Peaceworks is a non-profit initiative. Support our programmes which use the arts to strengthen values of peaceful coexistence in non-formal schools for disadvantaged children, workshops for teachers, a peace curriculum for school children.

The projects that we are currently seeking support for are:

Theatre Productions:
"Peacewards" was the outcome of a ten day Actors Workshop conducted by well-known theatre and television personality Jayant Kripalani with a group of talented young people. It is in the form of an ensemble theatre production, comprising a series of short pieces interspersed with live music performed by the rock band Insomnia. Award-winning playwright Manjula Padmanabhan had contributed a suite of five monologues on the theme of non-violence and peace for this occasion. The monologues strongly reiterate that secularism is good, sectarianism is bad, and violence unacceptable. That Peacewards is where we should be going. The monologues have been performed individually in various schools and seminars since then. In " Lights Out " director Jayant Kripalani turned the lights on the festering wounds of society that people choose not to see. The play, a black comedy written by Manjula Padmanabhan was presented by Seagull Foundation's young theatre group. Based on an eye-witness account of a true incident that had taken place in Mumbai in 1982, the play compellingly explores the often hypocritical attitude of society towards women who are victims of violence. Both these proscenium productions were extremely well-received by the young people who were able to see the performances and created awareness regarding issues that need urgently to be addressed. Lack of funds has not permitted further shows of these plays. In order to create awareness and sensitize the youth, we need sponsors for the events.

Peace Talks
The overall aim of the PeaceWorks programme is building peace, helping strengthen values of mutual coexistence and instilling respect for all communities in young persons. Organising Peace Talks by well-known peace activists, writers, film-makers etc. to be delivered to the youth persons is a part of this agenda. Well-known activists like Dilip Simeon, Prushottam Agarwal and Subhashini Ali have addressed and been able to enthuse and inspire the youth of the city during their visits to Calcutta on issues concerning peace. Financial assistance to meet the speakers' expenses for travel and accommodation would enable us to organize many more meaningful Peace Talks.

National Debate
We need sponsors in order to hold a national level debate for school children on "Peace Works: The debate. Or debating peace. The need for a better definition of peace. What is it? Why is it in danger of losing its life? Who is responsible for keeping it? Or breaking it?" The debate would be held in six cities across the country and the national final would be held in Delhi. A Peace Trophy would be awarded to the winning team and the three best 'speeches' would be transcribed and published in a special broadsheet for distribution to schools after the event.

Peace Films
The PeaceWorks project to make Peace Films is another project awaiting funding. We intend to send invitations outlining the basic philosophy of PeaceWorks to filmmakers in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal to submit proposals for film concepts. A panel of experts would be invited to review and shortlist 15 of these proposals. The short listed film makers would be given two months to produce their films. They would be given a budget for their films. We would also plan a high-profile release function showcasing the commissioned films for peace followed by a panel discussion where the selected film makers would be asked to speak on peace issues in their national contexts.

Peaceworks is also actively building a peace films archive that forms an active part of our programme with the schools where they are screened. The peaceworks film archives purchases as well as receives personal donations of films and documentaries and requests their non-commercial use for the purposes of its school and educational screening programmes.