The Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre has worked since 1980 to promote nonviolence, human rights, conflict resolution, disarmament and ecological sustainability and to create a culture of peace across Scotland. We aim to act as a catalyst for a more peaceful and just Scotland.
In 2020 we changed our name to simply ‘Peace & Justice’ and became a Scotland-wide organisation.
Peace Centre
P&J has always strived to be a resource centre for peace, social justice and community groups across Edinburgh and beyond. We’ve had many homes over the years, but for a while recently we were unable to afford a physical centre.
In November 2022 we developed a partnership with fellow peace organisers Secure Scotland and, thanks to their generosity, we now share an operating base and shop front at 58 Ratcliffe Terrace EH9 1ST.
The centre is open 10-4pm Monday to Friday. Please pop in and say hello.
The shop has some books to browse and regularly runs small art exhibitions.
The centre also has meeting room space to hire – contact us if you are interested in using our facilities.
P&J Events
Our regular events through the year include marking Conscientious Objectors’ day in May, and holding an alternative remembrance day event in November. We also celebrate UN International Peace Day on 21 September with the Carnall Peace Prize, awarded to a person or organisation who has done outstanding work for peace in the world.
Our Projects
We are running two new projects at the P&J. Find out more here
We also continue to be involved in the Opposing War Memorial development and recently put up a commemorative plaque next to a handkerchief tree in Princes Street Gardens, as well as a commemorative bench.
More about the Opposing War Memorial project.
Older Projects
Read on to find our more about some of our older projects…
For many years, The Peace & Justice Centre ran Cooperative Games sessions in schools across Edinburgh and Glasgow. Working through Cooperative games and activities the foundation sessions helped to develop a culture of peace and begin to address conflict. Further conflict resolution sessions could build skills in class groups to prevent and resolve conflict and within schools to put in place processes for restorative justice.
A more in-depth programme followed on from the Cooperative Games course and builds towards a whole school approach with training for teachers and pupils in class groups to develop sustainable practices in Nonviolent Communication, a Restorative Practice of Conflict Resolution, and Peer Mediation . This work can be explored here and will inform a new programme.
140,000 Origami Cranes: Remembering Hiroshima Project
The origami cranes project gave us the chance to engage people in their communities to remember all those killed by the Hiroshima atom bomb and raise awareness of the Treaty On the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as well as learning a new creative skill.
Our new exhibition, emerging through the arts and activism programme, is Consequences, which will be preented at Out of The Blue in Ausgust 2022. Consequences focusses on the humanitarian, political and envoronmental impact that nuclear weapons have and continue to have in the world since 1945, captured in a range of media and as well as images and prints, the poetry Library has partnered with P and J for this event. see more about Consequences. Find more info about Scottish work for the TPNW
Conscientious Objectors Memorial Project
The Peace and Justice Centre is now working with UN House Scotland and a consortium of organisations in Edinburgh and across Scotland to establish a memorial to Conscientious Objectors and all those who oppose wars Find out more about the project.
Campaigning for Divestment from the Arms Trade
We have teamed up with Edinburgh Campaign Against the Arms Trade to call on the Lothian Pensions Fund to divest from arms companies. Peace & Justice Centre Coordinator Brian Larkin testified at the Petitions Committee (testimony starts at 8 minutes) of Edinburgh City Council.
Don’t Bank on the Bomb Scotland
The Peace and Justice Centre initiated the formation of a network in Scotland working on the Don’t Bank on the Bomb campaign, based on the work done by Pax in the Netherlands and the Don’t Bank on the Bomb Report. Keep up to date and find out how to get involved with this programme CLICK HERE.
We organised a launch of the campaign in Scotland with a public meeting and an event at Scottish Parliament. Read the report from the launch here.
Internship Programme and Student Work Placements
Most of the work of the Peace & Justice Centre is done by volunteers. We offer lots of great Volunteer and internship opportunities for people to get involved, learn skills and make a difference. For more info CLICK HERE.
