Pathways to Prevention — Never Such Innocence

aRT cREDIT: gREEN hOPE BY Wei-Zhen, 9-11, Taiwan

Peace is something that takes continuous work, but there are many ways we can prevent wars from taking place.

Some of these things we can do ourselves, or alongside our communities.
Others need to be done by our leaders.
People of every age have the ability to help prevent war.

Below you can take inspiration from some previous competition entries and find some useful prompts and links to learn more about each topic.

Please note that several of these resources are aimed at older students.
Additional materials for teachers, parents and guardians can be found at the bottom of the page.

Education

Why do you learn about conflicts at school? Do you learn about peace?
Education is vital to creating long-lasting peace: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/05/16/education-a-force-for-sustainable-peace/
Before children that have experienced conflict can find peace, first they must unlearn war: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/05/04/unlearning-war/
Art credit: Inaccessible Knowledge by Sally, 16-18, USA

Act with Empathy

Do you have friends or family in another country? How could these relationships help prevent wars?
This article tells the story of French rappers Bigflo and Oli, who write raps about political ideas with a focus on immigration. Click here to read more about the inspiration behind their art: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/06/13/and-what-if-things-were-different-rapping-for-empathy/
This clothing brand was created by two Israeli and Palestinian women, who used empathy and common interests to overcome political division: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/05/23/two-neighbors/
Art credit: The Inescapable Trauma of War by Erin, 14-16, South Korea

Imagine a Better Future

We can’t build what we haven’t imagined! Art can change our way of thinking.
What kind of future do you want to live in? How do we get there?
Here’s how your stories can change the world: https://tntlab.carterschool.gmu.edu/
Click here to read a fairytale for peace: https://vpp.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/05/19/the-little-girl-the-flowers-and-the-witch/
Art credit: Hope and Healing by Thanh Ngân, 16-18, Vietnam

Raise Awareness

Artist’s Note: ‘I want to draw attention to the situation in Afghanistan through my painting. It‘s unacceptable that women and girls don’t have the same rights as their male counterparts. I will use my voice to talk for the girls who can‘t.’
Why might raising awareness of wars help prevent them? What are some ways people raise awareness?
Peace activism can take many different forms. Learn more about some of these here: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/gallery/campaigning-and-activism/
Read about Shamsia Hassani - an inspirational female graffiti artist from Afghanistan: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/04/26/a-blank-newspaper/
Art credit: Speaking For Those Who Can‘t by Rihana, 14-16, Germany

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is defined as ‘the job of dealing with the relationships between governments’.
Do you think children should have a seat at the table in rooms where decisions get made? Why or why not?
Diplomacy is more than just leaders sat around a table. Food can also play a powerful role: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/04/18/gastrodiplomacy-food-and-culture-in-peace-making/
‘Peace does not belong to a president or a government, but to all the Colombian people’. Learn about the long road to peace in Colombia: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2022/05/21/colombia-the-long-road-to-peace-after-the-civil-war-dw-documentary/
Art credit: Conference for Peace by Jian, 16-18, South Korea

Justice

How do your resolve conflicts in the classroom or at home? Does it stop them from happening again?
‘Justice’ is can be as challenging to define as ‘peace’. For some people justice can seem like revenge. Learn more here: https://vpp.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/05/01/justice-and-peace/
What is a cost worth paying for peace? This article explores how moving on from wars can be complicated: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/04/19/peace-at-what-cost-the-amnesty-dilemma/
Art credit: No One Wins in War by Mary Jane, 16-18, USA

Breaking the Cycle

Artist’s Note: ‘I'm trying to depict how decisions made by world leaders cause destruction which come from hatred from one another. From this destruction will birth pain and suffering among the people that are affected by the destruction of their homes and people.’
What do we mean by ‘breaking the cycle’? Why might it be hard?
One woman in Rwanda broke the cycle by forgiving her husabnd’s killer. You can read her story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-61105532
Similarly to NSI, ‘In Place of War’ is a global organisation that uses creativity in places impacted by conflict and climate change as a tool for positive change. : https://www.inplaceofwar.net/ipow-homepage
Art credit: Contagious Pain by Theodore, 14-16, USA

Remembrance

How might remembering the cost of past wars and the sacrifice of previous generations help prevent future conflicts?
Shortly before his death in the First World War, Second Lieutenant Douglas Gillespie imagined a Path of Peace. This has now become a reality and is described as ‘the biggest single commemorative project underway on the globe’: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2023/03/06/douglas-gillespies-path-of-peace/
Following the dropping of the first atomic bomb in 1945, Hiroshima is now seen by many as a city of peace. Its Memorial Park has a complicated history: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2024/02/06/architecture-for-peace-the-hiroshima-peace-memorial-park/
Art credit: Canada Bereft by Gary, 11-14, Canada

Other Helpful Resources:

Supporting children to manage anxiety over war, conflict and crises: https://www.bps.org.uk/news/supporting-children-manage-anxiety-over-war-conflict-and-crises

Healing Classrooms: https://www.rescue.org/uk/irc-uks-healing-classrooms

Peace through other means: https://peacemuseum.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/gallery/peace-through-other-means/

Quaker peace education resources: https://www.quaker.org.uk/resources/free-resources/teaching-resources-2

Everyday Peace Indicators: https://www.everydaypeaceindicators.org/about

Our thanks to Dr Alice König at the University of St Andrews for her support with this resource.

Never Such Innocence

Never Such Innocence is a registered charity (number 1156148) in England and Wales and is a unique project fitting into the wider series of 2014-2018 centenary activities. Our aim is to ensure young people nationally are inspired, informed and included in the centenary activities.

The charity takes its name from Philip Larkin’s famous poem MCMXIV, which reflects on the changes caused by the First World War. The driving force behind Never Such Innocence is Lady Lucy French, great-granddaughter of Field Marshal Sir John French who commanded the British Expeditionary Forces from 1914-15.

The launch of Never Such Innocence was kindly hosted at Australia House in May 2014 with a gala dinner and theatrical performance, blending poetry, prose and music from the Great War, compiled by Dr Martin Stephen. Since our inception we have been dedicated to engaging the nation’s children in the First World War centenary through learning, poetry, art and music.

T: 0207 836 2603
11 Slingsby Place, London,
WC2E 9AB

Never Such Innocence.
Registered Charity Number 1156148 Company Number 8680319

🌟 Meet Valentino.C. from Italy, a passionate advocate for peace and a Young Ambassador for Never Such Innocence! 🇮🇹✨

It was an absolute delight to welcome him to the office as he and his family came to London for a trip! He has been an amazing a

🌟 Meet Valentino.C. from Italy, a passionate advocate for peace and a Young Ambassador for Never Such Innocence! 🇮🇹✨ It was an absolute delight to welcome him to the office as he and his family came to London for a trip! He has been an amazing advocate at his school! Valentino invites all poets, artists, musicians, and speakers to participate in the international contest. Share your creativity and message of peace by responding to the question: "How Can We Prevent Future Wars?" Translation of the content: “Poets, artists, musicians, and speakers... I invite you to participate in the international contest proposed by Never Such Innocence. Express yourselves creatively and share your message of peace, responding to the question: "How Can We Prevent Future Wars?”

🌟 This Remembrance Month, we reflect on the moving words of “Eleven,” a poem by Sally S.

“I have a huge passion for learning about both World Wars - ever since I was a child, I have been captivated by the subject. While thinking a

🌟 This Remembrance Month, we reflect on the moving words of “Eleven,” a poem by Sally S. “I have a huge passion for learning about both World Wars - ever since I was a child, I have been captivated by the subject. While thinking about what could be written, I decided to focus on those lost in the First World War and their ancestors. I have personal connections to the First World War through my great uncle who was stationed nearby, which made me interested in how I could connect this to the present. As a child, I always felt it was unfair that we never talked about those who helped Britain from countries under British control. I used to ask my mum, ‘Why can’t I do something about this? Why don’t we talk about these people in school?’ Reflecting on this made me realize that it’s up to our future children to use their knowledge of the world’s cruelty to stop it - to prevent early deaths and halt wars. Trust the youth, as I would have wanted.” For more details and to join the competition, visit our official website at neversuchinnocence.com. We invite you to answer the crucial question: How can we prevent future wars? You might consider using the theme of remembrance as a starting point! 🌍🕊

We're exploring another avenue of art today. We thought it would be fun to explore how education can prevent war through an public art lens; showing both 3D and 2D pieces from our archive alongside famous artworks, read along and get inspired on how

We're exploring another avenue of art today. We thought it would be fun to explore how education can prevent war through an public art lens; showing both 3D and 2D pieces from our archive alongside famous artworks, read along and get inspired on how to get started in answering this years question ⬇️ “How Can We Prevent Future Wars?” Annual NSI Competition 2024/25 Deadline: 28/02/2025 Stay up to date on the competition by following our social media @neversuch and checking out the link in bio for more resources! #neversuchinnocence #artcompetition #artandexpression #artblog

Today our founder, @ladylucyfrench, delivered a speech at the Western Front Association’s service at the beautiful Guards’ Chapel. She spoke about her family history and how they inspired her to give children a voice during the Centenary.

Today our founder, @ladylucyfrench, delivered a speech at the Western Front Association’s service at the beautiful Guards’ Chapel. She spoke about her family history and how they inspired her to give children a voice during the Centenary. Thousands participated in NSI activities through the Centenary years, including young people like Rebecca, who wrote the poem I Stand Alone, which Lucy shared at the service. Well done to all of the young people who continue to play their part today, carrying on the memory of all who were lost.