How can festival makers use the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace? 

The ‘Free Flow of Information’ is one of the Eight Pillars of the Positive Peace Framework as proposed by the IEP that festival makers might take into consideration in their work. This pillar shows the importance of transparent, timely, and accurate communication among all stakeholders involved in a festival. Through oftentimes simple improvements in their planning, festival makers can promote an environment where information is shared openly and efficiently, which allows the festival to practice better collaboration, leading to smooth operations and a ‘culture of peace’. 

This analysis was part of above-mentioned workshop and explores how the pillar of free flow of information can be practically applied in festival management, highlighting specific strategies and best practices. 

To access the example: click here.

The principle of ‘Acceptance of the Other’ is another component of the 8 Pillars of the Positive Peace Framework developed by the IEP. To work around this pillar means to improve inclusivity and respect for diversity within organizational contexts. For festival makers, implementing this principle involves establishing an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued and responsively integrated into all aspects of festival planning/execution. This analysis explores practical strategies for applying the pillar of Acceptance of the Other in festival management, drawing on insights from the workshop conducted during the Atelier in Nicosia 2022. 

To access the example: click here.

*To listen to an interesting discussion including the topic of ‘the Other’ and valuable thoughts on  ‘Othering’, please click on the following link: Festivals in an age of polarisation, conflict and existential threat - Atelier Elefsina 2023