Peace and just development go together in powerful ways. Unjust development and violent conflict do also. That is the message that United Methodist Women and partners explored in depth on September 19, 2014, at the Church Center for the United Nations in observance of the International Day of Peace.
Talking about ‘The Things That Make for Peace,’ story on umc.org
Since 2015, United Methodist Women has been organizing the Women’s Dialogue project, where plans are made to make women active participants in the peace process.
United Methodist Women's Dialogue Project Promotes Women, Peace and Security
International Day of Peace
Local, district and conference United Methodist Women can work for peace on any day of the year. Engage local UMWomen, your church and your broader faith community in study and dialogue about peace building.
- Bible Study for the International Day of Peace
In the words of Jesus from Luke 19:42: “Would that you knew this day the things that make for peace.”
- Creating Development Goals That Bring Peace to All People’s Lives
Take a look at the crises of food, water, the environment, economics and climate. Billions of people suffer, holding little power, while an elite few maintain control of the world's resources.
This documentary shows the powerful and inspiring community response to intolerance after deadly hate crime shootings at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Part of the Working Together for Safe, Inclusive Communities Initiative, it is a collaboration between Not In Our Town and Community Oriented Policing Services.
Request a free DVD Hold a screening
Women as Peacemakers is the subject of a fairly recent United Nations resolution, but it has long been part of the work of faith-filled women. Since the 1950s, when we participated in practical steps toward developing the Church Center for the United Nations, through to this year when we brought together United Methodist women from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to talk about what might prepare the way for peace in the Great Lakes region, we have been investing in peacemaking. It is good news for the whole world that God desires peace, and that peace will be established as part of the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is amazing that we get to be part of spreading the word and taking practical steps to make peace possible.
Harriett Jane Olson, response: Responsively Yours: September 2013
Video:
Right Relationship with Neighbor
Watch this conversation among Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith leaders that took place in the wake of 9/11.
Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: Language About God and People, a study of inclusive language, is another resource to revisit in these challenging times. Print and downloadable versions are available through 
cokesbury.com.
Workshop Resources
Land-grabbing and Women's Livelihoods
In many rural areas around the world, women are the farmers who put food on the table for their families.
U.S. Militarism and Women in the Asia-Pacific
As the United States withdraws troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Defense Department has announced its "Asia Pacific Pivot," which involves increasing U.S. troops, bases and weaponry throughout the region in a potential standoff with China.