Biography of
Nicholas Roerich
The Purpose of CPC
The mission of the Center for Peace through Culture is to advance a psychology of peace.
The philosophy of CPC is that a core of peace and unity exists in everyone. CPC works with all who are interested in nurturing this core in themselves, their families, their communities, their nations, and the world.
How We Define Peace
Historically, peace has been defined as the absence of armed hostilities or the interval between wars. At this time in history, humanity is being challenged to radically alter its perceptions and actions.
John F. Kennedy once said, "There is no single, simple key to this peace—no grand or magic formula to be adopted by one or two powers. Genuine peace must be the product of many nations, the sum of many acts. It must be dynamic, not static, changing to meet the challenge of each new generation. For peace is a process—a way of solving problems."
It applies equally to our selves, our families, our communities, our natural environment, and our international relations. Peace building includes any activity that fosters cooperation among human beings and reduces barriers that separate nations, groups and individuals.
Obstacles to Peace
A peace-builder must recognize the innate longing of the human spirit for peace, as well as the less developed aspects of human nature that create obstacles to peace. These obstacles manifest in the world as acts of prejudice, racism, and hatred. They destroy unity, instill fear through terrorism and attempt to suppress the human spirit.
A psychology of peace addresses belief systems as a major root cause of these obstacles and works to transform the darker aspects of human nature into a force for good.
Culture as a Lasting Force for Peace
As the walls of these belief systems come down, we are able to see others with new eyes. As we learn more about each other through art, music, dance, philosophy and science we can transcend boundaries of nationality, race and religion. Through shared cultural values of beauty, truth, and harmony we understand one another simply because we are human. In the broadest sense, culture is the creative spirit that unites humanity.
Our Activities
CPC offers methods to explore personal and social paths to peace and to assist individuals, groups and communities who support these goals.
• GreenAgers
• Special Events
• Workshops
• Educational initiatives
• Psychological research
• Promotion of cooperative communities
• An interactive web site
The CPC Logo
Our logo originates from the Nicholas Roerich Banner of Peace. Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947), a world-renowned artist, philosopher, archeologist and statesman, saw culture as the cultivation of inner light, the source of creativity within us all. Whether the product of our creative imagination is a handcrafted bowl, a symphony, a cure for disease, a beautiful environment, a poem or an improved relationship, the process is the same. We tap into an invisible part of ourselves that lifts us beyond life's ordinary routines into the realm that inspires culture and links us to one another.
The three circles in our logo represent art, science, and religion of all cultures co-existing in beauty, truth, and harmony.
The Vermont Studio Center offers a CPC Fellowship for a two-week artist's or writer's residency award.
Peace building includes any activity that fosters cooperation among human beings and reduces barriers between nations, groups and individuals.
Great literature, music and art, knowledge of our universe and our selves, spiritual traditions that reveal the meaning of life and teach us higher values, belong to us all.
Through shared values of beauty, truth, and harmony we understand one another simply because we are human.