Media for Peace is a six-week online course in Canvas developed by World BEYOND War and refined during multiple iterations over the years with six expert instructors each facilitating one week.
The course is available to universities, schools, teachers, and organizations that want to use it. Contact World BEYOND War if interested.
About Media and Communications for Peace
This six-week online course consists of six core modules, three optional Zoom sessions, and a strong focus on reflective practice, collaborative learning, and community building throughout. It provides a concise introduction to the practical elements of creating and using clear and impactful media and communications for peace. It covers essential tools and techniques at every stage — from conceptualisation and preparation to production and dissemination — empowering you to achieve optimal results and effectively engage a broader audience. Whether you are a communications specialist, journalist, writer, researcher, educator, activist, or someone interested in conveying ideas and actions more effectively, this course is designed for you.
The course is structured around two main components: 1) A Six-week Online Course; and 2) Three Interactive Live Sessions.
1) Six-week Online Course:
The course consists of six core modules, covering the following:
Module 1. How to Consume and Critique Media
Critically reflect on the influence of mainstream media, learn to analyze and challenge pro-war media biases, and gain strategies to advance media for peace.
Module 2. How to Get Peace into Corporate Media
Explore the challenges and opportunities of promoting peace narratives in corporate media, and learn how to craft persuasive messages and build relationships with media outlets.
Module 3. How to Create Media: Text
Learn practical writing, editing, and storytelling techniques for crafting impactful articles, blogs, and accounts that effectively communicate peace ideas and actions.
Module 4. How to Create Media: Photographs, Videos, Audio
Gain practical skills in creating and editing multimedia content, and discover how to use photography, video, and audio to communicate compelling peace-focused stories.
Module 5. How to Create Media: Graphics
Learn to design engaging visual content that amplifies peace messages, and discover tools and techniques for effective graphic creation.
Module 6. How to Create Media: Social Media
Learn how to use social media platforms to promote peace, build your online presence, and engage with audiences to spread your message widely.
2) Three Interactive Live Sessions:
The three 1-hour optional Zoom calls are designed to facilitate a more interactive and real-time learning experience
Course Highlights
- Build capacity. Improve your skills in critical thinking, media literacy, and effective communication, while leaning the principles, practices, and methods of peace journalism.
- Practical application. Put your learning into practice through optional assignments and interactive activities.
- Build your network. Engage and exchange ideas and practices with a globally diverse cohort of peers who are connecting around issues of peace and war.
- Expert-guidance. Learn with and from distinguished guest facilitators, as well as World BEYOND War staff and board members, who bring decades of experience in peace and anti-war education, activism, and communications.
- Network expansion. Join a vibrant global community dedicated to ending war, including access to the 2900+ strong alumni network whose members meet regularly in spaces for dialogue, learning, and professional growth.
- Stay inormed. Access an extensive array of peace and anti-war resources to inform and guide your present and future endeavours.
- Create content. Leverage diverse communication methods – including written, digital, audio, and video – to amplify your work and engage with a broader audience.
- Earn a certificate. Receive certification as evidence of your learning and achievements from an award-winning anti-war organization.
- Future opportunities. Become involved in the broader work of World BEYOND War by creating or joining WBW chapters and affiliates around the world, where you can access additional support to inform your peace work.
- Digital literacy: Enhance your ability to use digital tools and platforms for effective media production and dissemination in an increasingly digital world.
Who Is The Course For?
This course is designed for anyone interested in understanding, creating, and using media and communications. It is particularly well-suited for:
- Educators and activists looking to engage more people, more effectively in their efforts and to use media strategies to amplify their work.
- Communications professionals responsible for crafting and disseminating compelling content that informs, educates, and inspires, including content creators, writers, journalists, and other media specialists
- Journalists, writers, and researchers who want to stay updated on the latest trends in peace and conflict, as well exploring the principles, practices, and methods of peace journalism in contrast to war journalism.
- Individuals eager to understand the impact of mainstream media on politics, policy, practices, and public opinion.
- Anyone looking to acquire new skills or enhance their existing competencies in creating and using media and communications.
Whether you are new to peace and anti-war work or seeking to deepen your expertise, you will emerge from this course equipped with valuable knowledge, practical tools, and an expanded network to support your professional and personal goals. Participants will come from diverse backgrounds and fields, including NGOs/INGOs, academia, civil society, government, think tanks, the private sector, media outlets, and the general public.
Time Commitment / Expectations
How much time you spend and how deeply you engage is up to you. At a minimum, you can expect to spend between 1-2 hours a week if you only review the weekly content (text and videos). We hope, however, you’ll want to engage in the online dialogue with peers and experts. This is where the real richness of the learning occurs, where we have the opportunity to explore new ideas, strategies, and visions for building a more peaceful world. Depending on your level of engagement with the online discussion you can expect to add another 1-3 hours a week. Finally, all participants are encouraged to complete optional assignments (required to earn a certificate). This is an opportunity to deepen and apply the ideas explored each week to practical possibilities. Expect another 2 hours a week if you pursue these options.
Accessing the Course
Prior to the start date, you will be sent instructions for how to access the course.
Earn a Certificate
To earn a certificate, participants must also complete optional weekly written assignments. Instructors will return the assignment to the student with detailed feedback. Submissions and feedback can be shared with everyone taking the course or kept private between a student and the instructor, at the student’s choice. Submissions must be completed by the conclusion of the course.