FESTIVAL OF SPIRITUALITY AND PEACE 2008

BE THE CHANGE .. Wellbeing of People and Planet

In 1947, after the devastation of war, the Edinburgh International Festival was conceived to ‘provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit’. The Festival of Spirituality and Peace seeks to reawaken the heart of the festival for people who, after 9/11, want to work together for a peaceful future.

Welcome to the Festival of Spirituality and Peace

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. For there to be peace, there has to be fullness of life for all and a creative harmony in our relationships with one another and with the planet.

This peace expresses humanity at its most spiritual or, as some would say, at its most ‘fully human’. It is what the Festival of Spirituality and Peace seeks to be – a place that brings the wisdom of the ages together with the creativity of contemporary artists and thinkers, to address the issues of our day. It is place of discourse, for people of all ‘faiths’ and none.

Therefore you are invited and all are welcome. We are one of a number of Festivals in Edinburgh during August and we seek to re-awaken the original spirit of the Edinburgh Festivals as we share the same original hope-full spirit – to work for peace in a troubled world. We hope you will be part of our endeavour and contribute your own passion for peace.

Introduction to the  2008 programme

“Be the change you want to see in the world” is one of the wise sayings attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, who – like so many people of enduring influence – put these words into effect in his own life.

Gandhi’s grandson, Arun, will be with us to reflect on the Mahatma’s example - and of those who have followed it in the last 60 years bringing about change which has contributed to human wellbeing.

We know that the world now faces formidable challenges which question our ability to change creatively and peacefully. Climate change threatens human civilisation (not the planet as is so often claimed) Furthermore, there are significant threats to international peace through clashes over land, beliefs and world views, and competition for resources.

Do we have the wise leadership and the inner resources – the spirituality – which will help us navigate these difficult times? Where are the architects of positive, creative and sustainable change and peace for the 21st century? Could it be you!?

This Festival is designed to bring together people who are role models and leaders of change; people who can inform, inspire and motivate us to make or continue to act for positive, sustainable and peaceful change – global transformation begins with the individual and this is our own personal responsibility.

At the Festival of Spirituality and Peace we pose the question to ourselves and to you: what change will you be?

Shalom, Salaam, Pax.

Welcome.

Donald Reid and Victor Spence - FoSP Directors

Our Call for Your Support!

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting those with a practical vision for peace. Each year we will partner with a humanitarian cause and 50p from each ticket sold will go directly to support projects. This year we will support a project supporting street children in Ghana.