Ministries of Education Response to Peace Education Conference and Raise Critical Questions

Members,

I wish we had been successful in attracting more Ministries of Education to participate in the upcoming Peace Education Conference. At the moment, I am very pleased to report that we will have Joan Engel, Team Leader, Curriculum Branch, Alberta Learning who will be making a presentation giving us some insight in (1) by way of example, what plans there are with respect to peace education in the Alberta Ministry (and/or in generality/nationally), (2) how we (the community of peace educators) may work with governments towards our
purpose, (3) what recommendations or perspectives a Ministry official might have with respect to developing a Vision and Action Plan for Peace Education in Canada, (4) how we appeal to other Ministries of Education to get
involved with us (and in future Conferences in which we will build upon our work in this Conference). I trust that Conference participants will appreciate and receive Joan's "tips" very well. A hearty "Thank You" in advance to Joan.

The Newfoundland Deputy Minister of Education Harold Press responded indicating, "The topic of Peace Education in a world where the voice for peace is seldom heard is very timely and very necessary ... All the best for
a successful conference." However his Department "is unable to be represented at the conference at that time."

The Northwest Territories Deputy Minister of Education Loretta Foley indicated, "It is with regret the Department ... has already made our conference commitments for this year, and will be unable to attend. I wish you success in the upcoming conference." Nunavut Deputy Minister Tom Rich was "not able to send a representative from Nunavut Education at this time."

Saskatchewan Deputy Minister of Learning Craig Dotson's response deserves more thought. He indicated, "The topic of peace education is very important to educators in Saskatchewan. Peace education is addressed at all levels of our education system in Saskatchewan. Although peace education is not taught as a separate subject in our K - 12 education system, it is integrated into our social studies curricula at all levels. Our post-secondary institutions have the flexibility to offer courses on peace education to our adult students. Unfortunately, I will not be able to
participate in the first annual Conference on Peace Education in Canada. However, I am interested in receiving information pertaining to future conferences. Best wishes for a successful conference." He probably voices
the perspective of most Ministries of Education in Canada.

The critical questions are:
1. "Is the current approach of Canadian Ministries of Education to peace education sufficient?"
2. "Is Canada meeting its obligations to Canadians generally (i.e. to eliminate the scourge of war and violence) and the United Nations specifically (pursuant to commitments made in UNESCO (1974) Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms http://www.peace.ca/unesco1974recommendation.htm , approved and agreed by
Canada, and UNESCO (1994) Declaration and Integrated Framework of Action on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Democracy http://www.peace.ca/unesco1994declaration.htm , approved and agreed by our Ministries of Education)?"

Unfortunately, while the topic of peace education may be very important to educators in Saskatchewan, as of last Friday we did not have one person from Saskatchewan registered to come to the Conference so that we could discuss this with them. (The only provinces not currently represented at the conference are Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland, NWT and Nunavut.)

I had also sent invitations to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Hamilton Member of Parliament Shiela Copps (who is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and Canada's peace education commitments to UNESCO), Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham and some other federal Ministries. The Prime Minister's office was the only one to respond indicating, "the Prime Minister would not be able to attend but does send his very best wishes for a productive conference on such an important topic". Unfortunately, and not from lack of trying, as of last Friday we did not have one person from the federal government registered to come to the Conference so that we could discuss this important topic with them.

My personal observation is that a major problem (and I hope that this will be explored at the Conference) is that peace programs and peace education falls between the cracks of many jurisdictions (ministries) in Canada, and
hence there is a lack of overall leadership, direction and capacity. This is apparent from the Report of Canada (
http://www.peace.ca/education_for_peace.htm ) in that it does not conclude with an Action Plan or direction Canada should be taking. I hope that this Conference will consider producing our own public Report Card on how Canada is doing in Peace Education, and that we should consider submitting to the United Nations, the federal and provincial governments.

In future Peace Education Conferences, we will have to redouble our efforts to engage Ministries of Education and the Canadian Government. The critical questions:

2. "How do we hold Ministries of Education and the Canadian Government accountable for peace education in Canada?"

Improving peace education in Canada (should it be called for) will be a negotiation, and we need to bring government to the negotiating table. As a start, I expect that contingents of peace educators from each province will have to visit their respective Ministry of Education to initiate negotiations. We also need to hold them publicly accountable for peace education promises and delivery. I trust that our Conference Proceedings will provide a lot of support for this.

I trust all participants will come prepared to discuss these critical questions.

Regards,
Bob Stewart