The Peace Project , Transforming Conflict into Success Working together to create the next leaders of the 21st Century

Background to Peace Project Jean Best creator of Peace project Retired Head Teacher and HMIE Member of Kirkcudbright Rotary Club District 1020 Peace Officer

Do we need to create Peace Advocates

Latest statistics tell us…. 17 young people commit suicide every day in the UK. We do not know the number who try and fail. We do know they will probably keep trying.

Peace and Conflict Resolution Project

Peace and Conflict Resolution Project The Peace Advocate Programme Rotarians, Teachers, Youth workers Peace Advocates The World of Peace Fellows. Young People (LEADERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY) Peace and Conflict Resolution Project

Peace Advocate Programme “Young people must become conscious of their responsibilities in the world they will be called upon to manage and should be inspired with confidence in a future of happiness for mankind.” UN General Assembly Resolution 2037 THE PEACE ADVOCATE PROGRAMME will up skill our young people to empower them to answer this resolution . A quote to demonstrate the need for rotary involvement with our young people. The Peace Advocate Programme is one of the tools we can use to make this resolution come to reality

Vision statement The Peace Programme would like to--- Recognise and acknowledge the innate expertise of young people Enable them to resolve conflict and embrace success Empower them to become Leaders of the 21st Century

Success Criteria All young people feel confident and skilled to take a lead in tackling all forms of conflict to enrich their own lives and the lives of others. They will become Peace Advocates engaging in relevant Peace Projects

Strategy to “Control Conflict, Empower Success” Step 1– Setting Up Step 2- Developing and Achieving Peace Advocate Skills Step 3- Conquering Conflict in Ourselves Step 4- Conquering Conflict in School, in our Community. Step 5- Conquering Conflict in our Home. Step 6- Conquering Global Conflict Overview of the programme. Using 6 Steps to create Peace Advocates. There is a choice for our young people to develop a peace project whenever they feel it is appropriate to their school or community. It is the development of suitable peace projects which will change the world.

Leaders….. “Leaders have to lead professional meetings” “Talking is the foundation of a civil society, it is a major skill in conflict resolution meetings.”

Learn the three major skills in Conflict resolution. Collaborative Conversation Purposeful Listening Purposeful Speaking

Scenario Skill Practice

Understanding the background to Conflict. Conquering Conflict in: Ourselves Our Schools Our Communities Our Homes Our World.

Two types of conflict in our schools Social Conflict, is in the playground/social areas. Educational Conflict, is between teaching and learning. This slide should only be shown after the full discussion with the group around the previous slide. We would expect social conflict to be the major reason for conflict in school. Educational conflict may come up in the guise of exam pressure etc. However what we really mean here is the conflict created by not being able to access leaning because of the teaching. Ensure that this does not get personal, it is the not the teacher, but the teaching. Youngsters will admit that they prefer some lessons to others, probably because they like the teacher. What they actually like is the way the teacher teaches. Facilitators must make this point clearly. In the group talk about the words made out of the word “teaching”. Ask if they agree that this is what should be seen in all aspects of education.

Conflict in our communities

The Joy of Being Different…

Stereotype

Prejudice What do we mean by “prejudice”? Does the picture opposite demonstrate prejudice. ? Is there prejudice in your community? If so how does it manifest itself? Enabling discussion to gain an understanding of the groups thoughts about prejudice

BIAS.. Collect several newspapers with the same items of news i.e. news on the same day. Compare and contrast the reports. Which one do you think is true? How will you choose? One of the major difficulties our young people face in the 21st century is how to make an informed choice. They are bombarded with information from many different sources. How do they decide who to believe and which one to choose. This slide gives the opportunity for this discussion to develop. Firstly they must understand that bias exists. Secondly, they need to work out a strategy to help them make in informed decision. By now the group should be able to discuss without feeling threatened and an understanding that all opinions are valuable.

Unchallenged this leads to….. GENOCIDE The deliberate systemic extermination of an entire people It is only by challenging belittling jokes, name calling, ridicule, harassment, threats and desecration that we can begin to conquer conflict in our communities, our countries and the planet.

Conquering Conflict in the Home We are all in the same family, we must be the same? We all went to school so we must all learn in the same way? Male and female are people so we must all be the same?

Putting skills into practise, The development of a Peace Advocate Service Project can take place after the skills section has been completed. Impact of the programme is defined by the project undertaken

Examples of projects Facilitating the programme to the next school group . Club set up to raise awareness of sexual orientation. A film club set up to help break down barriers between two gangs in the school. Meetings set up to explore ways to cope with internet bullying. Raising awareness of mental health problems in the school. An after school group to work with parents to cope with teenage problems.

How will Rotarians in Ireland get involved? Creation of a Peace Officer within Foundation. Peace Officer acts as link between clubs and Peace Project. Peace officer organises a training date, venue etc. Training takes 8-10 hrs, best facilitated over 2days. Clubs use the Peace Project to set up a culture of peace

What can you do to create the next leaders in your communities? Create Peace leaders in your clubs Take the facilitator training, 8-10 hrs Work with young people-- 1/2hr per week 2hrs x4 per year Residential 8hrs

Our young people need you.. Making a Difference Our young people need you..