On 21 September 2026, the JPIC International Team officially launched Artisans of Peace, bringing the Sacred Heart family together from across the world for a shared journey of peace-building.
The launch took place on the International Day of Peace and marked the beginning of an international programme that will run from September 2026 until May 2027. Through this initiative, children, young people, educators, Religious of the Sacred Heart, communities and partners in mission are being invited to explore what it means to be an artisan of peace — and to discover practical ways of building peace in their relationships, communities and wider world.
Two online launch sessions were offered across different regions and languages to learn more about the project and begin building an international community of people committed to peace.
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Superior General Claire Castaing, RSCJ spoke about the project and how it reflects the Society’s history and mission.
Participants were then introduced to the vision of Artisans of Peace, as well as the programme’s materials and resources. The sessions also included an explanation of how to navigate the project website and access the resources available for different ages and contexts.
What does it mean to be an artisan of peace?
The project begins from a simple but important conviction: peace is something we can learn, practise and build.
Being an artisan of peace is not limited to responding to large-scale conflicts. It begins in everyday life — in how we listen to one another, how we respond to disagreement, how we welcome difference, how we repair relationships and how we stand alongside people who experience injustice or exclusion.
For this reason, Artisans of Peace has been designed for participants at different stages of life. Resources are available for children, adolescents and young adults, as well as for adults, educators and animators.
The materials include activities, workshops, games, creative resources, opportunities for dialogue and formation in peace-building. They are intended to be used and adapted in schools, communities and other Sacred Heart educational contexts.
The project also creates opportunities for young people to encounter peers beyond their own countries and cultures, strengthening intercultural dialogue and a sense of global citizenship.
For schools and educational initiatives, this can mean integrating peace-building into classroom activities and community life. For young people, it can mean discovering their own capacity to contribute to dialogue and reconciliation. For adults and educators, it offers opportunities for deeper formation and reflection.
The launch also introduced a new song by Iciar Ybarra, Manos a la Obra (“Let’s get to work”), created with the support of the Fundación Sofia Barat in Spain.
Over the coming months, from September 2026 to May 2027 Sacred Heart schools, communities, educational initiatives and partners in mission are invited to explore the resources, organise activities and share their experiences. The hope is that the project will create not only individual learning, but lasting connections between people who are committed to cultivating a culture of peace.
Get inspired by these Portraits of Peace
The recording of the global launch is also available online for those who were unable to participate in the live sessions:
Section |International News|Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation
JPIC |JPIC News and Updates|JPIC Resources and Links
Tags |Artisans of Peace
