The Initiatives of Change flagship program Creators of Peace has continued to make an impact through its key programs across Australia. In November this year a Creators of Peace Circle took place in in Newcastle NSW for the very first time.
Initiated as a result of an enquiry that came through the international Creators of Peace website, the offer by Katrina Gulbrandsen was to host a Peace Circle, if CoP facilitators would be willing to travel to Newcastle. Katrina as she introduced herself was the founder of Shared World Collective, a social enterprise based in Newcastle NSW, dedicated to creating opportunities for human connection through participatory arts & culture projects. The CoP NSW team was thrilled to establish a partnership with Shared World Collective and took on the project. Katrina offered the facilitators to stay overnight in her home and the use of the space to run the Peace Circle while Tanya Fox, CoP National Network Liaison assisted with creating the promotional flyer.
CoP facilitators Prasanthi Hagare and Tanya Fox travelled to Newcastle from Sydney over the two weekends and were warmly welcomed by a group of seven amazing local women who are activists in social enterprises and sustainable living initiatives. Over the two weekends the group shared and explored what ‘Peace’ meant to them.
Participating in a Creators of Peace Circle provided a safe and welcoming space for us all to share our stories and listen deeply to the stories of others. The discussions challenged me to reflect on my role in fostering peace, leaving me inspired and equipped to better create meaningful change in my own life and in my community. I’m definitely more conscious of my ability to make choices that either favour peace or deny it. – Participant
Unsure of what to expect, I was amazed by the experience. It deepened my ability to connect with others and truly listen, fostering understanding in ways I hadn’t experienced for years. I became more mindful of how my actions impact peace—both mine and others’. Inspired by this journey, I’ve embraced a calling to stand for peace and seek it always. This course marked the start of new friendships and a personal transformation. I’ve even enrolled in a Master of Counselling, motivated by this incredible experience. – Yvie (Participant)
This was such a beautiful and profound experience. Thank you for this wonderful experience. I am certainly going to be nurturing everything I learnt and my new found peace creators for the rest of my life. – Participant
As a closing activity, the group visited the local park and played the game ‘One Word at a Time Story’ where each participant adds one word at a time to create a story.
This is the profound story that was created:
“We, creators of freedom, gathered in the heart of inner Newcastle. Committed women to do peace and growth. They inspired change for making own changes, creating peace for humanity.”
The group continues to keep in touch via a WhatsApp group, and share Quiet Time reflections and experiences of peace-giving, and are looking forward to a Reunion in February 2025.
‘The circle provided a safe and welcoming space for us all to share our stories and listen deeply to the stories of others. The discussions challenged me to reflect on my role in fostering peace, leaving me inspired and equipped to better create meaningful change in my own life and in my community. I’m definitely more conscious of my ability to make choices that either favour peace or deny it. Thank you, Creators of Peace!’
– Co host Katrina Gulbrandsen
‘It was such a joy, an honour and a privilege to travel the road to peace together with this group of peace hungry women. We laughed and cried together and from all their comments, they have reaped personal benefit from their Peace Circle experience.’
– Facilitator Tanya Fox