Peace Cafe Advocates Change in Thinking

Selkirk College’s Mir Centre for Peace and the Cocoa-Nut Lounge in Nelson have joined together in the name of peace, up-stream thinking, coffee and meaningful conversation.

The “Peace Café” is a new, ongoing initiative that will provide an opportunity for individuals to produce community-based solutions for global challenges and will encourage “reconciliation and connection” through open discussion.  

Facilitator and Instructor of Psychology, Victor Villa, says the purpose of the Peace Café is to engage the general public in dialogue on important issues. “Using a philosophy of non-violent communication, the Peace Café’s aim is to educate people not only about peace, but through peace,” says Victor. “Our goal is to help facilitate changes in people’s thinking…from the heart.”

Discussions during the Peace Café will not always focus on topics such as peace and war, but will also explore other worldwide predicaments. This month’s topic will feature a viewing of the film "How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" which focuses on how Cuba transitioned from large, fossil-fuel intensive farming to small, less energy-intensive organic farm and urban gardens, and from a highly industrial society to a more sustainable one.

Randy Janzen, Instructor of Health and Human Services and Mir Programming Council member, is looking forward to the growth and effects of the Peace Café. “This is a perfect chance to solicit input from our West Kootenay communities,” explains Janzen. “We see this as a way to build up the mainstream peace and advocacy groups and to reach out to individuals outside of these ‘movements’ to encourage new ideas and perspectives.”  

The Peace Café is free of charge and will be held on Wednesday, Mar 18th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Cocoa-Nut Lounge, 116 Vernon Street in Nelson. An additional discussion will take place on Saturday, April 18th where the Canadian premier of the documentary film “Myths for Profit: Canada's Role in Industries of War and Peace” will be shown.  If you are interested in hosting the Peace Café or would like more information, please call Selkirk College at 250.365.7292 ext 485.

First published on March 09, 2009