Peace Circle® Core Protocol v1.1
Developed by Mika Vanhanen, Finland – 2025
(Peace Circle® is a registered EU trademark)
1. Purpose
5. Governance and development
6. Statement of integrity
Download Core Protocol v1.1 as pdf
1. Purpose
The Peace Circle® Core Protocol defines the ethical foundation, structure and living spirit of the Peace Circle® movement.
Its purpose is to ensure that every action, partnership and adaptation remains true to the founding vision — to promote peace, balance and sustainability through visible, value-based action that unites people and nature.
Peace Circle® is not a theory but a practice — a simple, symbolic and regenerative way to make peace real in everyday life.
It exists to protect life, nurture understanding and empower compassionate action.
Peace grows when we act with Heart, Head and Hands in balance — for the good of people and nature.
2. Core Structure: The Heart–Head–Hands Framework
At the heart of the Peace Circle® lies a universal truth: peace becomes real when feeling, thinking and doing are in balance.
These three dimensions — Heart, Head and Hands — hold nine interlinked values that guide all actions for people and for nature.
🔴 Heart – The Source of Peace
Peace begins within.
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Hope — believing a better world is possible.
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Compassion — caring for people and the planet.
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Justice — turning care into fairness and shared dignity.
🔵 Head – The Strength of Peace
Peace deepens through understanding.
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Knowledge — seeking truth and learning.
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Science — exploring reality with honesty and curiosity.
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Wisdom — choosing actions guided by integrity.
🟢 Hands – The Action of Peace
Peace becomes visible through what we do — through tangible acts that protect and renew life.
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Protection of Life — honouring and safeguarding all forms of life.
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Balance — living in harmony with nature and one another.
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Diversity — celebrating difference as the foundation of strength and resilience.
When Heart, Head and Hands act together in balance, peace takes visible form — within people, communities and the natural world.
The Peace Tree – Roots, Trunk and Leaves
At the centre of every Peace Circle® stands the Peace Tree — a living symbol of growth, balance and renewal.
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Roots: the nine values of Heart, Head and Hands that nourish life and anchor peace.
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Trunk: the community, school, or organisation that gives these values form and connection.
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Branches and Leaves: the visible actions of peace — each leaf representing a real moment when values come alive.
As old leaves fall and new ones grow, the Peace Tree renews itself — reminding us that peace, too, is a living process. When the roots are strong and balanced, the tree flourishes, offering inspiration and life to people and to nature.
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The Regenerative Cycle of Peace
Peace Circle® is a living, breathing cycle.
Hope and compassion arise in the Heart, deepen understanding in the Head and become visible through the actions of the Hands — which in turn renew the Heart again.
This regenerative rhythm keeps peace alive — in individuals, communities and across the planet.
Each act of care strengthens local wellbeing and connects to a global web of encouragement, where stories, digital platforms and shared learning inspire others.
Through this flow of reciprocity, local acts become seeds of global hope.
Peace grows only through action — each caring deed keeps the Circle alive.
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3. Core Principles
1. Visibility and Integration of Values
Peace is visible when values are lived, not just spoken.
Every action reflects the balance of Heart, Head and Hands — compassion, understanding and responsibility in practice.
2. Balance
True peace arises from harmony between inner awareness and outer action.
3. Circle of Guardians
Peace Circles are sustained by their Guardians — people who embody and protect these values through daily example.
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In schools, every teacher, pupil, parent and leader can be a Guardian.
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In communities and parks, Guardians represent shared responsibility for people and planet.
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In organisations, Guardians uphold compassion, understanding and responsibility in collective action.
Together they form a living network of care, connecting people and nature across all levels of society.
Every person and community has a place in the Circle. Each contribution matters.
4. Universality and Neutrality
Peace Circle® is non-political and non-religious. Its principles are universal, adaptable to all cultures, and open to everyone.
5. Sustainability and Legacy
Every Circle acts for the wellbeing of people, nature and future generations — ensuring that peace continues to grow.
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4. Use and Adaptation
The Peace Circle® framework may be used in education, communities, organisations, or research, provided that:
• the Heart–Head–Hands structure and the nine core values remain intact;
• the name Peace Circle® and its symbols reference this Protocol as the original source;
• all adaptations include the acknowledgement: “Based on the Peace Circle® Core Protocol (Vanhanen, 2025).”
• any commercial use or modification requires written permission from the rights holder.
5. Governance and Development
The Core Protocol is maintained and updated by Mika Vanhanen, founder of Peace Circle® and holder of the EU trademark.
Future custodians may be appointed through an evolving structure — such as a Peace Circle® Institute or Foundation — to ensure long-term stewardship.
All updates will be openly published and versioned at www.peacecircle.world (v1.1, v1.2, etc.).
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6. Statement of Integrity
Peace Circle® exists to protect life, nurture understanding and empower compassionate action. It is guided by one living vision:
Peace grows when we act with Heart, Head and Hands in balance — for the good of people and nature.
Through this balance, values become visible — and peace becomes a shared practice for all.
For official reference:
Vanhanen, M. (2025). Peace Circle® Core Protocol v1.1.
Plant and Care for Peace ry / www.peacecircle.world
Version 1.1 developed by Mika Vanhanen, with editorial refinement by Jeunesse Park (South Africa).
Peace Circle® can also be expressed through the simple and universal language of
A–B–C — the Alphabet of Peace, beginning from the Heart.
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