November is Peace month in Coventry, the city of peace and reconciliation. The city held its seventh peace festival which was condensed from its usual month long affair into just two weeks. The event included exhibitions, concerts and film screenings and the Presentation of Peace Prize to Bruce Kent who is one of the Countries most prolific campaigners for Nuclear Disarmament.
On 14th November 1940 400 German bombs were dropped on the city causing mass destruction and killing hundreds of people. The cathedral was destroyed but subsequently took it upon itself to rebuild in the pursuit of reconciliation. Combined with a history of Trade Unions and Socialists in the 20’s and 30’s the Coventry became known as the City of Peace and Reconciliation.
In the spirit of reconciliation the city was twinned with other cities that were devastated as a result of the Second World War, including Stalingrad and Hiroshima and since then its reputation as a city for reconciliation and peace has grown, and become globally renowned.
In 1999 Coventry University has a department dedicated to the study of peace reconciliation and forgiveness. The centre offers an MA Peace and Reconciliation Studies as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills.
The courses aim to bring about international understanding. The hope is that the work carried out at the centre will empower grass roots, national and international levels who strive to end violent conflict through non violent means and lay the foundations for peace between those involved in conflict. Whilst the centre works with the Cathedral they are not part of the religious centre as they aim to teach in a secular academic environment.
Recent graduate Sujana Upadhyay came to Coventry after working with the Charity Practical Action which works in Latin America, East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia, and attempts to help the world poorest communities using “simple technology to fight poverty and transform their lives for the better.” Working with the charity and growing up in Nepal during their Civil War inspired her to take on the Masters programme.
Working alongside the Cathedral several of the students from the course gave public talks about their experiences of growing up in a war zones such as Kenya and Iraq. In the past students from Palestine have spoken of their experience of life in Refugee camps in Bethlehem and living under occupation.
The centre is also working alongside the Cathedral and the Herbert Art Gallery to promote Olympian Ideals of sports, ethics and peace and the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. There are plans for a series of activities that will complement the sporting events of the games by “by providing a cultural experience of ‘peace and reconciliation.”
The hope is to promote the concept of peace and international friendship as well as supporting those suffering as a result of armed conflicts.
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