Online Zoom Forum: Peace Education: Spiritual. Ethical, and Social Foundations.
Date: Wednesday 11 February 2026.
Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).
Event Description:
Format: There will be five talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A.
Chair:
Dr Thomas Clough Daffern:
Bio: Dr Thomas Clough Daffern is a philosopher, historian, peace studies expert, poet and religious studies specialist. He was awarded his PhD from the University of London for a thesis which explores the history of the search for peace, and which proposes a new field of historiography, Transpersonal History. He has taken initiations in many spiritual paths and runs the Commonwealth Interfaith Network. He is Director of the International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy (IIPSGP) www.educationaid.net which works across many academic fields to bring together all those with an interest in and a commitment towards the study of peace, nonviolence and philosophy. Thomas taught at the Muslim College 1990-1993 & for the University of London, & University of Oxford 1993-2003. As House of Lords, Research Seminar Convenor (1992-2001) he worked with Lords and MP’s to establish an All Party Group for Peace and Conflict Resolution and co-chaired 35 meetings in parliament on peace policy. He has written over 60 books and is a published historian, philosopher, poet, and specialist in interfaith peace-making. He founded the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Middle East (https://trcme.wordpress.com/) after many visits to Israel and Palestine and has friends on all sides of these agonising policy choices. He has consistently supported a two state solution and in 1991 he already called on Palestine to adopt a non-violent policy of resistance to stop giving Israel excuses to demonise and attack them. He is particularly interested in the religious and spiritual opportunities for peacemaking in the region and believes that between Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Bahaism and Zoroastrianism etc. there should be treaties and declarations of non-violence. For this purpose he has drafted the first Interfaith Peace Treaty (www.Interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com). He sees education as a key resource for peacebuilding and served as a front line philosophy and religious studies teacher for 20 years in the UK, and is also now running the International Delphic Academy to redefine what we mean by education as at root the process of transformational self-knowledge development. He also serves as Chair of the World Intellectuals’ Wisdom Forum (https://worldintellectualforumeurope.weebly.com).
Speakers:
Prof Jing Lin:
Title: When Quantum Physics Meets Laozi: Embodiment of Peace Through the Cultivation of the Dao.
Description: Quantum Physics posits that everything is energy, and Laozi talks about an invisible realm where all existence originates. In this talk, I will explore how Laozi’s Daoist teachings guide us toward the embodiment of peace by cultivating the Dao. This invisible yet permeating cosmic vital life energy interconnects all existence spiritually and ethically. Laozi teaches that by nurturing this intrinsic energy, we elevate our spiritual, vibrational energy and open ourselves to embodying virtues such as love, humility, compassion, and forgiveness. Through meditative practices, we align our own being with the harmonious flow of the Dao, allowing us to become vessels of peace in a world in need of deep healing. By cultivating the Dao, we not only transform ourselves but also contribute to a more peaceful and compassionate world.
Bio: Jing Lin is Professor of International Education Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research centers on peace education, contemplative inquiry, spirituality and wisdom traditions, ecological ethics, and climate change education. She has written and co-edited numerous books on peace and environmental education, Eastern wisdom traditions, holistic pedagogies, and global education reform. She also co-founded several international education networks, created and led three book series, and is a co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education. In her program, she currently leads a specialization on Healing Education for Self and World, integrating holistic, contemplative, indigenous, and global approaches.
Prof Hilary Cremin:
Title: How do we Educate for Peaceful Bodies, Hearts, Minds and Souls?
Description: In this talk Prof Cremin will discuss her work over several decades working for peace in and through education, and her latest book Rewilding Education.
Bio: Prof Hilary Cremin is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, UK. She is currently Head of Faculty and co-chairs the THRiVE research group, which investigates ways to promote human thriving through education. She researches conflict transformation and peace-building in education settings in the UK and globally. Recent research has focussed on Kazakhstan and India, and her latest books Positive Peace in Schools and Rewilding Education explore how we can provide an education that is fit for purpose in the twenty-first century and beyond. She is a trained mediator.
Dr Maryam Sadat Sharifia:
Title: Peace Education in War-Affected Communities: Lessons from Syria for Building Resilient Learning Systems.
Bio: Dr Maryam Sadat Sharifian is the Executive Director and Associate Professor at James Madison University’s Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARE). Her work focuses on educational assessment, interdisciplinary studies, inclusive learning, and resilience in learning systems. Her research in conflict education, active war zone education, and community rebuilding, emphasizing the role of peace education in fostering sustainable development and social justice.
Dr Tim Archer:
Title: Talking with all our Relations: Onto-epistemological Shifts in Human-centric Notions of Peace.
Bio: Tim Archer PhD is a peace educator and conflict resolution practitioner with over 20 years' experience working in the UK and internationally in community cohesion and post-war capacities. Having a fascination with cultural ways of knowing and being, this work has allowed Tim to explore many different traditions around the world, and he has been very fortunate to have met many amazing teachers along the way and is inspired to incorporate these teachings into his work where he can.
Dr Edward J. Brantmeier:
Title: Toward an Integrated Spirituality for Peace.
Description: Drawing from his co-edited book, Spirituality, Religion, and Peace Education (2010), this addition to the panel focuses on integrated spirituality for peace as a holistic approach that involves cultivating interconnectedness, compassion, and nonviolence—drawing from diverse religious and spiritual traditions. Inner transformation, contemplative practice, and ethical action on personal, institutional, and societal levels can foster reconciliation, resilience, and just-peace across cultural and institutional contexts. Regenerative peace pedagogies, as means for connection and transformation, can help foster integrated spirituality for peace.
Bio: Edward J. Brantmeier, Ph. D. is a peace educator, author, musician, husband, and father. He enjoys supporting other people’s journeys of learning, growth, healing, and renewal. He has worked in schools and in higher education for over 25 years. As a peace educator and researcher, he hopes to create a little more peace, solidarity, and love in an often-violent world. Ed’s engagement with contemplative practices spans almost 30 years and includes meditation, martial arts, nature immersion, and mindful writing. Ed is a Professor in the Learning, Technology, and Leadership Education Department in the College of Education at James Madison University, U.S.A. He teaches various courses in educational leadership with an emphasis on justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and peace education. He guides people through their writing processes. Ed has lived, traveled, studied, and/or taught in diverse cultural contexts and countries, including: India; Nepal; Austria; Germany; Nicaragua; Fiji; Australia; New Zealand; the Cook Islands; Brazil, Finland, the Navajo Nation; and more. Currently, he is the editor of the Journal of Peace Education.
An archive recording will be made for the EICSP archive.
NB: There will be no refund if you cancel your booking.
Booking: By Paypal.
Contact: Neill Walker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you are having a difficulty paying by Paypal, then you can pay by bank transfer instead.
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Here are the bank transfer details:
Account Name: Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace
Bank: Bank of Scotland
Bank Address: Edinburgh Royal Mile Branch
Account Number: 06131159
Sort Code: 802000
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The IBAN number:
GB70 BOFS 8020 0006 1311 59
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