Peacebuilding Institute of East Tennessee (PIET)

PIET began in 2000, as a local initiative to gather peacebuilders from around the world for the purpose of deepening our understanding of the work of peace, and developing mutually supportive worldwide relationships. PIET�s mandate is to prepare and individuals to practice peacebuilding and nonviolence from an ecumenical and interfaith perspective.

PIET offers several programs each year, which provide opportunities to learn peacebuilding, nonviolence and nonviolent communication techniques, and to network with others. Annual events include a Winter Nonviolence Workshop (January-February), Summer Peacebuilding Institute (May-June), and a Fall Peacebuilders Workshop (September-October).

PIET has a broad mandate to organize and educate for the practice of peacebuilding from an ecumenical and interfaith perspective. We believe peacebuilding is one area of practice that is integral to the teachings of Christ, and one that Christianity holds in common with a number of other religious traditions, notably Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Baha�i. At least one of these religious traditions is pervasive in each of the great world civilizations and, therefore, offers a broad base on which to build both a philosophical grounding for peacebuilding and peacebuilding practices.

Many of the religions named above have representation on the ICS Board of Directors. We partner with Protestant, Catholic, and Anabaptist churches, with the religious centers and educational institutions of Islam and Baha�i, and with other non-profit organizations worldwide [such as Justipaz in Colombia and WIAM in Palestine] to initiate, implement, and sustain peacebuilding programs. We currently have affiliate peacebuilders in approximately 90 nations.

In 2008, because of requests from around the world, PIET established guidelines for affiliate chapters both in the United States and other countries. The first country to establish an affiliate chapter was Vietnam, included now on this website as Vietnam Institute for Nonviolence (VINV), directed by Chau Thi Phuong Tan. In the United States, a new affiliate is being established in Atlanta, Georgia under the direction of Paula Larke. See List of Supported Programs on this website.

===========================================

For additional information about the United States, go to
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/united_states.htm

===========================================

PIET BOOK NOTES
(Click on Title for Review)

Douglass, James. JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters. (Orbis Books, 2008). A review by John K. Stoner, Akron, PA, founder of Every Church A Peace Church and member of Akron Mennonite Church. �Read this book, fortify yourself with truth, and engage the principalities and powers with power that is greater than their powers of nuclear weapons and death.�

Phillips, Kevin. American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century. Penguin Books, 2006, 2007. 394 pages. A review by Gerald W. Bone. �The war for oil, the attack on science and reason, and the ongoing economic crises are all grave threats to our freedoms, our lives and the future of our children and grandchildren. We�d better begin to counterattack against these three evils or we, our nation and the world could all be Left Behind.�

Rosenberg, Marshall B. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. and Speak Peace in a World of Conflict: What You Say Next Will Change Your World.-- Dr. Rosenberg, in these two books, has shown a practical way to bring about peace � peace within ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world.

ARTICLES
(Click on Title to read Article)

Thoughts on Reducing World Poverty, by Bob Rundle
A major challenge to the way we do economics

Reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by Don Timmerman

New Slant on Angry God Atonement Theory, by Michael L. Sherer

The Power Paradox, by Dacher Keltner

Goodbye Old World, Hello New, by James L. Foster

Peacebuilding Organization Links