proposalscommunity

Community Centres for Teaching Peace and Peace Café start up model - a community based approach with the vision to build a Culture of Peace in the community, and goal of significantly reducing the incidents and cost of direct and indirect violence in the community and area

The Divine Parenting initiative, founded by Susan Le Clair, CEO & Founder, Divine Parenting, www.divineparenting .org From Susan: Divine Parenting is focused on meeting the needs of the parents, and seeing that the children's needs get met via them. When we focus on the SOURCE of the issues -- which is a lack of needs being met, and not coming from a heart-centred place -- we can then potentially prevent, reduce or eliminate the need for a whole pile of social services in place now that are in place because of the effects of not having our needs met. I have yet to make the official announcement about the Divine Parenting Organization and website, but it is coming within the next couple of weeks. Please visit www.divineparenting .org to get a peek at what the format will be like. I will be putting out newsletters and fostering a community environment, where initiatives (such as the one focused on families I just saw on this site) can be publicized. It will be a solutions-based, "good news" type of environment, focused on what is happening on a positive basis around meeting everyone's needs. Contact: Susan_leclair@ yahoo.com, (403)835-6981.

Canadian Peace Education Foundation For a World Fit For Children - The Canadian Peace Education Foundation for a World Fit For Children (“CPEF”) purpose is to raise funds for education for building peace, and to consider results-oriented peacebuilding educational projects at home and abroad. Our ultimate goal is to significantly reduce the human cost of violence against children and others. If you support this worthwhile cause, please consider making a contribution and including the following insert under your email signature line [via Tools/Options/Signatures] to spread the message as widely as possible --

Making an Impact: Your gift to the Canadian Peace Education Foundation will do much to reduce the human cost of violence in our communities and world through education about peace and the future in classrooms. Your gift will have a critical impact on future generations. You will enable youngsters to widen their sights by exploring alternate paths to transforming conflicts and building a better world. Gifts of cash, securities, and planned gifts are welcome and may be sent to the Canadian Peace Education Foundation, Box 70, Okotoks, AB, Canada, T1S 1A4. For more information, visit the website at http://www.peace.ca/foundation.htm

The Restitution Peace Project: Overview - What is Restitution? Restitution means “making things better” and differs from the criminal justice definition (payback.) Restitution is a program based on respect and common beliefs that builds community, empowers individuals, and resolves conflict. It offers knowledge and skills for educators, parents, and community helpers to respectfully work with children in a safe, non-coercive environment to help them learn self-discipline and become productive, principled citizens. This restorative approach helps people understand why they behave and provides problem-solving skills that strengthen people as they learn to fix their mistakes, repair relationships, and return to balance. Self-discipline results in improved self-esteem, better relationships, and increased achievement. In schools where Restitution is implemented, discipline incidents decline, school attendance increases, grades improve, and students, staff and parents enjoy a more caring school community. The program was developed by Saskatoon-based, world educator and author Diane Gossen (Restitution: Restructuring School Discipline, etc.) and has been taught in schools and corrections facilities around the world. Restitution is based on the concepts of Reality Therapy and The Quality School of Dr. William Glasser; the Science of Control Theory of William Powers; and the latest knowledge in brain-based research.

Purpose of the Restitution Peace Project: May ‘02 to April ‘06 :
Ø      To teach educators, parents and community caregivers new skills and strategies to manage youth without fear and coercion and create need-satisfying environments.
Ø      To teach children to manage themselves by meeting their needs in helpful ways and repairing their mistakes to develop internal character strength.
Ø      To develop a permanent educational framework and resource base for training Northerners to ensure program continuity and long-term sustainability.
Ø      To help address the lower than average rate of high school graduates in the North. (NWT high school graduation rate is 50% overall, and 26% in the Aboriginal population compared to 75% overall in Canada .)
Ø      To help address youth and family violence problems.
Ø      To respond to a growing concern for safer schools and communities.
(According to Stats Can, the NWT has the highest per capita rate of incarceration in Canada - convictions for violent crime at 5 times the national average, 6 times for sexual assaults. Heavy alcohol consumption is twice the national average, and the use of family shelters is 8 times higher than the rest of Canada .) For more information visit the Project website at http://www.RestitutionNorth.ca

PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001266/126679e.pdf
This publication from Unesco aims to inform teachers, trainers, educators, parents, youth and students who, one way or another, are confronted with violence in the school or in non-formal community education, and are looking for practical solutions. The project seeks not only to inform them what is best internationally in terms of education for peace and non-violence, but above all to supply concrete pedagogical tools to prevent and transform the violence with which they are confronted on a daily basis at work.

Cross-Canada Run for Peace Education - Approx. ten years ago, I had a thought that one day I would run across Canada in an effort to raise money for a cause that I would have great passion. I have not been able to shake this thought. The cause was unclear and the thought seemed only a dream. I have recently become clear that most, if not all, individuals have experienced difficulties in their lifetime that may have included violence, hatred, abuse, thoughts of destruction and, as most recently, thoughts of war. On Sept 11th, 2001, as more violence, in the form of terror, was viewed by the world, we were left with an unforgettable image in our minds of screaming women and children, people jumping out of flaming buildings and faces that were impressioned for life. Now, violence continues as we go to war in which no one truly wins. Somewhere the violence must stop.... On March 11th, 2004, I am going to embark on a run across Canada in an effort to raise money to stop and end violence with peace. I do not think that this is a definitive answer but "the world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it without doing anything". If every person, in every community, contributed $1-$2, or whatever is feasible, the money could be used properly to train and educate our youth, our communities and our countries that we can live peacefully, collectively with diversity without guns, knives, bombs and weapons of mass destruction. I am determined to push myself to the limits for peace which gives hope to a future based on solutions rather than destruction. I realize that others, whom I greatly admire, have run, walked, biked before me; many having greater obstacles to overcome. We need your help. People all over the wold need people who will send a message that individuals, one by one, can make a difference in obtaining peaceful resolutions. I am just a person, one individual, wanting to contribute. With the intellectual capacity of human beings, it is a shame that violence seems to be an option to which children, adults, and nations resort. I am reaching out to you for your assistance and support in ways of sponsorship, donations or help of any kind. To accomplish this twelve month journey, I am hoping that others will see a benefit and assist in any way feasible to raise money to begin educating peace at home in Canada. I believe that if you set your mind to do something, anything is possible. For more information and support, contact Jacqueline McKim, email jacqueline.tomen@sympatico.ca ; tel (705)789-5420; website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/jacqueline.tomen

Wise Decisions for a more Peaceful Planet- a program to reduce violence in schools, families, workplace and communities

WINTER 2001 “Street Safe Kids EXPRESS”

Non-violence more effective by Roger Lagassé

For the 7th Generation Initiative ("There is a tradition in some societies to consider the interests of the next seven generations whenever decisions are being made. For the modern world to do the same would mark our passage to maturity."), the following are the key elements in this Canada Well-Being Measurement Act. The Act's purpose is to develop and regularily publish measures to indicate "the economic, social and environmental well-being of people, communities and ecosystems in Canada". It's key provisions require a Standing Committee of the House of Commons to "receive input from the public through submissions and public hearings" so that they can identify "the broad societal values on which the set of indicators should be based." For more information, web site http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain/index5.html ; Sustainability Project/Inviting Debate, P.O. Box 374, Merrickville, Ontario, Canada, K0G 1N0. Phone: (613) 269-3500 e-mail: sustain@web.net

Our Challenge is to Make City a Better Place by Ray Cunnington

PEACE TRAVELLERS NETWORK of BED & BREAKFAST CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD

Educating More Than the Mind

Deep Democracy and Community Wisdom by Tom Atlee

Infusing Peace Education into high schools A recent Washington Post article about a high school doing some really exciting, integrative peacework.

Cool No- Violence Peace Project by Danielle Shimotakahara, age 13

From a very brave 13 years old girl. She has made a remarkable difference in her community and state, and is a model for action worldwide. She has won four national activist awards.

From Restorative Justice to Transformative Justice by the Law Commission of Canada http://www.lcc.gc.ca/en/forum/rj/paper.html

Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility

Youth service curtails violent behaviour:

We have all read and heard a great deal about the recent tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Please inform your readers of the importance of youth involvement in community service. It is a fine way to help reduce violent behaviour and build healthy communities.
Research shows that young people who are involved in service programs are less likely to be engaged in destructive social behaviour. Teens who help others are 50 per cent less likely to use drugs, join gangs or get pregnant. Their dropout rate is lower, and they achieve higher grades throughout high school. Youth service is an effective teaching method in thousands of school districts and universities. Through service, students learn tolerance for others as well as an empathy for environmental and social issues. What happened at Columbine was a tragedy, but it should not distort the picture of what our young people are like today. The truth is, they are smarter, more religious, more inclined to volunteer and possibly the finest generation of Americans in our history. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." Isolation and intolerance are a terrible burden for too many adolescents, and every teenager deserves to experience greatness. Please help me point them in the right direction.
Steven A. Culbertson, president and CEO,
Youth Service America
http://www.ysa.com/

Education: Lessons in peace Monday, November 1, 1999 Published at 09:50 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid_493000/493246.stm A peace education syllabus is being introduced into schools in Uganda. Schoolchildren of all ages will be required to follow the syllabus, being launched at the start of next term. Topics to be studied include respect for others, love of one's parents, disciplined neighbourliness and conflict resolution. Pupils will also be taught good morals and how to identify them, and the dignity of labour. The aim of the syllabus is to encourage a culture of tolerance among Uganda's youth. 'Cherished culture of tolerance' Moses Musana, Chairman of the Always be Tolerant programme, said: "It is only through education right from pre-primary to tertiary level that we can create awareness about peace and conciliation and reap the advantages of tolerance." The project is being sponsored by the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the German state development agency GTZ. Thomas Knirsch, spokesman for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said: "It is our hope that the syllabus will help build that cherished culture of tolerance which should lead to peace and development."

Schools Stop Put-Downs

Sustainable Peace: A Business for Canada (An Intentional Community at Work), by Michel Juneau-Katsuya; March 1999; Presentation to Canada@2000 Project of the Future and Strategic Network. "As for the future, your task is not to foresee but to enable it" Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Summary is available at http://home.thirdage.com/Environment/fsn/990305.html
Complete paper is available at http://home.thirdage.com/Environment/fsn/june.html

The Tetworld: Peace Through Development Project is inspired by the concept of a global game, as described by R. Buckminster Fuller, in his book, "Utopia or Oblivion", in which he proposed the idea that teams and players from around the world, gather (on the Internet) to "play" a computer-based game with the objective of "Making the World Work for Everyone"--for 100% of humanity. The purpose of the Tetworld Project is to bring this inspired view into an operational reality. The Tetworld Project and Game are presented for your consideration at http://members.tripod.com/~Tetworld/+index.html

Addressing Violence in the Workplace: A Checklist (Dr. R.Flannery, Jr.):

1. Securing the Facility
     a) Controlling Access
     b) Ongoing Surveillance
2. Warning Signs of Potential Loss of Control
     a) Appearance
     b) Behaviour
3. System of Self-Defense
4. Corporate Policy
     a) Pre-Employment Screening
     b) Employee Assistance Program
     c) Threat Team
     d) Buddy System

- "equip citizens and communities to solve their own problems" (Will Marshall, New Democrat Progressive Policy Institute)

- "Big citizenship recognizes that the greatest need to strengthen community (such as families, neighborhoods, churches, synagogues, schools) rather than government institutions - institutions that make it possible to need less of (government) because we can do more ourselves" (Bob Buford)

- "Some elements of the ideal community of the future: 1. One standard - principle centered goodness; 2. One heart - vision and direction; 3. One mind - purpose, mission, and unity, not uniformity; one-ness, not sameness; 4. Economic equality - no poor among them" (Stephen Covey)

- "NYPD New change model: 1. apply 'cosmetics'; 2. pick movers and shakers; 3. create a sense of urgency; 4. choose themes and vehicles. Strategies included: Getting guns off the streets; curbing youth violence in the schools and on the streets; driving drug dealers out; breaking the cycle of domestic violence; reducing auto-related crime; 5. prepare people; 6. get the facts straight and fast; 7. restructuring the organization; 8. undertaking new initiatives; 9. rethinking the agenda." (James Heskett)

- "The day of partnership is upon us. Piecemeal, tentative efforts to address only symptoms of critical community need will not work. Incisive analysis, identification of needs, and a powerful plan for the deployment of people and the allocation of resources to address those needs, with measurable results, are required.

- If ever great corporate leaders needed to move beyond the walls to lead the ultimate effort, it is now. Religious leaders, university and college presidents, and the leaders of voluntary organizations need to add their vision and voices to the leadership effort. If ever the team approach - the building of community described in human terms - it is here. Inclusive teams for every aspect of the initiative are essential to success.

- To mobilize the whole community, these leaders will lead by voice and example. They will hold the dream before the people. Those they hope to serve will see themselves, not just as beneficiaries, but as partners in the common task.

- How do we begin the task of 'civilizing the cities'? First, we find leaders who believe that the community is as much their business as is the business of their enterprise, and apply the same principles of management. These will be the real heroes of the future - the men and women who decide the time is now - and their leadership moment for the greater good is now. Leaders will help success travel and share the stories widely." (Frances Hesselbein)

- "Focus Hope change model: 1. Nourish - particularly babies who, if they are not given proper food and nutrition during their first three years, lose a significant portion of their brain capacity. 2. Train - if we really believe in human dignity, provide something more than food - the wherewithal to provide for themselves. Children were going hungry because parents didn't have jobs - they needed to become self sufficient. 3. Support - eliminate barriers to self sufficiency by providing support such as day care and Montessori school programs. 4. Teach - FASTRACK is a program that offers tutoring and remedial courses in academic and communication skills, computer applications, and industry standards of discipline and personal conduct, to fill educational gaps. 5. Transform - re-engineer how we prepare available human resources for current careers available." (Noel Tichy et al)

- as industry has done, social agencies must undergo "a fundamental restructuring to sharpen their focus on their customers' needs, on productivity, and on bottom-line performance.

- if urban schools as they exist today continue to fail in the face of all we know about how to improve them, then customers will be obliged to shop elsewhere for quality education." (Hugh Price)

- "framework for successful communities for the next century: 1. mechanisms for deciding; 2. organization of community work; 3. accessible community life; 4. creation of broad avenues for civic leadership; and 5. action for the next generation.

- decades of research and practice have shown us that the strongest communities build on assets, think strategically about the future and the issues that inform and shape it, create opportunities for citizens to connect and find areas of common interest, value the richness of diversity, and, ultimately, take action. (Suzanne Morse)"

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