Quick Facts

What is Peace X Peace?

Peace X Peace is an international women's organization based in Washington DC and on the internet. It connects women directly to one another across cultures to  create a more balanced, peaceful world where our lives, stories, and voices are valued and honored. In the safe environment of its online Global Network women and women's Circles communicate directly to form supportive friendships, educate and mentor each other, share expertise, design projects and initiatives, and deepen their commitments. All our supporting programs honor women's wisdom. It's what the world needs now!

In addition to connecting into a Circle through the Global Network, members are encouraged to read, listen, and contribute to inspiring interviews, stories, and conference calls that tap the wisdom and experience of women in Afghanistan, Brazil, South Africa, India, and dozens of other countries.

They complete a profile that allows every woman and every Circle to share who they are, their interests, and their purposes for wanting to connect. Once the profile is completed our system pulls up profiles of women and Circles who share their interests. They review these profiles and invite a connection. Once the invitation is accepted, communications flow through and within the Global Network. Each member and each Circle decides how to shape the friendship and the purpose of their connection. We encourage all members of Circles to be part of the communication. To ensure transparency and shared leadership, every communication is visible to all members of every Circle.

What are some of the reasons why women connect globally?

As you can imagine, it varies. Here are some of the reason we have heard from our members:

• Wanting to know about the day to day lives of women in other parts of the world
• Wanting to know what is really happening, beyond what we hear in the news
• Supporting each other in tackling tough issues like violence against women, poverty, and injustice
• Casual friendship and curiosity about traditions, crafts, religion, and childrearing
• Sharing of projects and resources

What is a woman's Circle?

A woman's Circle is a way of gathering that women have used for centuries. The Circle is a sacred and safe space where women can share their stories and be honored, affirmed, renewed, and refreshed. There are formal and informal Circles, but the space created in either should be one of trust, confidentiality, and inclusion. Some Circles are quiet and meditative while others are lively and creative. They meet as often as the members decide. It is a powerful model that is growing throughout the world to empower women's wisdom. Go to our Virtual Classroom and Creating Circles to learn more.

Peace X Peace members who meet in Circle follow Circle principles, or principles for peacebuilding:

• Speak one at a time.
• Affirm the contributions of each member.
• Promote open and honest communication.
• Listen actively without judgment.
• Offer experience instead of advice.
• Invite silence when in doubt.
• Share leadership and resources.
• Make decisions by consensus.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Practicing Circle Principles (and it does take practice!) provides win/win solutions, creating a setting where everyone shares equally and is equally valued.

How will Peace X Peace help me if I decide to join or form a Circle?

We have written materials, recorded information, live member support, translation services, staff members in our Washington DC office and around the world, and a growing number of Global Liaisons. We are here to answer questions and provide support. Our Virtual Classroom is the comprehensive space that will guide you from thinking about getting started to actually being in Circle and moving through the growth stages of a long-term friendship.

What do women talk about in Global Network Circles?

They often begin slowly and politely as they get to know each other. They talk about their lives, their families, the work they do, and the places where they live. You are free to shape the conversation as you wish. After a number of exchanges, most find that the spark of what they hold in common begins to light up the new friendship.

Some Circles have a common interest or mission. Educators bring their students to learn new nursing and health care practices. Business mentors work with women to lift their small businesses off the ground. Recently, a group of grandmothers connected with other grandmothers to talk about indigenous wisdom, the environment, and childrearing. Still others share models for opening abuse shelters for girls and networking to end trafficking.

I am so busy! How much time is this going to take, anyway?

When you fill out your profile you will indicate the amount of time and frequency of communication that suits your schedule. Most Circles communicate once a week to once a month.

Am I going to be overwhelmed with pitiful stories about how hard women's lives are?

Circle members will set the tone together. If your Circle shares tough topics, remind yourself of the power of compassionate listening. Listening is often more powerful than any action we may take to relieve ourselves of the anxiety of emotion. We often hear that women simply need an ear. You may need to set boundaries and shift the tone of the conversation. We have beautifully written guides to help with expectations, money issues and friendship, covenants for sound relationships building, and a guide to communicating across cultures.

I am not ready to join a Circle at this time. Can I still participate?

You can enjoy many Peace X Peace programs as a member without being in a direct match. Some members return to The Women's Global Roundtable, Voice X Voice, Story X Story, Page X Page, our PeaceTimes newsletter, and other programs many times before they join or convene a Circle.

How do I find Peace X Peace members in my country or region?

Our Global Liaisons are our hearts and voices around the world.  Right now most of them are in North Africa and the Middle East. We also have a World Travelers Directory that allows you to find any member who has chosen to share her information and contact her.

How do you reach women without internet connectivity? And women in rural areas?

Women in remote and resource-poor areas have been highly resourceful. Usually one person in the Circle has internet access and can manage the Circle's communication for her sisters. Our profile has been downloaded, printed off hundreds of times, and distributed manually throughout the villages of Africa. One hearty soul took a stack of application forms and registered all the women in her village into our Global Network. Read "But I don't have a computer" to learn more.

How was Peace X Peace started?

Peace X Peace began in 2002 when Patricia Smith Melton, a poet, playwright, film maker, and photographer, gathered six experts in peace and women's rights from around the world to discern a women's response to the violence of 9/11/2001. The organization was incorporated as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit and hired its first staff person at the end of that year. It launched a website and an online news service and began connecting US women with women outside the US, across geographic and cultural divides, through the internet.

How is Peace X Peace funded?

Our founder Patricia Smith Melton and her husband Bill graciously funded most Peace X Peace activities in our early years. In the next several years their funds must be replaced by other contributions. Peace X Peace has a funding strategy and a full-time Director of Development. To date, in order to maintain a neutral platform where women can communicate freely, we have not accepted government funding.

Is Peace X Peace only for women?

No. Because women must claim their power and fulfill their potential as leaders alongside men, we recommend that the majority of the members in a Peace X Peace Circle be women, and we do not connect men as individuals. Men are welcomed as members of Peace X Peace and encouraged to participate in women-led Circles within the Global Network, where they can bring their own abilities to nurture, listen, and work as one among equals.

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