Peace X Peace uses Drupal/CiviCRM and Cerkle technology from Roundpoint (http://cerkle.com/) to host an online Global Network of women connecting for peace. Our communication platform facilitates change by promoting non-hierarchical, dynamic, social practices (“Circle principles”) in cross-cultural relationships through our secure, interactive website. This unique combination of leading-edge technologies and age-old social principles offers a new paradigm for peacebuilding.    At Peace X Peace our members are the experts. Peace means different things to different people, and we ask our members to define for themselves what they need to experience peace in their lives: from financial equity, to restorative justice; access to education, to deep democracy; freedom of communication, to health services, to care for the environment.     A Peace X Peace Circle in Kenya knows what it needs to build peace in their local community, and through our Global Network, they are connected to mentors, co-investors, supporters, friends, and resources to take action to start a micro-enterprise. A Circle in Afghanistan knows what it needs to build peace in their local community, and through Peace X Peace, they are connected to advisors, educational institutions, family and friends to take action to provide educational materials to local young women and girls. Cultural divides and barriers to information are overcome through the internet. Women and girls who are excluded from public discourse have a venue for communication and collaborative action from the safety and privacy of their homes or offices.  Circle principles like: promote honest communication, listen actively without judgment, offer experience not advice, share leadership and resources, affirm one another, and build consensus create a space that includes and welcomes everyone. The internet makes it possible for anyone to log on, and get connected to the people or information they need. Together, those voices that have been excluded the most—those of women and girls—are raised to new heights, joining in a critical mass, fostering change: a social cascade.  Our session at this conference would: 

• Describe and demonstrate the online functionalities of our website and Global Network  
• Report on results from our members in the field
• Invite other individuals and organizations to join the movement  
• Inspire individuals and organizations to apply Web 2.0 and 3.0 tools to make change that meets their mission  
• Present a new paradigm, a new way of understanding two of the greatest forces for positive change in the world: women in connection and the internet