Towards a People’s Peace

Too often, social movements are sidelined when peace negotiations begin—even though they are often the ones who put justice and peace on the agenda in the first place. But what if peace wasn’t dominated by Track II negotiations with diplomats and armed actors? Social movements have always had a central role in shaping a just and lasting peace. What if we start our processes there?

In preparation for the Copenhagen People Power Conference, the Global Social Movement Centre (MOVE) brought together activists, peacebuilders, and allies from conflict zones worldwide to explore these questions at a convening in Arusha, Tanzania. Through workshops, discussions, and collective writing, they began envisioning what a People’s Peace—a peace rooted in grassroots action—could look like.

This book brings together cutting-edge research and first-person accounts from activists and peacebuilders on the frontlines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka, alongside insights for a global solidarity movement from activists in Palestine, Ukraine, and Lebanon. It offers a bold vision for how movements can shape peace and security, and practical lessons for policymakers and allies committed to supporting peace from below.