During Peace Week, people who long for peace and a feeling of community join PAX in demonstrating what is possible, despite growing polarisation. The week features unique events and countless beautiful moments – on a human scale, doable, and within reach.
The goal of the Peace Week is to put a spotlight on positive initiatives, initiatives that contribute to an inclusive, peaceful society in the Netherlands. We get people moving so they can contribute to peaceful communities. We invite everyone in the Netherlands to take part. People organise hundreds of activities throughout the country, ranging from movie nights to festivals, meals to master classes, and celebrations to debates. This is Peace Week: all these local activities taking place in communities all over the Netherlands.
PAX supports local initiatives with an annual Peace Week theme, ideas for events, materials, training days, and a special Peace Week website where all the activities are listed. PAX also runs a national publicity campaign to generate media attention
More at vredesweek.nl (in Dutch)
PAX Dove
Peace can seem far away, not something that concerns us here in the Netherlands. PAX wants to challenge this assumption and pay tribute to people who really make a difference. We do this through the PAX Dove, an award we give to people who are building communities or resisting division in society, on a large or small scale. This is how people contribute to peace.
Walk of Peace
The Walk of Peace is a way to show that, despite our differences, we can still walk together. You get to know your town or city and the people who live there from another perspective.
The first Walk of Peace took place in 2015, and PAX has been supporting local groups who want to organise a Walk of Peace ever since. Interest for the Walk of Peace is growing every year. In 2019, local groups organised Walks of Peace in 40 communities.
The idea for the Walk of Peace comes from the Pilgrimage & Justice work group from the World Council of Churches. In the Netherlands, the Council of Churches and PAX took the initiative to coordinate an annual Walk of Peace.