Peace Weaving Activity

Peace weaving activities laid out on a black tablecloth with colorful string

About

On April 13, 2023, the spring Social Impact Studio in theatre facilitated a Peace Weaving activity at a creative workshop with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Dorchester.

The workshop was an opportunity for community members to take part in the transformation of the first of seven “Peace Poles," which are telephone poles located along the route of the organization’s Mothers Day Walk for Peace fundraiser in Dorchester.

The decoration of each pole is inspired by one of the seven Principles of Peace: Love, Unity, Faith, Hope, Courage, Justice, and Forgiveness. The April workshop was focused on the principle of Unity.

Download activity sheet

A Look Inside the Co-Creation Process

Five individuals performing on a stage; two kneeling, two standing, and one holding flowers

"As a class, we wanted to create an opening and closing activity that would hopefully spark some creativity and allow us all to connect with one another. We were inspired by the Peace Institute's seven principles of peace and the Institute's practice of consistently checking in with these principles, so we created an interactive peace weaving activity, which involves knotting seven pieces of yarn, and also involved some story sharing practices around each principle. As the participants designed their ribbons, we collected statements about their connection to the word Unity."

— Camille Cappello

Social Impact Studios, facilitated by the Engagement Lab, give Emerson students and faculty the opportunity to work directly with local grassroots changemakers to co-create media projects that will make an impact in Boston and beyond.

This activity was co-created in Spring 2023's Social Impact Studio in theatre, in partnership with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.

Learn more about the studio