Wednesday 21st September 2016 International Day of Peace

It is a day for strengthening the ideals of peace. International day of Peace was created in 1981 by the United Nations (UN), and is celebrated every year on September 21st. It is a day for strengthening the ideals of peace. Brief introduction to IDP 2

What is Peace? Listening (to ourselves, to God, to others) Compromise Teacher ‘brainstorms’ ideas with students, listens to their responses, discusses them with the group. The above answers are ones suggested by JM and can be introduced to help deepen students responses. They are not ‘compulsory’. Avoiding tensions and conflict Unselfishness Accepting and respecting differences 3

What is peace according to our Christian faith? The next few slides give students an idea of peace and the Catholic faith. What ‘peace’ is according to the Bible and to notable Christians.

What is peace according to our Christian faith? Peace and Jesus Jesus taught us lots about peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid…I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” [John14:27, 16:33]

What is peace according to our Christian faith? Peace and the Jesuits St Ignatius of Loyola: Keep your soul in peace. Let God work in you. Welcome thoughts that raise your heart to God. Open wide the window of your soul. Pope Francis: Our world is being torn apart by wars and violence… I ask Christians in communities throughout the world to offer a radiant and attractive witness of communion…

Peace and Jesuit Missions What is peace according to our Christian faith? Peace and Jesuit Missions "Jesuit Missions is committed to social justice. We believe peace isn’t just the absence of violence. It is also about changing the injustices and inequalities which scar our society so that all people have the opportunity and the means to live life to the full." Click here to check out Jesuit Missions’ Monthly Prayer Page – this month’s topic is peace.

Peace Tree So far you have considered: ‘What is peace?’ and ‘What is peace according to our Christian faith?’ Now it’s time to consider ‘Peace in your life’. To help you ‘increase the peace’ in your life we are going to create a Peace Tree… Introduction of the ‘Peace Tree’ activity. The resource ‘Peace Tree Template’ is to be used by students and can be adapted or modified as desired by the teacher (for example more ‘roots’ and ‘branches’)

Peace Tree: Part 1 First we begin with the roots. Let’s ask ourselves: ‘What is obstructing peace in my life?’ This could be anything in your life, your school community or your local area – whatever you think is preventing peace. Write your ideas as the roots of your peace tree.

Peace Tree: Part 2 Now we consider the branches of the tree. Let’s consider: ‘How can I bring peace to the world around me?’ To help you, here are some ideas…

How can I bring peace to the world around me? Peace in my school community Peace in my local community Help tackle school issues Peer mentoring School councils Making friends and reconciling differences with others Anti-bullying campaigns Coping with heavy workload and exam stress Take part in a different extra-curricular club Speak to your chaplaincy team Take part in chaplaincy events (pilgrimages, prayer groups etc.) Do voluntary work (such as the ‘Arrupe Programme’) to help those in need in: primary schools nursing homes hostels for the homeless or asylum seekers foodbanks Join or create social justice groups awareness raising, letter writing, campaigning, and praying for particular local issues you feel strongly about. Consideration of personal life has been deliberately omitted here due to it’s more private and personalised nature, but teachers can sensitively help students with solutions for these is they are ‘stuck’. Students are being challenged to not only be “men and women for others” but also “men and women with others”. They are challenged to do this in a clear and tangible way in their local area and community.

Peace Tree: Part 2 Now we consider the branches of the tree. Let’s consider: ‘How can I bring peace to the world around me?’ Write your responses as the branches of your peace tree. [They should mirror the roots below and be solutions to your earlier problems] The key to this exercise is that whatever ‘is obstructing peace in the life’ of students, whatever they have written as ‘roots’ is then reflected in the ‘branches’ above, responding to or solving the students’ problems and making this a productive reflective task.

Peace Pledge Turn the branches of your tree into a poster to display on your classroom or bedroom wall. This is your Peace Pledge for this school year! This can be completed at home as homework. It is recommended that students can put their ideas into a succinct list of resolutions of peace for the upcoming academic year.

Prayer of Peace The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

Wednesday 21st September 2016 International Day of Peace