History

In the early 80's Pathways To Peace (PTP) launched a new phase of peacebuilding which became known as Peace Within Organizations (PWO). Our focus was on a vision of peacebuilding through business. This vision has been part of PWO since it's launching activity, a symposium at Stanford University on September 17, 1985, where the lead question was, "What is the relationship between corporations, business and peace?" This powerful and fulfilling experience inspired further meetings at 2-4 times a year. There have been defining moments over this 15 year period of exploration, when the concept of peacebuilding through business has taken new form and emphasis.

In 1995, surrounding World Peace Day, Avon Mattison of Pathways To Peace, and Willis Harman of The Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Director of PTP, launched the PeaceBuilding Inquiry into The 21st Century (PB21). The invited members of this extraordinary 5 year inquiry were business leaders and planners, educators, writers, community leaders, United Nations officials and governmental leaders.

This inquiry began with two paths. The first was a Symposium on "Peace Through Science", co-sponsored by the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) and Pathways To Peace (PTP). The second was a symposium on "We The People's Initiative: PeaceBuilding Through Business, co-sponsored by PTP and the Fetzer Institute, in association with the World Business Academy.

It was the intention of the originating organization, Pathways To Peace, that the inquiry would eventually encompass several sectors which are common to all societies and which could potentially contribute to building Cultures of Peace for the children of this and future generations. It was decided to focus initially on two critical sectors, business/economics and science - which are impacting both collective thought worldwide and global institutions.

Multinational business is one of the most potent forces shaping economics, politics, and media, often replacing nation-states in directing the course of international affairs, and affecting the quality of all life. Modern science shapes our fundamental worldview, including our perceptions of the nature of human beings, our institutions, and our societies. Thus began a primary focus on PeaceBuilding Through Business. Avon Mattison and David Wick were co-facilitators of these biannual symposia held at Fetzer Institute in Michagin. The idea of creating PeaceBuilding.com came from these symposia.

Between September 1995 and September 2000, this inquiry was synthesized and expanded into an integrated focus on PeaceBuilding through governance and culture and other sectors of our global system.