The Peace Studies Center is located on the edge of a former battlefield. An exceptionally bloody battle took place here on a Sunday afternoon in july 471 years ago. Analogous to the well-known motto "swords to ploughshares" we redesign this to "battlefields to playing fields". The participants of the work camp will design different elements of this playing field. This means manual work with wood, metal, earth and colour. Anyone who appreciates creative work can work on some piece of art under expert guidance, which is to be developed on the topics of the reconciliation work done by “Community of the Coventry Cross of Nails”, CCN. This is an international Community; a worldwide network of churches, institutions and places which works closely with Coventry Cathedral for peace and reconciliation. In total, there are 50 members across Germany and over 200 worldwide. Coventry was one of the first towns which was destroyed by German Bombers in World War II. For the Community of the Cross of Nails, standing up for peace and reconciliation means to heal the wounds of history, to recognize differences and to value diversity, and to create a culture of peace.
Accomodation and food
The accommodation for the participants is offered in rooms with four beds each. There are bed sheets available. Food is prepared together in the kitchen of the seminar house.
Location and leisure
For the leisure time, the group can use facilities of the seminar house and take part in excursions to Hannover and Braunschweig.
Project hosted by
The Peace Studies Center in Sievershausen (Antikriegswerkstatt Sievershausen) was established in the premises of the Sievershausen Lutheran Church community more than 50 years ago. During that time, the Vietnam War escalated. Nowadays there are several buildings, including a guesthouse and the well-known "Anti-War House" with an assembly hall for our events, located in a park-like area along with a church older than 1000 years on the edge of the village. The peace center shows through its diverse program, that peace work has political, historical, educational and cultural aspects. Throughout the year one can visit exhibitions, author readings, lectures and many cultural events. The peace education offers of the seminar area include teaching units, trainings for school classes and church groups on current and historical topics.
You will learn some essentials of peace work and receive basic training in non-violent conflict management by professional trainers. Moreover, the respect for Human Rights und circumstances of war and climate change is being discussed. We will visit the memorial in the former Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to meet young people and families in die region, the group will also invite people of the village and region to an “Evening of encounter” (Abend der Begegnung) at the Peace Center.