Seeds of Peace

* Seeds of Peace is available on CD for $5 (incl.post and handling)
   from the NCCA and State and Territory ecumenical bodies

OR individual files may be downloaded from here **

The Seeds of Peace resource aims:

· to celebrate the work of contemporary Australians overcoming violence
· to offer examples and inspiration to others in peacemaking and reconciliation
· to provide study and worship materials based around stories told, and
· to highlight further directions to other helpful resources for overcoming violence

Just as each of the stories in this Resource represent vital ‘seeds of peace’, so it is hoped, as these materials are shared, other seeds of peace may grow amongst us, enabling us to cultivate a culture of peace in all aspects of our lives and world.

Seeds of Peace contains

*  Background files – including:

· What is DOV (the Decade to Overcome Violence)?
· DOV in Australia information
· Why the DOV Circles? – an explanation
· DOV Patron’s 10 Point Action Plan for Human Rights
· ‘Towards a Timeline’ - of Australian ‘Seeds of Peace’
· Other helpful Resources and contemporary Seeds of Peace

* 28 Stories of Australians engaged in peace and reconciliation
(in separate folders - arranged in relation to the seven circles of violence and peacemaking used in the Decade to Overcome Violence in Australia)
nb. The stories within this Resource do not of course purport to be a fully representative selection of those Australians engaged in overcoming violence and cultivating a culture of peace! However, they are presented as a lively variety of many kinds of peacemaking and reconciliation being undertaken by contemporary Australians and of some of the directions others might follow to further this work.

*  Study Materials – related to the stories in each of the 7 DOV circles of peacemaking
*  Worship Materials - related to the stories in each of the 7 circles of peacemaking

How to Use Seeds of Peace

Seeds of Peace, its stories and study materials, is not intended to be used as a whole, but selectively in a number of ways, as a library or bank, to prompt reflection, action and prayer for peace and reconciliation - for example:
· Selecting one or more stories for individual or group reflection and inspiration
· Using the study materials (re. one or more circles of peacemaking) 
  within a course of study and reflection-action
· Using, including and/or adapting the worship materials for one-off or regular use

Acknowledgements:
The National Council of Churches in Australia gratefully acknowledges all those who have contributed to the making of ‘Seeds of Peace’, and in particular:
· the 2% for Development Fund of the NSW Uniting Church Synod, and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) for their financial support
· the members of the DOV in Australia Working Group for their direction and inspiration
· Margaret Allen for her sterling support as a DOV volunteer in the NCCA office
· Sonia Inkpin for the Seeds of Peace logo
(and especially) those highlighted who have been willing to share their stories.
Wherever possible, other sources have been acknowledged and directions for further information indicated in the relevant sections of the Resource.  Other materials and the overall project have been written and compiled by the Seeds of Peace project coordinator, the Revd.Dr.Jonathan Inkpin.