Creating a more just and peaceful world for over 70 years

For more than 70 years, Act for Peace has brought people together to create a more just and peaceful world. As the international humanitarian charity of the National Council of Churches in Australia, we believe in a world where everyone belongs, and that to get there, we must work together. 

It’s both the right thing to do, and the only thing that will work.

“Together, with others, we believe in a world where all are created equal and should be treated this way, and to achieve this belief we must work together, seek justice, and care for our planet.”

Janet Cousens, CEO, Act for Peace

Our Beliefs

WORKING TOGETHER

We respect the God-given dignity of all people, celebrate diversity, understand that we are part of a larger whole. We believe we must treat each other with grace and share what we have, because a unified society is essential for sustainable peace.

PEACE WITH JUSTICE

Our Christian model of peace is of people enjoying right relationships with God, each other, and our planet. We are called to live in peace with people of all traditions, sharing the gift of peace with those who are distressed, breaking down barriers that create fear, oppression and division – bringing renewal by fostering justice, equity and love for all.

THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF PEOPLE AND PLANET

We believe that peace on earth requires peace with the earth – we are committed to nurturing our earth just as it nurtures us. We recognise the grave threats faced by our planet, and the consequences for all people, and commit to act with respect and care as we adopt regenerative lifestyles and work to achieve ecological justice.

Our values

Humility. Courage. Creativity. Integrity.

Our story

We were founded in 1948, by the then Australian Council for the World Council of Churches.

We set out to provide urgently needed aid to refugees and others suffering in Europe from the horrors of the Second World War. Leading this work was a Methodist minister from Victoria, Rev. Frank Byatt. His mission was to unify Australian Christians of all traditions to work together to put the word of the Gospel into action.

In 1949 Reverend Byatt encouraged people to put an empty bowl on their Christmas dinner tables and to place a generous gift in it to ‘share your good dinner with hungry children in other lands’. Thus began the visionary Christmas Bowl appeal which is now supported each year by tens of thousands of people from a wide range of denominations.

Learn more about the Christmas Bowl here.

“The evangel is complete only when the action of the Gospel matches the message of the Gospel.”

Rev. Frank Byatt, 1954

Since these humble beginnings, our work has expanded in both reach and impact.​

In 2008, our name changed to Act for Peace. Today, through projects with local partners, and advocacy with governments and others in power, we work to reduce forced displacement across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

Working with others remains core to our DNA. We act to support uprooted people in their role as leaders, work in solidarity with long-term local partners, and leverage the strengths and reach of the global network of local ecumenical agencies of which we are a part. We’re joined by thousands of churches and tens of thousands of other members of the public in Australia who share our values. 

We also work collaboratively as a member of local, regional and global networks and alliances, faith based and other, including the ACT Alliance, the Australian Council for International Development, the Australian Church Agency Network, and others such as the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, Micah Australia and the Emergency Action Alliance, all working together to combine resources, share expertise and achieve greater impact.

Learn more about our partnerships here

Looking forward, to increase our impact, we have sharpened our focus towards the displacement crisis.

From all people affected by conflict and disaster, we have shifted specifically to those who are affected by displacement. We have deepened our commitment to raising the voices of uprooted people and following their leadership through the initiatives we back. And we are increasing our efforts to address the underlying causes of displacement, by working collaboratively with others to build unity and transform unjust systems.

Delivering our new strategy will require new ways of working, new ways of engaging with civil society and resourcing our work, and shifts in our role as we work together to ensure that everyone has a safe place to belong.

Our Partnerships

We work in solidarity with long-term local partners, and collaborate with local, regional and global networks, alliances, academics, governments and the UN to achieve greater impact.