History

Learn more about the Genesis of PeaceJam and founders Dawn Engle and Ivan Suvanjieff.

Education, Inspiration, Action

PeaceJam's program is built on a pyramid of three simple ideas: Education, Inspiration, and Action.

Education:
The process starts with education as the students participate in PeaceJam Programs focusing on the lives of the Nobel Peace Laureates. Programs are available for youth ages 5-29 and each program includes components which stimulate critical thinking skills, strengthen research skills, build skills in leadership and nonviolence, and promote personal reflection and growth. Each program teaches specific content around the lives and work of the participating Nobel Peace Laureates including an exploration of the issues that affect communities – both locally and globally. The programs are Juniors, Leaders, Ambassadors, Scholars and Juvenile Justice.

Inspiration:
Education is followed by Inspiration, which comes from meeting the Nobel Laureates at conferences and connecting with other people working on projects for their communities. Through the first-hand stories provided by the Nobel Laureates, youth will get to know each Nobel Peace Laureate on a very personal level - each story emphasizing the Laureates choice to stand up for social justice, human rights, nonviolence, and peace. 

Action:
After being properly inspired, Jammers get out of their seats and into the streets! They get to work by taking on PeaceJam's Global Call to Action - an ambitious campaign to create and track ONE BILLION projects addressing ten of the most pressing issues facing our world. 

History of PeaceJam at BRIDGES

BRIDGES PeaceJam was brought to Memphis in 2001 by then PeaceJam Coordinator Rody Thompson and BRIDGES President Jim Boyd. The first PeaceJam conference was held in 2002 and hosted by Nobel Peace Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel. Since that time, the Mid-South affiliate of PeaceJam has worked with over two thousand youth and has welcomed Nobel Laureates such as Betty Williams (2007), Rigoberta Menchu-Tum (2004, 2008), Mairead Corrigan Maguire (2005), Jody Williams (2003, 2009) and Jose-Ramos Horta (2006).