37 participants recently took part in a peace circle in Kwa Thema, 90 kilometres from Johannesburg.

A series of significant screenings and debates took place in Egypt, 27 May – 5 June, to mark the launch in the country of the Arabic version of the award-winning documentary film The Imam and the Pastor. The launch coincided with President Barack Obama’s visit to Egypt and his historic keynote speech at Cairo University on the relationship between the United States and the Muslim World. Imad Karam, who works with Initiatives of Change's FLTfilms in the UK, and his wife Amira, report.

The Arabic version of the award winning documentary film The Imam and the Pastor was launched in Lebanon on 27th March under the slogan ‘Together in service of sustainable Reconciliation’.

A Muslim imam and a Christian pastor: former enemies, now internationally renowned peacemakers. Two Nigerians have been taking their message of hope around the world. Mike Lowe reports.

Imam Ashafa and Pastor James from Nigeria, subjects of the film The Imam and the Pastor, visited Scotland 27 November to 4 December at the invitation of the Scottish Episcopal Church. They took part in a four-day conference bringing together Christians and Muslims from UK and Scandinavia. The aim was to foster better understanding among those of different faiths, and to discuss the challenges faced by faith groups in different countries.

Following a series of four women's Peace Circles in Kenya (October 2007 and May 2008) a group of 23 women took part in the first Peace Circles re-union at the St Mary's Pastoral Centre in Nakuru on 17th August. Peace Circles are part of the Creators of Peace programme of Initiatives of Change. They involve small local groups working through material specially designed to deepen friendships and understanding of each other and of their peace-building capabilities. The reunion brought together graduates from the workshops to talk about the impact of Peace Circles upon their lives and to discuss new ideas.

From Sudan to Sydney, women are addressing the underlying issues of division and dysfunction in families and communities. Jean Brown, an international coordinator of Creators of Peace International, writes:

‘Peace circles’ where quiet conversations influence, educate and inform women’s judgment as they mother the next generation and the birth a new nation.

As the Clean Elections Campaign takes root in different parts of Kenya, the election date is knocking hard and it is clearer that the message of elections free of violence and tribalism is critically needed by all. People are signing the printed pledge forms and many asking for more to take to their friends.

A personal reflection by Tehmina Siganporia, International Coordinator of CoP