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Every year, the Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford hosts PeaceJam ñ an exciting and innovative peace education programme for schools and youth groups in the UK. Each year, a different Nobel Peace Laureate spends one weekend in Bradford. They work personally with young people to pass on their spirit, skills and wisdom. The PeaceJam Slam is a one day conference bringing students together to report on the projects they have completed for their communities and attend leadership training workshops.

PeaceJam was conceived in 1996. After conversations with gang members from Denver in the USA, artist and musician Ivan Suvanjieff discovered that these young men armed with guns, greatly admired Archbishop Desmond Tutu for his non-violent efforts toward social change. Ivan realised that Nobel Peace Laureates could act as alternative role models.

Ivan’s colleague, Dawn Engle, helped him to contact the Dalai Lama, whom she had met during her work for the US Congress. His Holiness loved their idea and with other Nobel Peace Laureates, helped set up PeaceJam as a vehicle to teach the art of peace.
PeaceJam is the only foundation in the world to have so many Nobel Peace Laureates working together closely and continuously. They are the Dalai Lama, Adolfo PÈrez Esquivel, Dr. Oscar Arias, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Betty Williams, Rigoberta Mench˙ Tum, M·iread Corrigan Maguire, JosÈ Ramos Horta, Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, Aung San Suu Kyi, Jody Williams, Mrs Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai and the late Sir Joseph Rotblat.

PeaceJam is independent and has no political or religious affiliation. The Peace Laureates who support the organisation come from different countries and have varied spiritual and political views. They all, however, believe that it is vital to teach peace, conflict resolution and tolerance to young people all around the world.

The next PeaceJam UK Youth Conference will be hosted by the University of Bradford in March 08. The 1992 Nobel Peace Laureate, Rigoberta Mench˙ Tum has been invited to participate. A leading advocate of Indian rights, she was the first Indigenous woman and the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel prize.

Contact: PeaceJam, Pugwash, Ground Floor Flat,
62a Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3BJ
Tel: +44 (0)207 405 6661
Website: www​.peacejam​.org

8 of the 14 Nobel Peace Laureates. Photo: © PeaceJam