Meet the group of peacemakers in Iran who are taking steps toward peace through creativity and hope.
This spring, activists working with children and Youth in Iran launched a transformative project called Until Peace, aiming to create a culture of healing and hope based on the foundation of peace.
To symbolise resilience and inspire action, the activists encouraged communities to fold paper cranes, inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, folded a thousand paper cranes in her quest for recovery, transforming them into a global symbol of peace. This collective act of creativity highlights the power of hope and unity.
However, Until Peace goes beyond symbolism. The project has created a platform for facilitators from across Iran to collaborate and innovate new approaches for teaching children about peace, empathy, and conflict resolution. This initiative includes peaceful storytelling sessions, creative performances, hands-on exploration, and fostering connections among facilitators to share experiences across the country.
One of the facilitators involved in the project, an expert in child psychology and development, has played a key role in organising workshops that integrate art, play, and life skills. These workshops provide a safe space for children and adults to connect, promoting empathy and healthy communication. Meanwhile, parents and teachers participate in simultaneous sessions to learn effective strategies for fostering harmony in families, schools, and communities.
This project showcases the transformative power of community-based actions, emphasising empathy, connection, and resilience as the foundations of peacebuilding.
PeaceMentors is a youth-led initiative based in Iran and they are a member of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY). Its vision is Passing Peace in the community through youth. PeaceMentor’s mission is to raise awareness and train young people in the field of peacebuilding, intercultural dialog, interfaith dialog, social inclusion and conflict resolution through negotiation, mediation, dialog and nonviolence.
