The Peace Initiative

If we can understand and find unity with others, then we can work together to solve problems.

This weeklong event brings in campus and community experts to explore practices for promoting peace and well-being. Techniques include yoga, mindfulness meditation, and gratitude. Join us as we use these approaches to cultivate peace within ourselves and address challenges in our community!

The Peace Initiative will be held March 23rd-27th, 2026. Please check back soon for the schedule and ticketing information, which will be posted below.
 
The 2026 Peace Initiative is co-sponsored by the Department of Psychology, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Office of Community Engagement, and the Office of Civic Engagement.

Event Details

Check out the 2026 schedule of events and ticketing information below!
  • 2026 Event Schedule
    Monday, March 23rd:
    • Learn How to Find Common Ground, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, Tate 202, Featuring Mike Lee, Director of the Civility Initiative: Tired of shouting matches and hot takes? Come to a fast-paced workshop where you’ll learn how to actually talk to people who disagree with you...and maybe even like them afterward. Real tips to connect, real conversations, zero lectures.
    Tuesday, March 24th:
    • A Healing Circle: Personal Storytelling, 12:15 to 1:30 pm, Maybank 112, with Tessa Updike: Experience a 60-minute session with a group of people coming together to share personal stories and to practice the art of deep listening. *(registration required)
    • Drum Circle featuring Kim Lea and Friends, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Cistern Yard: And the beat goes on! Join us for some improvised music-making to promote joyful self-expression and community togetherness. *(registration required) 
    Wednesday, March 25th:
    • Incluza-Palooza: Celebrating Unity Through Entertainment & Action!, 6:00 to 8:30 pm, Septima Clark Memorial Auditorium (Thaddeus Street, Jr., Education Center Room 118): Incluza-Palooza is part community action event and part variety show, bringing together local performers, community members, college students, and agencies for a fun and positive evening to honor the rich variety that makes Charleston great. Featuring: The Bernard Sisters, Mr. Enlightenment, Porto Seguro, Kymmya Starr Davidson, India Association of Greater Charleston, and the cast of Happyland. Participating agencies include Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach and AMOR Healing Kitchen.
    Thursday, March 26th 
    • Holding Space: Yin Yoga and Journaling, 5:00 to 6:15 pm, 159 Rutledge Avenue: Kate Seltzer and Brian Durbin  lead a 75-minute experiential class combining Yin Yoga and guided journaling to cultivate calm, acceptance, and inner peace. *(registration required)
    Friday, March 27th 
    • Peace Parade with ECDC, beginning at approximately 10:00 am in Cistern Yard: Join our own Early Childhood Development Center's Peace Parade to celebrate people, peace, and harmony! Also joining will be students from Memminger Elementary School, CofC students from Greek Life organizations, and some surprise guests!
    • Meditation Retreat, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Location TBD: Unwind from the week with a calming meditation retreat. Refocus, recenter, and rejuvenate! *(registration required)

    *Some events require registration due to space limitations; please see the Ticketing section below for details and registration links. Registration is free for all events!

  • Ticketing

    Registration is now open for ticketed events! Please choose the event(s) below for which you'd like to register, click on the registration link(s), and follow the Qualtrics form instructions. 

    For issues with event registration, please contact the Department of Psychology main office at 843.953.5590.

Psychology faculty member Rhonda Swickert, Ph.D. Accent Image

Meet the Organizer!

Peace Initiative organizer and psychology faculty member Rhonda Swickert, Ph.D. guides readers into her research and the practice of mindful meditation in this feature story from the College of Charleston Magazine.

Learning How to Be In the Moment
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