World BEYOND War Education — Latest Developments and Ways to Get Involved

Posted: 20th August 2026

A lot is happening across World BEYOND War’s education work at the moment — from recent Council of Europe work on peace education to our next facilitated course, preparations for a forthcoming book, new university-community work in Sri Lanka, and plans to reconnect our course alumni.

Here are a few updates and ways to get involved.

From adoption to action: peace education at the Council of Europe

Image: Council of Europe

On 8 July 2026, the Council of Europe adopted a new Recommendation on peace education by, with and for young people. The Recommendation provides a framework for Council of Europe member states to strengthen peace education and the meaningful participation of young people.

I contributed to this process in my capacity as an independent consultant to the Council of Europe. After authoring the feasibility study, I was subsequently commissioned to support the work of the drafting group, including preparing draft text, revising it in response to the group’s proposals, and integrating wider feedback.

With the Recommendation now adopted, attention turns to implementation and how it can be used and supported in policy, education and practice.

Read more: From Adoption to Action

War and the Environment — this October

Our next facilitated online course, War and the Environment, begins in October, drawing on up-to-date research, thinking and practice and featuring a diverse new team of facilitators from around the world.

The course explores the connections between war, militarism, climate change and environmental destruction, alongside nonviolent alternatives and possibilities for action.

At a time of intensifying climate and ecological pressures, the environmental impacts of war and militarism deserve far more attention.

From a War System to a Global Peace System

We are preparing for the publication of From a War System to a Global Peace System: A Guide to a World BEYOND War.

Building on A Global Security System: An Alternative to War, the new book develops WBW’s framework for understanding the War System, envisioning alternatives to it, and considering how change can be advanced. It is organised around three parts:

·        Understanding the War System — what it is, how it works, what sustains it, the harms it causes, and why it should be replaced.

·        Envisioning a Global Peace System — how alternatives can be strengthened through three interconnected pathways: Creating a Culture of Peace, Demilitarising Security, and Transforming Conflict Without Violence.

·        Building the Transition — how individuals and groups can help turn ideas into action and contribute to wider change.

We hope the book will support learning, discussion and action, rather than simply be read. Alongside its publication, we are exploring launch events, book discussions, teaching resources, workshops, courses, research and partnerships connected to its themes.

If your university, school, organisation, chapter or community might be interested in hosting a talk, workshop, book discussion or launch event, please get in touch.

Explore the Global Security System framework

Supporting peace education and youth action in Sri Lanka

We are also developing a new university-community collaboration in Sri Lanka, building on World BEYOND War’s Peace Education and Action for Impact (PEAI) approach and our earlier work in the country in 2025.

Beginning in 2027, the initiative will work with eight universities across different parts of Sri Lanka, alongside the Social Reconciliation Centre network, Rotary and other partners, to strengthen peace education, youth leadership and youth-led community action.

The 2027 programme will serve as a pilot for a wider university-based model, connecting learning with practical action in communities and linking with a national network of 19 Social Reconciliation Centres working to advance reconciliation across the country.

Through the pilot, we hope to learn what works, strengthen the model, and explore how it might subsequently be extended to support more universities across Sri Lanka.

We look forward to sharing more as the collaboration develops.

Reconnecting and growing our course community

More than 4,000 people have participated in WBW’s online courses over the years.

In 2024, we ran a dedicated Alumni Network Program, building on earlier outreach to understand what former course participants wanted from an alumni network.

The Education Team plans to reach out again shortly to hear what would be most useful now and to explore opportunities for connection, knowledge exchange, collaboration and continued involvement.

If you have taken one of our courses, we would especially like to hear what you have been doing since and how you might like to stay connected.

If you have not yet taken a World BEYOND War course, we would be glad to welcome you into the community. You can get involved by joining one of our upcoming courses, including BEYOND War’s wider community. We look forward to continuing to learn, connect and work together.

Best wishes,

Phill

Dr Phill Gittins
Education Director
World BEYOND War
worldbeyondwar.org

World BEYOND War is a global network of volunteers, chapters, and affiliated organizations advocating for the abolition of the institution of war. 
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