Our History
Our Founders
In 1981, PCI founders Bernard Benson, David Woollcombe, Rosey Simonds and Michael and Eirwen Harbottle came together to engage youth in creating a better future for themselves. Initially through a musical before beginning youth-led programmes to inspire, educate and empower the future generation.
Rosey Simonds & David Woollcombe
Rosey produced numerous Peace Child musicals and the musical City of Peace. For the past 12 years she has run Peace Child’s UK educational programmes sponsored by Defra, Transport for London and the UK and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
David was the Author and Director of the 1st performance of Peace Child, the Musical in the Royal Albert Hall and over 30 other performances. David continues to drive the youth agenda, advocating for true youth participation on a global stage and is currently Chair of Trustees.
Eirwen Harbottle & Brigadier Michael Harbottle
Eirwen Harbottle created the idea of Peace Child – a celebration of Peace, to stand alongside the protests of CND against war and nuclear weapons; Chair of Peace Child Board of Trustees from 1982 to 2009.
Brigadier Michael Harbottle was the Director of the World Disarmament Movement which produced the 1st Performance of Peace Child, the Musical in 1981; Soldier, Peace-maker, founder of “Generals for Peace” – and author of the ‘Thin Blue Line’ – the UN’s first Peace-keepers handbook.
Bernard Benson
Author of The Peace Book on which Peace Child, the Musical is based. He is a father of nine children, Buddhist philosopher and early pioneer of computer science.
The Peace Child musical was performed over 5000 times in 31 countries, involving 250,000 young people
Helping to thaw the Cold War
In 1986, Working with the US and Soviet administrations, we brought about the first cultural exchange between Soviet and American youth. As a result, Mikhail Gorbachev invited us to work with his Green Cross organisation to fight climate change.
“What happens on stage really happens in life. Maybe someday one of these kids will become a politician. This experience will be carried with them. Their friends are in the Soviet Union. They’re not going to make war with their friends.”
Key achievements
Over the past 30 years, we’ve tapped into the energy of millions of young people in 183 countries and worked in partnership with some of the world’s most powerful organisations. Together, we’ve taken on some big challenges.