World Centres for Teaching Peace

Dear Reader,

"I am interested in starting a Centre for Teaching Peace in my country - where do I start?"

I have had many requests from other countries about the possibility of developing a 'Centre for Teaching Peace' tailored along the lines of our Canadian Centre.   I have learned that establishing a Centre for Teaching Peace is not difficult or costly, but is very beneficial and rewarding.  It just requires at least one passionate person interested in the common good, and a person who knows enough about web site technique (also with a big heart - our webmaster Sharlene is just wonderful).  For example, if you wished to develop a Centre for Teaching Peace for 'Your Country', I would suggest that one could take our Canadian Centre (we will provide htm at no cost) and tailor it to your situation - i.e. take out anything not applicable (or if you are satisfied to refer to our site rather than duplicating it); identify what is missing that is applicable to your country and put it in; use the same framework (refer to the diagram/matrix on the 'Museum' page http://www.peace.ca/museum.htm i.e. problem identification, proposals/solutions, who's who, specific topics of interest, etc. at the individual level, family, community, world levels - we have found this to be a great way to organize our research); create an email list server to help communication among people interested in a Culture of Peace for your country; etc.   We would be pleased to help out. [Note that a virtual centre is useful first for those citizens with access to a computer and the Internet, which admittedly will be those more affluent, but also with more influence.  The hope is for these people to develop the concern and passion to then reach out to the next levels of influence (eg. local leaders, teachers, NGOs, etc.) and so on to the communities.]

"We would like to know if we could have support from international institutions in order to set up this project for here in our country?"

This is a big question.  Currently, The Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace is a small organization with financial limitations like everyone else, but I (and I hope others) would like to help in any way I can - so I will offer the following suggestions (to start things):
1. to gain support from international institutions, we would have to know as much as possible about your organization and the level of local/national support (this is a major start to relationship building).
2. clearly, it would be easier to gain support if there was a request from your government to our government (or such other governments as you wish to ask).  I realize it is sometimes difficult to get government 'on side', and sometimes civil society must proceed without as much support from government as we would like.
3. you will need to identify a plan, so that others will know what your mission, goals and objectives are, and how it can be achieved, what resources are required, a time line.
4. the United Nations and UNESCO have programs in place to promote work in countries such as yours towards a Culture of Peace, and your country should have a National Commission that interacts with UNESCO, and is familiar with the Culture of Peace Program.  A request by your government to them would be good.
5. In the meantime, we can search our contact lists to see if there are other possible sources of support.  For example, I am a member of Rotary International which may be interested in supporting these type of exchanges (Rotary has clubs in most countries, and this or other service organization support would certainly help).
6. Clearly, we all have to be entrepreneurial and work on developing fund-raising and a sustainable source of revenues to support this good work.  There are many corporate and individual foundations out there with an interest in peace and non-violence at the world, community, family and individual levels.  Do you know any in your country?

"Maybe it would be advisable for us to meet... At first ,we suggest that ,the canadian center for peace sudies can promote a workshop in our country about peace or peace studies in collaboration with our organisation...this is the first possibilty ,the second possibility,is to know if it is possible to send us an invitation in order to visit your center in CANADA?"

First, Do you have anyone from your country living in, or visiting, Canada who can meet?  We are hoping to have workshops from time to time to action the UN Year and Decade of a Culture of Peace, and possibly they could participate, and provide the opportunity for us to talk more closely.  Doing a workshop in your country is a very good idea - thought has to be given to the preparations (and answering many of the same questions as above).  As for a visit to the Canadian Centre, what you see on our web site is the major features we have to offer and our method of operations is to 'come to you through the Internet'.  I would be pleased to provide specific information as required.

Conclusion

Well, in summary, there is homework for both of us to pursue these things further.

Please let me know your views, and more about your organization by filling out the form below.

Best wishes in your peace building efforts,
Bob Stewart, Director
Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace
stewartr [at] peace.ca
http://www.peace.ca

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INTERESTED IN BUILDING A CENTRE FOR TEACHING PEACE IN YOUR COUNTRY?

1. Tell us as much as possible about you and your organization, and the level of local/national support.

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Last Update:  10 Dec 2006