Peace among the Peoples - 23 May 2011

Tree planting

As a symbolic act a number of trees were planted at the end of each morning's Bible studies.

Panel discussion on Peace among the Peoples

From left: Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik, Dr Christiane Agboton-Johnson, Archbishop Avak Asadourian, Dr Lisa Schirch and Dr Patricia Lewis.

Dr Christiane Agboton-Johnson

Dr Christiane Agboton-Johnson, deputy director of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), is a former civil society leader of women's and church-related initiatives in West Africa.

Security or peace?

Governments tend to attempt to justify large-scale military action – at its worst, nuclear warfare – in the name of “security,” pointed out Dr Lisa Schirch, professor of peace-building at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., United States. “Jesus doesn't use the word 'security.' The language of the church is much more about justice and peace than about security,” she said.

Workshop

Workshop on "Healing Trauma, Building Peace". The "Wings of Hope" Church's Foundation was founded in 2003 with the aim to help children and young people in troubled regions to overcome their violence-related trauma.

All photos © Peter Williams/WCC except when indicated otherwise.
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