The PeaceJam
Story
The PeaceJam Foundation was launched in February 1996 by
co-founders Dawn Engle and Ivan Suvanjieff. Suvanjieff conceived the idea for PeaceJam in the summer of 1994 when
talking to some gang members from his neighborhood in
north Denver. He discovered that the gun-carrying youth not only knew who Archbishop Desmond Tutu was, they
appreciated his nonviolent efforts toward social change. As an artist, Suvanjieff merely connected the dots and
realized the power of connecting these disaffected youths with Nobel Peace Laureates as role models for positive
change. Engle had previously met the Dalai Lama during her years working for the U.S. Congress, where she lobbied on behalf of the Tibetan cause. Engle and Suvanjieff were granted an audience with His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, who liked the idea.
The Dalai Lama suggested that PeaceJam bring in other Nobel Peace Laureates. Engle and Suvanjieff discovered
that the majority of Nobel Peace Laureates were interested in the idea of peace education for youth. PeaceJam
soon provided the Nobel Peace Laureates with programmatic ways to work together and teach peace to the youth
of the world. Engle and Suvanjieff were married by Tutu in his church in South Africa in 2001.
Since then, the PeaceJam Foundation has become the global leader in developing young leaders committed to
positive change in themselves and their communities through the inspiration of 13 Nobel Peace Prize winners who
pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody. PeaceJam accomplishes this mission through award-winning
documentaries, service-learning curricula, and events around the world that have engaged a million youth worldwide and promoted their high-quality service projects.
In September 2006, 10 Nobel Peace Laureates launched the Global Call to Action campaign to tackle what they
perceived as the most pressing issues facing our planet. In 2014, the PeaceJam Foundation partnered with corporate sponsors such as Google and Wells Fargo to launch the One Billion Acts of Peace Campaign – a global citizens’
campaign to engage the world to generate acts of peace in 10 key focus areas such as advancing women and
children, environmental sustainability, and others.
Ivan Suvanjieff— President
Kate Cumbo, Ph. D— Director of Programs
Dawn Engle— Executive Director
Jim Stallings— Project Manager / Programs Assistant
Brandi Brown— Deputy Campaign Manager , Billion Acts
Morgan Norris—Assistant Campaign Manager, Billion Acts
Elizabeth Holloway—Film Producer
Ulla Wasserman—Software Engineer
Dave Keeling—Software Engineer
Cedric Chambers—Social Media Coordinator
Julia Michel— Book Keeper / Grant Writer
The PeaceJam Foundation is an international organization whose mission is to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody.
Inspire: The Nobel Peace Laureates are effective role models for people of all ages and their courage, wisdom, determination, and commitment to justice and peace can inspire leaders young and
old to create positive change in themselves and the world.
Educate: It is vitally important that we educate ourselves about issues that matter, including the
historical and current contexts, and learn the essential skills needed to create a more inclusive and
compassionate world.
Act: Each one of us can contribute to positive change by taking steps to address the root cause of
problems in our communities and the world. Through inspired and informed action, we can work
together to find solutions to our most pressing issues and transform our world
Nobel Peace Laureates Mentoring Youth to Change the World: PeaceJam brings the wisdom,
spirit and skills of the Nobel Peace Prize winners alive for people, young and old, in 39 countries
around the globe. At the annual PeaceJam Youth Leadership Conferences, young people spend two
days with one of these world leaders for peace, learning how to become change makers, engaging in
service projects, and presenting their work to the Laureate. Find a PeaceJam event near you
Award-winning educational curriculum : Based on the lives of each of our 13 Nobel Peace Laureates, the PeaceJam curriculum helps support students in applying their knowledge to real world
issues, building leadership skills, and studying international issues by addressing the root causes
of local & global issues through participating in service learning projects. Learn more at PeaceJam
Programs
The Nobel Legacy Film Series: The Nobel Legacy Film Series: PeaceJam devotes a full length documentary to each of our 13 Nobel Laureates. By capturing their stories & sharing them with the
world, we are able to guide future leaders in their quest for peace. All of the films will be premiered
at the Monaco television & Film Festival hosted annually by Prince Albert II . This year’s film is
Daughter of the Maya, featuring Rigoberta Menchu Tum.
Global Action: One Billion Acts of Peace is a global call to action for citizens of the world to engage
in addressing the most pressing issues affecting our planet. Working with global leaders like Google
and Wells Fargo, this United Nations supported Peace Initiative unites local communities, national
organizations, and international leaders to encourage and celebrate Act of peace through service
projects that address the root causes of Racism, Human Rights, Environmental Issues, Poverty and
other important issues. Learn more about how you can participate in One Billion Acts of Peace
18,500 Global Youth Participants
1,500 University Mentors
2,500 Educators
16 Youth Leadership Events Globally
20 In-Person Trainings in Regions Around the World
PeaceJam’s Bullying Prevention curriculum, “Compassion in Action”, explores
the lives and works of five Nobel Peace Laureates, incorporating concepts
relating to history, political science, geography, social justice, human rights,
citizenship, and language arts. The purpose of this curriculum is to stimulate
students’ critical-thinking skills, increase their knowledge of the role of nonviolence in conflict, and promote self-growth and reflection. It includes specific content on the lives and work of the Nobel Peace Laureates, as well as
engaging activities for analyzing root causes of both minor and injustices
alike.
In its fist year, the Billion Acts Campaign logged over 5.5 million Acts of
Peace, the website was visited by 192 countries world wide, its Social
Media reach tripled, and the first annual Hero Awards was celebrated in
Monte Carlo. Working with Google and other partners , website improvements and user experience was enhanced, and new tools and features
were created to increase engagement and exposure.
PeaceJam Greece joined as our newest international Chapter, and hosted their
PeaceJam kickoff event with 200 young leaders from across the country.
Teaming up with EIMAI – Center for Emerging Leaders, a local non-profit, the
PeaceJam youth worked to support unaccompanied Syrian refugees and were
chosen as a Billion Acts Hero Awards semi-finalist for their service project.
PeaceJam Celebrates 20th year!
As we reflect on all that has been accomplished- over 1 million participants from 39 countries, more
than million service projects, lives and communities being changed, and inspiring a new generation
to take action - we realize that none of this would have been possible without our youth, educators,
partners, alumni and supporters. Thank you for our continued support!
10 Million Acts of Peace
2016 has been an exciting year for BAOP. Since January 2016, Billion Acts has
logged 2.94 Million Acts- the largest jump in the history of the Campaign. With a
renewed vision and strategy, custom campaigns and new online tools to continue to
increase our exposure and outreach we hope to reach 10 million acts this summer.
We currently have two cities working to create over 22,000 Acts of Peace, and are
concluding our most successful online voting for our second annual Hero
Awards. This September we will be highlighting our supporters, new initiatives, network members, partners, and announcing the exciting new European PeaceJam initiative during a weeklong International Day of Peace celebration.
Alumni Outreach
We have created a new Alumni Outreach Program to engage our PeaceJam
alumni, learn about their current work, and provide them with some great
new opportunities, tools and initiatives to help them continue their commitment to peace around the world. If you would like to be involved, or know
someone who might, please contact us at: [email protected]
Global Expansion
PeaceJam continues to expand around the globe. We would like to welcome our newest
Chapters, who have joined in 2016. If you would like to bring PeaceJam to your country or
community, contact [email protected].
The Netherlands
Belgium
Singapore
The PeaceJam Board of Directors is comprised of individuals appointed directly by the Nobel Laureates who are members of the PeaceJam Foundation. Directors serve a two-year term on the
board.
Kelsang 'Kaydor' Aukatsang, representing the Dalai Lama of Tibet, is the Director of the Office of Tibet
in Washington DC.
Monica Willard, representing Betty Williams, is a representative to the United Nations for Pathways to
Peace.
Aury Cuxe, representing Rigoberta Menchú Tum, is the executive assistant of Rigoberta Menchú Tum.
Katherine Stanley Obando, representing Oscar Arias, is the Education Director of the Multilingüe Foundation, Costa Rica.
Naomi Tutu, representing Desmond Tutu, is a community leader and activist.
Máiread Corrigan Maguire represents herself on the PeaceJam board and won the Nobel Peace Prize in
1976.
Beverly Keene, representing Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, is the Coordinator for JUBILEO SUR, Américas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Dr. Ali Moiin, representing Shirin Ebadi, is the President of the Shirin Ebadi Foundation in Detroit,
Michigan.
Claudia Abate (Board Chair), representing José Ramos-Horta, is the Executive Director and President of
the Foundation for Post Conflict Development.
Liz Bernstein, representing Jody Williams, is the Executive Director of the Nobel Women’s Initiative.
Sally Milne, representing Sir Joseph Rotblat and the Pugwash Office located in London, England.
Jay Kesselee Fatormah, representing Leymah Gbowee, is CEO of Kess Information Systems in Accra,
Ghana.
Dr. Tin Mar Aung, representing Aung San Suu Kyi, works for the National League for Democracy in Bahan Township, Rangoon