Violence Prevention Initiative

People Engaged in Activities to resolve Conflict in their Environment (PEACE is a violence prevention initiative to transform the District of Columbia into a city of peace, to incorporate nonviolence principles as way of life for all residents, and to utilize the exhibits - Gandhi King Ikeda: A Legacy and the youth inspired Victory Over Violence (VOV) as tools for engaging in dialogue and discussion. We believe by studying nonviolence principles, we can begin to re-orient the discussion about realizing peace, embody the ideals set forth by Gandhi, King, and Ikeda and other peace activists, and transform our neighborhoods into safe, livable and thriving communities where all life is respected and appreciated. In collaboration with the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) we partner with community organizations to host these exhibits in public venues. We are seeking to host public forums on peace and welcome the opportunity to partner with like minded individuals and organizations.

Gandhi King Ikeda Exhibit

The Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace exhibit was created Dr. Lawrence E. Carter, Dean of the Martin L. King, Jr. Memorial Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Through this exhibit that by examining the lives of these great figures from three different cultures and continents, viewers will find these lofty ideals and principles within the grasp of their own daily existence. For it is within the mundane realm of daily living that Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda have sought to forge an existence filled with dignity, freedom and happiness for all people.

This exhibit is divided into sections that present their lives as they relate to key themes:

• Forging Destiny
• Humanity at the Heart
• Principles into Action
• Nonviolence
• Adversity and Resistance

To learn more about the Gandhi King Ikeda exhibit please visit their website at: http://www.morehouse.edu/about/chapel/peace_exhibit/index.html

Victory Over Violence Exhibit

The Victory Over Violence campaign, (VOV), hopes to inspire young people throughout the world to identify and counteract the root causes of violence in their own lives, homes, schools and local communities through awareness, introspection, individual empowerment and a courageous and creative commitment to dialogue. This exhibit provides comprehensive educational material.

VOV was created by the youth of the Soka Gakkai International - USA (SGI-USA a Buddhist association in 1999 in response to growing concerns over the rise in youth-related violence.

The Goals of VOV

• To promote awareness, introspection and the spirit of non-violence through dialogue among our youth, our families, our schools and our communities in order to inspire and awaken the energies for positive change.
• To provide a source of hope and courage for young people who have suffered the effects of violence.
• To transform the tendency to downplay the sanctity of life that became deeply rooted in the minds of our children during the twentieth century, the century of war and violence.
• To learn more about VOV and take the Peace Pledge visit their website: http://www.vov.com/