Culturing Peace | A Youth Movement for Global Peace Leaders

Established in 2021, Culturing Peace grew from peacebuilder (and Peace Practice Alliance graduate) Rebecca Hoskyn’s inspiration to connect youth to peace leaders from around the world. Her vision was to facilitate regular discussions about relevant topics like racism, human rights, nonviolent communication, and both personal and global peace practices that would empower the next generation. Guided by the same inspiration, high school English teacher, Megan McGinnis, saw her friend Becky’s social media post about Culturing Peace and immediately asked how she could help, marking the beginning of their co-leadership. For over 2 years, Culturing Peace has been bringing young adults together from around the world each month in an online conversation about global peacebuilding practices. Guest speakers share their expertise in a specific peacebuilding strategy and guide discussion around tangible ways for participants to practice them in their communities. Culturing Peace has brought together deep thinking and compassionate young people from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Liberia, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Gaza, and the United States. Participants use words and phrases like “heart-space,” “resolve to go forward,” “calming,” “grace to speak with love,” and “moral courage” when talking about these online conversations.

One participant says: “With my family troubles and overwhelming amount of schoolwork, I experienced a burnout quite often. I was stressed and unhappy. After we started these meetings, my difficulties were put into perspective. I met people who had to overcome challenges that I cannot even imagine, and they still joined the meetings with a smile on their face. So, it’s safe to say that the people I met in our calls have changed my life, and mindset, for the better.

Highlights from the last two years include:

Becky, M, and Megan

  • Lending support to Afghan peacebuilders throughout the Taliban takeover

  • Hosting a 6-part series on Kingian Nonviolent Communications with two peace practitioners from two different countries

  • Discussing the UN’s list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their effect on our peace practices

  • Developing circles of compassion where participants can share thoughts in a safe and inclusive environment

  • Uplifting storytelling as a tool for personal and collective peace

Please follow Culturing Peace on Instagram and email Becky and Megan at culturing.peace@gmail.com for further info. They’d love to hear from you!

Hollister