution.
