Start Your Own Vigil

To start a vigil all you need is a commitment to a cause that falls into the category of "against war and for justice". That's the main thing.
Below is a description of how many vigils work, but you can establish any formats or rules you like. Remember: every vigil is autonomous. You don't have to ask permission about anything from anybody, other than your own group.

Here are some general guidelines:

(1) What's a vigil?
A vigil generally means a nonviolent demonstration of one or more people in which we hold signs in a public location to express our political views.

A vigil can be formed by one person, a small group or even a large group.
A vigil is good to do at a busy intersection or a public location (e.g. in front of a government building or embassy), if that has any symbolic importance. It’s good to always meet in the same location, just so people know where they can find you, even if they don’t come regularly.

(2) Most vigils meet on a regular basis. Some meet once a week, others once a month, others just "upon occassion". Some last for one hour at a time, others for longer.

(3) At vigils, we hold signs that declare our political beliefs.
The variety of slogans is amazing. Some address international issues, such as the war against Iraq, while others address local issues, such as the rise of neo-Nazism in some countries.
In some countries, signs read, "End War" or "End All Oppression" or "Stop the Cycle of Violence" or simply "Peace".

(4) Are vigils silent?
Some vigils are silent – men and women stand with their signs. Others are not, and allow participants to talk to each other (or to bystanders). Some designate one person to be the spokesperson to onlookers or the media.
Most vigils do not have chanting of slogans, but some do.
Most times, participants just begin holding a vigil, and discover over time what is right for them.
At some vigils, people pass out flyers to passersby; some don't. Those who pass out flyers often speak to those they meet.

In short:
There's a great deal of flexibility, and every vigil gets to decide for itself.

Start a Book or Movie Club

A Book or Movie Club is a good way to meet like-minded people. It’s a way to deepen our understanding of women’s and men’s roles in peace and war, and the influence gender has in conflict and peacebuilding, through reading and discussions.

Here's how

Talk with Youth

Make a special effort to reach children: talk with Girl/Boy Scouts/Guides or other youth groups about how war and peace affect youth. Share an action with them like writing a letter to a government official or to an IFOR Branch, group or Affiliate.

Sponser a contest

Sponsor an essay or drawing contest for children and students to express their ideas about creating peace.

Contact us

Learn more about the work of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation and the International Peace Bureau: write to our offices for more information.