SCHOOLS FOR PEACE

Schools for peace is a Progress’ initiative to provide support to schools around the country that have declared a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace. We also act as a catalyst and clearinghouse for innovative ideas that help to build a school environment that contributes a step further in the journey to create a culture of respect, tolerance, peace and harmony.

INTRODUCTION

Humans are the most intelligent and dominant form of life on this earth and have a natural desire to be free and live in peace.  Peace is undoubtedly one of the most universal and significant of human ideals and is perhaps also one of the most complex concepts in human history. It is also described as "one of the few positive symbols having meaning for the whole of humanity". We can logically assume that World Peace is something that 99.9% of the 6.5 billion People in this world would want and support if there was a way to achieve that World Peace.

"That a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind."

As a consequence the world today is witnessing wars, atrocities, death, destruction, and violence in this world is the natural human response to the uncivilized acts carried out by uncivilized governmental, religious, and corporate structures or individuals that threaten the natural human desire to live in a civilized and peaceful manner.

"We look forward to continuing our efforts toward peace in Pakistan and the world in large.

We encourage each school to formulate its own special blend of ingredients to create a culture of peace.
‘Progress’ Schools for Peace is a community of learning where participants bring their own experiences and take something away from the experiences of others.

Our vision is to create a national network of schools of peace.

Our mission is to provide support and recognition to schools that have declared a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace.

The purpose of the ‘Progress’ Schools for Peace is to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the youth through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world”

‘Progress’ Schools for Peace mission is to help people of all ages practice peace in everyday life.

BACKGROUND

When conflict resolution is implemented not only as part of the curriculum but also as a lifestyle to be lived by both adults and youth, respect, tolerance and community-building become “the way we do things around here.”

Inherent in this context are many advantages. Youth possess the knowledge and skills to create an environment in which diversity thrives. There is an understanding by all that conflict is an opportunity for growth, self-awareness and development of respect for others. There is a shared vision that conflicts are inevitable and that they enrich and strengthen the communities.

As we spend more time encouraging our youth to become caring and compassionate citizens, it makes sense that we offer them opportunities to put these principles into action in a variety of ways. Many schools organize school-wide or class-based community service projects that address student-identified needs at school or in the community. Often the goals and activities of these projects are woven into or drawn from curricular objectives.

Whatever the initiative or project, be it big or small, students learn vital lessons in empathy, understanding and goodwill when encouraged to help others.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

We aim to promote the necessary awareness that we are one race - the human race - violence is not a solution to grievances but a disease and that all the races, creeds social groups, religious groups and factions have better non-violent means of expression. Peace is the only way forward.

To establish educational programs for teachers and for different social and age groups.
Schools for Peace is a ‘Progress’ initiative

• To educate, motivate and equip our youth and children with the attitudes, knowledge and skills essential to the prevention and resolution of conflict.
• Every student has the right to feel safe in school. The prevention of conflict and the peaceful resolution of conflict can be taught and should be taught.
• Practical lessons in cooperation, respecting differences, communicating effectively, expressing emotions in a positive manner and resolving conflict creatively and non-violently.
• Peace education activities are introduced in an extracurricular manner. For example, many schools host Peace Festivals, invite guest speakers and hold assemblies with a focus on peace. How peace education occurs is not as important as that it occurs.

OUR WORK

‘Progress’ Schools for Peace works with schools around the country to help them become more peaceful places. We do this by working directly with our member schools, and by organizing events and taking on national projects that promote peace education. We also provide a range of different services available to any school.

Some of the specific projects we are working on right now include a peace camp offered to students during school breaks, a province-wide book tour to share the “Sam” series of books on helping children with conflict resolution, and work with schools in different provinces.

‘Progress’ Schools for Peace defines peace education simply as "learning to live well together". We also use the definition of peace education from UNICEF:

“the process of promoting the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to bring about the behavior changes that will enable children, youth and adults to prevent conflict and violence, both overt and structural; to resolve conflict peacefully; and to create conditions conducive to peace, whether at  a personal, interpersonal, inter-group, national, or international level.”

The responsibility for creating a global culture of peace is far too lofty a goal for educators alone. We can, however, strive to create and sustain a culture of peace within our schools. To do so, we must teach peace. It cannot be achieved by means of a simple recipe or by wishing for it anymore than we can achieve it by writing tough policies or merely mandating it.

There are basic principles inherent in the belief that it is necessary to equip children and youth with the attitudes, knowledge and skills essential to the prevention and resolution of conflict. Every student has the right to feel safe in school. The prevention of conflict and the peaceful resolution of conflict can be taught and should be taught.

There are currently many books and other resource materials available that contain innovative, practical lessons in cooperation, respecting differences, communicating effectively, expressing emotions in a positive manner and resolving conflict creatively and non-violently. No single book or program will meet everyone’s needs. When there is a variety of resources made available in the school, teachers will be free to use those that are relevant to the needs of their students, being aware that their needs will vary from year to year.

A peaceful school is one in which students, staff and parents work together to ensure that everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.

• Developing a collaborative approach to decision making, promoting cooperation, support and understanding.
• Provide curricular and /or extracurricular peace education. For example, peace festival.
• Teaching methods of stress participation, cooperation, problem solving and respect for differences.
• Conflict resolution strategies, student and community centered.
• Participation in community service projects. For example, neighborhood, litter pickup, fundraising or collecting food and clothing to donate.

‘Progress’ Schools for Peace shall provide professional development support for creating a positive school climate. Such as training in crisis response, dealing with bullying, peer mediation, anti-sectarianism and cooperative learning strategies.

PROJECTS - ‘PROGRESS’ SCHOOLS FOR PEACE

1. Panel Discussions

• Educating for a more peaceful world

2. Workshops

• Strategies for Building a Positive Climate
• Persuasion Power: Using Strategic Language to Build Relationships and Solve Problems
• Innovative Conflict Resolution (two-day workshop)
• Addressing Aggression in School: Proactive Strategies

SERVICES

PSP’s initiative provides training, support and inspiration to schools, parents, and other organizations that want to create a more peaceful environment in which to teach, work and play.

We offer professional development workshops for teachers in areas such as conflict resolution, addressing aggressive behavior, dealing with disruptive students, and preventing and responding to bullying. We can also provide training in peace education techniques and ideas.

We can help you set up a peer mediation or other conflict resolution program at your school, or help you through the process of collaboratively developing a school discipline policy. We can also provide information/education sessions for parents as well as teachers.

PSP can send a representative to speak about peace education at your upcoming conference or workshop. PSP’s inspirational founder, Dr. M.A Wajid is also available for speaking engagements.

If your school is interested in becoming a PSP member, we would be happy to set up a presentation to tell you more about PSP and to answer any questions you might have.

The costs of our services can vary depending on your needs. For more information about any of these services or to set up an informational presentation at your school, please contact us at:  foundationforprogress@yahoo.com; Tel: 021-35802346.

Benefits

The main benefit of joining / becoming a member of ‘Progress’ Schools for Peace is a means to celebrate your school’s commitment to making it a place where everyone feels safe, valued and respected – a place where people want to be!
All PSP regular members receive the following:

• A detailed PSP membership guide
• A copy of books related to creating peaceful schools
• A PSP flag and membership certificate
• Monthly ideas for school-wide peace activities
• PSP’s quarterly newsletters “Peace Talks” for adults and “Peace Talks Jr.” for students
• PSP’s public monthly e-bulletin with news, tips and free resources
• Access to downloadable resources in the “Members Only” section of the PSP website
• Access to the PSP online discussion forum
• Recognition and support from PSP and other member schools
• Invitation to send a representative to PSP’s AGM

Responsibilities

PSP regular members agree to:

• Follow through on their commitment to creating a climate of peace in their school
• Report back to PSP as often as possible on their peace-related activities (stories, photos or videos are always appreciated!)

• Support PSP’s work by paying the annual membership fee
• Keep PSP updated on new contact information

If you would like to more information, please see the full list of membership criteria.

When your school is ready to apply, or if you have any questions about your application, please contact us !

Become a PSP Associate Member

If you are an organization or individual, other than an educational institution, that believes in the importance of peace education and supports PSP’s mandate and work, but is not an educational institution, you can become an Associate Member of PSP.

If you are an educational institution looking for support in creating a culture of peace at your school, please see Regular Membership.

Individuals and organizations that are not educational institutions become Associate Members of PSP by making a financial contribution of any size to PSP’s work. All donors to PSP automatically become Associate Members of PSP, unless a specific request is made not to become a member. All PSP Associate Members will receive PSP’s monthly e-bulletin with news, tips and free resources.

All members are invited to send a representative of their organization to attend PSP’s AGM, and are subject to the rules of membership set out in PSP’s bylaws. Any member may resign their membership at any time by giving notice in writing to PSP.

Membership Criteria
We invite you to join the friends and foundations all over the world whose support makes our work possible. The ‘Progress’ School for Peace and its programs rely on your support. This year, the demand for our programs is to help us do our part to counter the violence and the discrimination in our region, we urge you to contribute today to the Schools for Peace.