Chico Peace and Justice Center

Statement of Values, Beliefs & Guiding principles

Adopted 4/9/09

At every level of our work we seek to manifest and further peace and justice, guided by our commitments to the following:

1. Inclusive community.  We affirm diversity and mutual respect, inviting all who share our goals to work with us in developing relations of solidarity, responsibility, and support.
2. Peaceful resolution of conflict.  We are committed to the search for consensus, to honest communication, and to democratic practice in our work and our social vision.
3. Shared wisdom.  We are committed to furthering truthful, relevant and current information about peace and justice issues. We employ an open process in developing strategy and charting policy.  We cultivate individual and corporate insight and value the perspectives and contributions of all who participate.
4. Nonviolence.  We are committed to active nonviolence at every level of our peacemaking work, searching for creative and effective ways to employ its power.
5. Compassion.  We share and cultivate an attitude of care for one another and our human community-- including those with whom we differ--, sustaining a respect for our common humanity.
6. Courage and hope.  We act with courage and are sustained by hope as we work for the more peaceful and just society we believe is possible. We commit to engaging in direct action when necessary for change.
7. Direct Action. We commit to engaging in direct action, to change the values of our culture in such a way that “the means we use are compatible with the ends we dream”.