The Peace Factory

An interactive exhibition about war and peace,
violence and freedom, power and tolerance

In the peace factory are 15 machines with several devices. The visitors are going to create peace and freedom. With lots of different tools they discover the limits of tolerance, the rules of freedom and the many different ways of conflict resolving. The metaphor of the factory implies an active attitude. The visitors make choices, are doing exercises and test their opinions. They fill in their forms in pares. The factory-like atmosphere is supported by several visual and light effects.

The connection between war and peace, past and present, has been made visible in the peace factory. But during their circuit in the exhibition the participants will discover it is about themselves, their values, attitude and behaviour. Although the main target group is young adolescents, adults too will discover much. It is possible to work on three levels with students from 10 to 18 yours in primary and secondary school. In addition there is a manual for teachers and tutors to incorporate every experience.

The tolerance monitor

Is an imam allowed to call gays pigs? Are you that tolerant to accept this or is he overstepping your limit? With help of the tolerance monitor you can define your tolerance. Don’t be too tolerant. Actions have to be made against discrimination and intolerance and also against indifference.

The violence wheel

You play a computer game in which you have to hit on pedestrians. What do you feel about that? There is going to be a march against violence. Are you going to join? In your class the same kid gets bullied all the time. What is your reaction? After answering 9 questions the violence wheel comments and hands out a clue.

The fact/opinion arrows

The man should be the boss in a marriage. It’s an opinion. World wide more men than women are soldier. It’s a fact. Make out of the 6 claims facts or opinions. By using the handle on your guide booklet you can check out the answer.

The prejudice balance

Dutch are greedy. Belgium’s are stupid. Handicapped are pitiful. Senior citizens are boring. Poor people are lazy. When you judge someone before you really know that person, you use a prejudice. These are claims that aren’t true. You will discover this on the prejudice balance.

The scapegoat mill

Bullies, scapegoats, bystanders and helpers. These four groups of people make up the scapegoat phenomena, in the past and nowadays. They used to chase a goat into the desert. Today we don’t blame the animal anymore but scapegoats still exist. It is possible to act against it. Discover the difference between bullying and teasing. Make your own top tip 5 fighting bullying.

The freedom keeper

School never again! Saying whatever you want! Doing what you like! Is this called freedom? No, freedom without rules doesn’t exist. It would create chaos. Traffic laws, body searching at the stadium, passport control at the airport, they are all limitations, but necessary to share freedom.

The power selector

Power isn’t negative at all time. It can be used in a positive way. But whoever is the boss has to be honest all the time. Power can be based on money, physical strength, knowledge and competence. What is your main strength?

The conflict scrollers

Your parents want you and your sister to choose a holiday destination. Your sister would like to go to Spain. You prefer sea sailing. How will you achieve your goal? Will you use all your power to get your own way? Or do you give in to your sister? Is your goal more important than the family atmosphere?

The regret tube

Traudl was Hitler’s secretary. Later on she regretted this very much. Jan regrets giving the order to shoot a freedom fighter during his early soldier days in the Dutch Indies. Peter is a student. He regrets bullying a fellow student in his class. What do you regret?

The lie detector

When is it allowed to lie? When there is war? Against who is it allowed to lie? To your enemy? Sometimes it looks less worse to lie. Because telling the truth will cause great shame on your family. Opinions about respect also differ very much. Whoever respects their father the most. Cheeky Dirk who helps him out or obedient Mohamed who leaves the work to his father?

The war scout

When is it allowed to start a war? When it is about capturing back your country, or to free people of suppression? When is it allowed to use nuclear bombs? Never? The war scout forms an opinion about all these difficult dilemmas.

The time machine

People have always fought during wars but in the end they also created peace. Sometimes with the means of fighting, sometimes by negotiating. The Second World War ended with lots of violence. But the wall in Germany fell silently, without any violence.

The monument matrix

Do you feel commemorating is important? Monuments and rituals are a helping hand. It is possible to commemorate war victims. But you can also commemorate because you don’t want war to happen again. Celebrating freedom follows commemorating. At which date do you celebrate freedom?

The Peace Factory is developed by Peace Education Projects in The Netherlands. Concept: Jan Durk Tuinier and Geu Visser. Design and production: Hayo van Gemerden.

With financial support of the Dutch ministery of Welfare, the ministry of Justice and Integration, VSB Fund, Foundation for Children’s Welfare Stamps, Dutch Youth Fund Jantje Beton, SFMO/Banklottery, SKaN-fund, Haëlla Foundation, K.F. Hein Fund, M.A.O.C. Gravin van Bylandt Foundation, Mr. Paul de Gruyter Foundation, SIOC en Foundation Elise Mathilde.

Peace Factory is on tour in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.