This is the month we celebrate peace on earth and goodwill to all. Thus, this is a good time to “generate opportunities for continuous reflection and professional development of all educators in relation to issues of peace, justice and rights." (Peace Education in UNICEF Working Paper Series, July 1999)
Peace education is about curriculum and instructional strategies encompassing the virtues/skills that
• underscore good character and citizenship
• help students learn alternatives to violence
• encourages adults and students to create a school and home environment that is peaceful and conducive to nonviolent attitudes and behavior
Peace education is about helping students learn skills such as
• identifying bias
• problem solving
• sharing and cooperation
• shared decision making
• analysis and critical thinking
• enhancing the self esteem of oneself and others
• ability to imagine life beyond the present and work towards a vision
• understanding the links between the personal, local and global factors
• communicating through careful observation, honest talk and sensitive listening
• positive emotional expression, recognizing and expressing feelings in ways that are not aggressive or destructive
• using conflict resolution strategies
• being empathic and engaging in nonviolent action in relation to problems both personal and societal. (http://ppu.org.uk/learn/peaceed)
As I write this blog entry I just finished reading two articles on a form of “bullying” where middle school kids mimicked content from a 2005 episode of “South Park." One school in the east reported that some of their students participated in “Hit a Jew” Day. Also, this month some Los Angeles middle school students attacked red-haired students on “Kick a Ginger Day.” These incidents accentuate the need for peace education.
So, what do we know?
1) We know the peace education skills that should be taught and learned in schools and homes.
2) We know we have peace education curricular and resources. (See a few examples below)
3) We know we have effective teaching and learning methods.
4) We know that we need to start off the new year with a concerted effort to promote peace in our schools, homes, and neighborhoods.
Web sites
The Peace Alliance
Education World
Safe and Civil Schools
Peace Education Foundation
Educating for Peace
First School
America's Children - Problems and Solutions
Peace Education Center - Columbia University
Ed DeRoche, Ph.D.
