Borrowing from the teachings of Johan Galtung, Norwegian co-founder of the field of Peace Research, on 'Positive Peace', and on the writings of Maine Quaker Gray Cox, a consortium of researchers and discutants in the experimental John Woolman College initiative have arrived at a theory of Active Peace. This theory posits that Peace is part of a triad, which also includes justice and wholeness (or well-being), consonant with scriptural scholarly interpretations of the meaning of the early Hebrew word S-L-M or 'Shalom', called by some the Bible's word for salvation, justice, and peace. Furthermore, the consortium have integrated Galtung's teaching of the meanings of the terms peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding, to also fit into a triadic formulation. Vermont Quaker John V. Wilmerding, Jr., founder of John Woolman College, posits five stages of growth applicable to individuals, communities, and societies, whereby one transcends first the 'surface' awareness that most people have of these kinds of issues, emerging successively into acquiescence (agree to something passively), pacifism, passive resistance, active resistance, and finally into Active Peace, dedicating themselves to peacemaking, peacekeeping, and/or peacebuilding.
Peacemaking is seen, roughly, as conflict transformation (not 'resolution' because conflicts are endemic in human society and can rarely actually be resolved). Peacekeeping is seen as nonviolent accompaniment, practicing passive resistance in order to protect the vulnerable and oppressed (not what the UN does with uniforms and guns). Peacebuilding is seen as sustainable development and providing for human needs, including basic sectors of economic life such as food, clothing, housing, education, health care, etc.
