This Peace Council discussed moving beyond skepticism and pessimism in political life. They spoke of acknowledging fear and doubt and moving forward anyway, of doing the work even thought it may feel like too little. They mentioned using mediation to move from anger to problem-solving, and of living with the tension between absolutism and accommodation; idealism and reality.

They talked of seeing those who accumulate wealth and power as feeling insecure, and therefore the need to show other avenues for security. Each one must decide the level of risk s/he is willing to take in this work, and take responsibility for one's own safety while sharing the risk with others.

Regarding political institutions, the Council talked of the proposed U.S. cabinet-level Department of Peace, of the existing U.S. Institute of Peace, and of a possible four-year Peace Academy. The Peace Alliance is working to create this Department of Peace, and we need to get the idea heard over and over again and generate a groundswell of public opinion to bring it to actualization. For instance, how would a Department of Peace have made a difference in the situation with Iraq?

Other existing institutions that already are carrying a great deal of expertise in this area and that need more support are peace and conflict studies programs in universities, peacekeeping missions at the UN, and the International Day of Peace (September 21 every year). In terms of democratic decision-making, we have models from sociocracy and Panchayat's non-political peoples' committees, but we need much more consideration about how to use these systems in cities or large groups.

In terms of influencing our culture and policies, the Council spoke of the need for a new universal symbol for a culture of peace, perhaps determined through a widely-publicized school contest with prizes, sponsors and benefactors. We need in general to be using new internet technologies like social networking to spread the message. Also in the schools we need peace and conflict resolution education to be more mainstream.

We need more collaboration locally and globally to influence governments who in turn influence culture, and to offer practical alternatives to violence, fear, and security based on force and power. We also need a large grassroots progressive base and coalition with shared goals and mission that uses education and media outreach to get the message out.

Also, we need to see unity consciousness as the basis for political decision-making, bringing spirituality and inclusiveness into the process.

On a personal basis, it's important to find something to commit to, to not be overwhelmed by the scale of change needed but to make one's contribution no matter how small or insignificant it may feel, and to blend activism with spirituality.

Resources from this Council include:

Sociocracy - www.sociocracy.info

The Peace Alliance - www.thepeacealliance.org

US Department of Peace - www.usip.org

Panchayat - www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchayat