The Peace Tool-Kit is designed to give practical resources, case studies and ideas for others to use and adapt to their own context for peacemaking in local community settings. Copies are available from the Carisma Office for £15 including postage. Further supplements will be added to the tool-kit in the coming months. (Big thanks to Fran Jones for her work compiling and writing the Tool-Kit).

PeaceWeek 2012 was our 10th and the last one… for now. Wouldn’t it be great if such an event was never again needed? The drop in gun and gang crime (and with it, funding and interest), while indeed good news in itself, does not mean the issues that caused it have gone away, so the work of PeaceWeek and PeaceFM founders Carisma continues. And sadly there is ongoing gang crime in other cities and communities.

So, this year Carisma is holding a one day Peace Seminar, to reflect on and try to pass on our 10 years experience, the lessons learned (and mistakes to avoid!), and strategies used. The day will also draw on the wisdom of a number of experts in conflict resolution and peace-building.

A ‘Peace Tool-Kit’ resource for communities is also in production and will be previewed on the day.

The seminar will be on Friday, March 1, 10am-4:30pm at Manchester Cathedral (registration & coffee from 9:30am) and will be relevant to delegates from the public, private, academic and voluntary sectors. Full details on the Conference Brochure. There is a special rate for community activists: email for details.

Download the conference brochure
Email for more information
Booking Form (Word)
Manchester Evening News article

The Lantern Parade on Friday evening, yet again took place on a dry evening, not bad for Manchester in Spring. Though not a great turnout, everyone had fun as the 2 parades were led by members of Republic of Swing Samba band. Thanks to Nick and Healthy Ardwick for their support, and Colin and his crew for a great job providing Stage, Sound and Lights.

On Saturday the OSBAs were not just a celebration of those who won the Outstanding Social Behaviour Awards, but also of 10 years of PeaceWeek, with a number of supporters and workers from previous years returning to look back with us on what has been achieved.

Photos from both have been added to our PeaceWeek 2012 online album, and more professionally-taken photos will be added to the OSBA website soon.

Big thanks to everyone who took part and all those who helped behind the scenes to make it all happen.

The PeaceWeek Family Lantern Parade is this Friday from 5:15pm. Come and walk with us.

There are two start points:

• MOSS SIDE: Millennium Powerhouse, 140 Raby St., Moss Side, M14 4SL. Map.
• LONGSIGHT: Asda Longsight Carpark, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Longsight, M12 4NH. Map.

The two marches meet at around 6:30pm for refreshments and entertaiment on the grass area beside Longsight Adventure Play, off Lauderdale Crescent, Ardwick, M13 9EX. Map. Finishing by 7:30pm. For more info email or phone 226 9905.

There was an under 13 competition, won by Stockport Viking Whites, and a 14-16 competition, won by All Stars. In addition there was a blind football match (blindfolds and a ball that jingled), and a match between GMP Xcalibre and the PeaceFM DJs (who won 3:1). Check out the photos here.

The Launch Event on Saturday was amazing! Singing, rap, dance, drama, music, lyrics, loads of people having fun.

This is what our community is about.

This is what our young people can do.

Check out the photos on the PeaceWeek 2012 flickr set. Video clip to follow soon.

Click here to have a look. More photos will be added as PeaceWeek progresses.

P.S. The link to the Programme on the previous post now works properly. Or just click here.

The final planning meeting for PeaceWeek 2012 will be on Wednesday February 22, 12 noon to 1.30pm at the Carisma Office, St Mary’s Parsonage, 1 Parsonage Street, Hulme, M15 5WD. Map.

We have been encouraged by how everything has come together in the last few weeks (well, nearly everything, but there’s still time). The Peace tape is appearing round buildings and has been written about in the Evening News, and our PeaceWeek newspapers and “Fit for Peace” stickers are getting distributed around the area. We could still do with some help to get the rest out.

Don’t forget the three Lantern-making workshops next week.

Monday February 20 and Wednesday February 22, 4pm to 5:30pm, at the Amani Centre, Quinney Crescent, Moss Side, M15 7DG. Map.

Saturday February 25, 11am to 1pm, at Coverdale Church, Coverdale Crescent, Ardwick, M12 4FG. Map.