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10
Apr
2025
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Building peace with young people in Colombia. Credit:PDP
Peacebuilding is about resolving conflicts in a non-violent way, respecting freedoms whilst protecting communities and our environment.
This means supporting people to live together peacefully especially after conflict because a better world needs all of us.
Peace is at the heart of our Catholic faith - it is the work of the Church to support communities to find peace. Our Catholic Social Teachings help us understand that peace is not just the absence of war. Peace is about justice, solidarity and human dignity.
We work with local experts within each country to respond to threats to peace such as violence, inequality and exclusion.
We work to address the root causes of the crisis as poverty, conflict and injustice are often interlinked.
Palestinian students participate in an educational visit to Bethlehem, coming together in a spirit of unity, learning and shared humanity.
All around the world, the Catholic Church, faith groups and non-faith partners are working alongside communities to help resolve conflict. We listen, talk, and rebuild relationships, especially where people have been divided due to factors like faith, race or gender.
The local Church is embedded in hard-to-reach communities, often where others are not able to work. We are trusted by people and can act quickly.
Our local experts give legal advice and mental health support for survivors of conflict and human rights abuses. When people understand their rights and what causes conflict, they’re better able to take action in their own communities.
They focus on small, practical steps like building trust, solving problems, and working together day to day. These small actions might seem simple, but they help build the bigger picture of peace, supporting long-term trust, cooperation and lasting peace agreements.
Our local experts support communities, women and Church leaders to have a say in political and economic life. We do this by making sure those in power are open, honest, and responsible, so they listen to communities and respond better to their needs.
This supports the poorest and most vulnerable people within a community to contribute to group decisions that affect their and their families' lives.
Women, young people and local decision making are at the heart of our projects. We shift harmful social norms and address social injustices.
We are raising our voices together. It takes all of us at local, national and global level to create long-term peace.
Small, everyday actions grow into lasting, big changes. You and our local experts support communities in speaking up and being heard at every level. From local communities to Church leaders, all the way to decision-makers in the UK and beyond.
Coalition Ceasefire Vigil, December 2023, to push the UK government to call for a lasting ceasefire in Israel and Gaza
You are helping to reach 600 people in Lebanon, including Syrians, Lebanese and Palestinians to have open group conversations and take steps to keep peace.
In occupied Palestinian territory in 2025, our local experts trained 75 young Palestinians to peacefully resolve local conflict and tension. This includes advocating for better services and support for 250 vulnerable people in and around Bethlehem.
You help address root causes of conflict. In Sri Lanka, you joined 3,178 citizens and faith leaders from different backgrounds and religions to prevent tensions turning into conflict.
You are with 362 students and teachers in Magdalena Medio region, Colombia. They are caring for our common home and resolving conflict.
In Nigeria, our sisters and brothers experience violence in conflict areas. You help support 838 people to encourage long-term peace and inclusivity.
Young people in Goma, DRC using dance and art to promote peacebuilding and environmental protection. Credit: Kivu Art Academy.
In a world filled with violence and conflict, we pray for peace.
Share these peace prayers with others in your parish or community or use them to inspire your personal prayer time.