World BEYOND War believes that education is a critical component in building a global security system and an essential pathway toward the abolition of war.
We educate both about and for the abolition of war, engaging in formal, non-formal, and informal education woven into activism and media work. Our resources draw on research and practice that debunk the myths of war and illuminate proven nonviolent alternatives capable of providing genuine common security.
Knowledge is only useful when applied. Therefore, we encourage citizens to reflect on critical questions and engage in dialogue with peers to challenge the assumptions of the war system. Evidence shows that such critical, reflective, and participatory learning strengthens political efficacy and catalyzes action for systemic change.
This free self-paced course invites us to look at the beliefs and thinking, both personal and cultural, that have allowed war to continue for so long; and to consider what this way of thinking is costing us and our planet. Einstein said “We cannot fix a problem at the same level of consciousness that created it.”
In this free self-paced course, we identify effective strategies & tactics for engaging community members and influencing decision-makers. We explore how to utilize traditional & social media. And we look at movement-building from the perspective of “fusion” organizing and nonviolent civil resistance.
Peace Education and Action for Impact (PEAI) is a peacebuilding and leadership program with youth-led, intergenerational, and cross-cultural learning, dialogue, and action at its core.
PEAI was developed in collaboration with the Rotary Action Group for Peace and is delivered in partnership with local and global organizations, including members of Rotary International—a global network of 1.4 million business and professional leaders in more than 46,000 clubs worldwide.
Yes. Whether you are looking for:
WBW covers all the key topics and trends specific to peace and anti-war efforts.
Explore our free, curated Anti-War and Pro-Peace Resource Database, featuring articles, toolkits, podcasts, infographics, presentations, films, music, and more.
Use the search and filter functions to find exactly what you need by resource type, topic, or language.
Resources are regularly updated to reflect new research and emerging trends.
Yes. WBW provides a vast selection of resources designed to connect and support educators, including study guides, discussion prompts, lesson plans, and more.
For example, Study War No More is a free learning tool developed by World BEYOND War in partnership with the Global Campaign for Peace Education. It features study and action partners, addresses issues relevant to abolishing the war system from demilitarization, disarmament, and nonviolence to the role of civil society and global security, and is used by educators, activists, and community groups around the world.
Visit the Events page to view and register for upcoming events.
Yes, recordings of many past webinars, workshops, and conferences are available on the WBW YouTube channel and website.
WBW offers a range of flexible online courses, including both paid and free options. Some courses have set start dates, enrollment deadlines, and live sessions, while others are self-paced.
Paid Courses
Free Courses
Special Programs
Yes, WBW offers a limited number of scholarships, particularly for participants from the Global South.
Members of the WBW community also contribute additional funds to help others in need attend and benefit from participating in our online courses.
For details, email education@worldbeyondwar.org.
For WBW’s 6-week online courses: Participants who complete all assignments receive a certificate of completion.
For the Peace Education and Action for Impact (PEAI) program: Participants receive two certificates—one for Part I (Education) and one for Part II (Action).
WBW’s programs are open to everyone, including students, educators, activists, media professionals, policymakers, and researchers.
Most courses are conducted in English, but WBW is working to expand options, in French and Spanish.
Besides educational resources and online courses, WBW also offers a variety of programs and services designed to engage, educate, and support individuals and organizations dedicated to working towards a world beyond war. Our collaborations include partnerships with renowned institutions such as the UN, Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Europe, OSCE, Rotary, Institute for Economics and Peace, International Peace Bureau, the Global Campaign for Peace Education, and more.
Below is a brief overview of some of our work and key partners.
Workshops & Training
We deliver workshops and training sessions to build capacity and promote peace. Examples include peace camps in Bolivia and Montenegro, summer schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and workshops in Austria, Colombia, and Serbia.
Keynotes, Lectures, and Panels
We contribute to discourse through keynotes, lectures, and panel discussions at major events and academic institutions. Examples include speaking at the Alliance for Peacebuilding, Conflict Research Society, Geneva Peace Week, and universities such as Cambridge (UK), Makerere (Uganda), and Chulalongkorn (Thailand).
Customized Training & Advisory Support
We provide tailored training and advisory services to address specific needs. Examples include peace weeks in UK schools and semester-long peace education courses at Adelphi University (USA) and the University of the Punjab (Pakistan).
Resource Toolkits & Educational Materials
We create practical resources to support pro-peace and anti-war efforts. Examples Include lesson plans for Quakers and contributions to online courses for GiZ.
Consultancy & Expert Guidance
We offer expert consultancy to inform peace education policy and practice. Notably, we conducted a feasibility study for the Council of Europe, with recommendations adopted to inform the development of a Formal Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation on Peace Education in Informal Education & Youth Work.
Webinars & Online Learning
We design, host, and participate in online learning initiatives. Examples include webinars and virtual events organized with or by the Commonwealth Secretariat, African Union, Rotary, and the Institute for Economics and Peace.
Publications & Thought Leadership
We contribute to research, policy, and programming through publications. Examples include A Global Security System: An Alternative to War, used by universities and community groups and work with or by University College London, London School of Economics, Kroc School of Peace Studies, International Alert, and British Council.
Alumni can join the Alumni Network, a vibrant and growing community of over 3,000 members who share our vision and are working towards a world beyond war.
WBW actively engages its alumni community through dedicated programs and events. In 2024, WBW launched a year-long education and action program exclusively for alumni, offering mentorship, networking, and collaborative opportunities.
Learn more about the WBW Alumni Network Program 2024.
Yes, WBW offers internships for individuals from a wide range of educational backgrounds and interests. Internship opportunities are flexible and depend on the evolving needs of our Education Department. Recent examples include:
There is no formal application process for internships. Interested candidates should email education@worldbeyondwar.org.
In addition to Education Department internships, WBW offers a range of other internships including in the fields of Organizing/Activism, Development/Fundraising, and Research. Please contact info@worldbeyondwar.org if you are interested in interning in any of these fields.
Please email our Education Director, Phill Gittins, at education@worldbeyondwar.org.
Phill Gittins, PhD, is World BEYOND War’s Education Director. Phill has over 20 years of leadership, programming, and analysis experience in the areas of peace, education, psychology, youth, and community development. He has lived, worked, and travelled in over 60 countries across 6 continents; taught in schools, colleges, and universities around the world; and trained thousands on peace and social change-related issues. Other experience includes work in youth offending prisons; developing, launching, and overseeing a wide range of large and small-scale programmes and projects; as well as consultancy assignments for public, private, and non-profit organisations. Phill has received multiple awards for his work, including a Rotary Peace Fellowship, KAICIID Fellowship, and Kathryn Davis Fellow for Peace. He is also a Positive Peace Activator and Global Peace Index Ambassador for the Institute for Economics and Peace. He earned his PhD in International Conflict Analysis, MA in Education, and BA in Youth and Community Studies. He also holds postgraduate qualifications in Peace and Conflict Studies, Education and Training, and Teaching in Higher Education, and is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist as well as a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and project manager. Phill sits on the board for the Journal of Peace Education. Phill can be reached at phill@worldbeyondwar.org.
World BEYOND War staff and other speakers have spoken to numerous offline and online groups. Often we have tried to measure the impact by polling those present at the beginning and end with the question “Can war ever be justified?”
In a general audience (not self-selected to already oppose war) or in a school classroom, typically at the beginning of an event almost everyone will say that war can sometimes be justified, while at the end almost everyone will say that war can never be justified. This is the power of providing basic information that is rarely provided.
When speaking to a peace group, typically a smaller percentage begins by believing that war can be justified, and a somewhat smaller percentage professes that belief at the end.
We also try to bring in and persuade new audiences through public debates on the same question, offline and on. And we ask the debate moderators to poll the audience at the beginning and end.
World BEYOND War has developed quite a number of 6-week online courses that it has offered directly to the public once or multiple times and will likely offer again in the future. Each of the following courses is available for schools, universities, community groups, and organizations to offer in collaboration with WBW. Contact us if interested. We’ve partnered with Adelphi University and the University of the Punjab.
Also read about how World BEYOND War’s Education Director Contributes to the Development of a Council of Europe Recommendation on Peace Education.
How can we become more effective advocates and activists for ending particular wars, ending all wars, pursuing disarmament, and creating systems that maintain peace? More.
With what do we replace the war system (aka the military- industrial- corporate- governmental complex)? What truly makes us secure? More.
World War II is not a good justification for military spending and war planning, both because WWII happened in a very different world from today’s, and because common beliefs about the nature of and justifications for WWII are false. More.
This course is about the Monroe Doctrine – what it is, how it’s been used and abused over the years since 1823, and why it needs to be buried. More.
The call to end war is not just about peace and security: it is essential for the survival and flourishing of humanity and the planet. More.
What should innocent people impacted by war do when their homes are invaded by the military? This course provides an in-depth introduction to unarmed civilian defense (UCD) with a focus on the role it can play in resisting military force, invasion, occupation, dictatorship, and warfare. More.
This course explores how legal systems enable, constrain, and challenge war. Through case studies, legal texts, historical examples, and participatory discussions, you will examine how law has been used to justify war and violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and envision alternatives. More.
This course explores how artistic and cultural forms shape war, peace, and public imagination — and how they can be used more intentionally in peace and anti-war work. More.
Got questions? Fill out this form to email our team directly!
