Change Starts Here

What vision of heartbreaking misery, what manner of dire poverty, what degradation of the human spirit must we all see before we stand up and actually commit to doing something about it? When will we answer our call to action?

It is questions such as these that drive the non-profit foundation PeaceJam.

What is PeaceJam?

Working with Nobel Peace Laureates and youth from all over the world, PeaceJam’s Global Call to Action “doesn’t ask people to simply ‘identify’ problems and ‘spread awareness’ of the issues. The Global Call to Action is about just that – ACTION.”

Having identified ten problems that are at the root of human suffering – challenges such as poverty, racism, clean water, disease, women’s rights, and violence – PeaceJam aims to create ONE BILLION acts of service and peace to solve these pressing issues.

While anybody can take part in the Global Call to Action, "The mission of the PeaceJam Foundation 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."

What is the Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded yearly to one or more people who have acted to create a more peaceful world. According to NobelPrize.org, it is awarded to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses"

One Nobel Prize winner was instrumental in getting PeaceJam started. When the founders of PeaceJam met with the Dalia Lama and presented him their idea for their fledgling foundation, he said he would participate – but only if other Nobel winners were involved as well. This would help give global perspectives to participating youth.

Who is The Dalia Lama?

The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts in preserving the historical and cultural heritage of his people in their struggle with China. He consistently calls for nonviolent solutions and embraces the philosophy of peace in working with religious and political leaders around the world as they work to end international conflicts, violence, human rights issues, and environmental problems (nobelprize.org).

The Dalia Lama has “started over 50 large settlements for Tibetan refugees in India and created a Tibetan school system to teach refugee children Tibetan language, history, religion, and culture. He founded several cultural institutes to preserve 2,000 years of Tibet’s arts and sciences and helped reestablish more than 200 monasteries to keep Buddhist teachings alive” (PeaceJam.com). Through all that, he has also found the time to write almost 30 books.

In his own words, The Dalai Lama is still, “…just a simple Buddhist monk – no more, no less.” He lives the life of a traditional monk, waking early to meditate and pray while continuing to deliver messages of compassion, kindness, peace, and universal happiness.

"The need for simple human-to-human relationships is becoming increasingly urgent . . . Today the world is smaller and more interdependent. One nation's problems can no longer be solved by itself completely. Thus, without a sense of universal responsibility, our very survival becomes threatened. Basically, universal responsibility is feeling for other people's suffering just as we feel our own. It is the realization that even our enemy is entirely motivated by the quest for happiness. We must recognize that all beings want the same thing that we want. This is the way to achieve a true understanding, unfettered by artificial consideration."

Recently, Healing Path magazine wrote about the past, present, and future of PeaceJam. To read that article online, click here: Healing Path (click to page 18)

You can also visit PeaceJam's web site at PeaceJam.org

OneTribe.com is proud to profile socially and environmentally responsible organizations such as PeaceJam. Through sales of t-shirts, we help provide a lasting revenue stream by donating 50% of the price directly to this worthy cause.

In fact, the purchase of one shirt helps one youth attend a global leadership training conference with a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Click here to learn more: OneTribe.com/PeaceJam