Peace School Opens in Victoria B.C.

By William S. Geimer, World BEYOND War, April 22, 2022

If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.
Mahatma Ghandi

Members of World Beyond War Victoria (WBWV) have joined with members of local spiritual communities and other peace groups to establish Canada’s first independent, in-person learning peace education centre. Greater Victoria Peace School (GVPS) opened a 13 week initial course on April 22.

The instructional program begins where the quest for peace begins—with all of us as individuals. Members of the initial class will explore the nature of peace, unity, and an understanding of worldview. They will then examine concepts of global security and governance and the challenges of international peacekeeping, including nonviolent intervention and resistance.

The course is affirmative and realistic. It goes beyond simply setting out what is wrong and reveals the world not only as it is but also at it truly can be, along with practical steps to achieving a world of peace. Students will learn that building such a world does not require starting at square one–that individuals, communities, and civil organizations are already at work.

“We are committed to long term thinking, beyond the corporate mindset of the next quarter”, observed Bill Geimer, director of the school and WBWV member. “That dictates that we start small, focus on what will reach ordinary Canadians, and hopefully grow and expand over the years” he said. “After the initial term, we will be sending an after action report with lessons learned to every peace organization in Canada. Our hope is that others will consider similar projects because witnessing about wrongs is necessary but not sufficient. If we want to change policy, we have to change people—a few at a time—for as long as it takes.”

For more information, go to victoriapeaceschool.com
or email peacevetcanada@gmail.com

One Response

  1. I’d like to share your course with our peace community in the southern tier of NY state (Binghamton, Elmira, Ithaca)
    bcpeaceaction.org
    bensalmon.org
    bankillerdrones.org

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