Global Citizen Journey

GCJ arises from a rich legacy of citizen diplomacy beginning with Earthstewards, led by Danaan Parry in the 80's, in Ireland and the former Soviet Union. Earthstewards then spawned about 26 Peace Trees project and the ongoing Peace Trees Vietnam as well as The Middle East Citizen Diplomacy Project which is now The Compassionate Listening Project, our 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor. GCJ was launched in 2000 and completed its inaugural Journey in 2005 when we build a library in the Niger Delta .

Global Citizen Journey (GCJ) exists to unleash individual and collective wisdom and capabilities through grassroots community action on a global level. GCJ joins hearts and hands across continents and boundaries to build understanding, bridge cultural differences and establish friendship bonds that foster new ways of thinking and living. In partnership with local organizations, we seek to develop practical community-based solutions in little known regions where there is urgent need. Global Citizen Journey is a visionary and action oriented project that brings vital energy, support and resources to communities in need --and provides a rich transformative experience for volunteers. The project has multiple purposes: citizen diplomacy, peacemaking, leadership building, education, environmental stewardship and service. We are building the global neighborhood, through grassroots connections and bridges of peace. A group of U.S. delegates joins with delegates from the host country for a 2.5 week residential experience, with half the time spent on the work project (such as building houses or planting trees) and the other half in circles and workshops to build relationships and develop skills of communication, compassionate listening and conflict resolution as well as cross-cultural and gender relations. We travel to places that may be suffering conflicts and are typically unknown by the international community ? or even by other regions in their own country ? to extend the hand of friendship, the empowering exchange of citizen diplomacy, and the gift of hope, inspiration, and mutual learning.