I came across the work of the TAE project while I was studying abroad in London last semester. On a trip to the British Museum one Saturday afternoon I found myself standing in front of a massive metal sculpture thinking to myself how impressive it looked. The plaque read “Tree of Life” and as I examined the sculpture once again I notice it was made out of guns and gun parts. I continued to read the description about the piece of artwork, searching for where it originated. Turns out it was created by a group of artist who were survivors of the 15 year civil war.

Founded in 1995 by Bishop Dom Dinis Sengulane through the Christian Council of Mozambique the Transforming Arms into Ploughshares project  (TAE) takes decommissioned weapons and transforms them into beautiful works of metal art. Bishop Sengulane’s idea behind the project was to, “facilitate community dialogue and civic education dealing with reconciliation, memory, healing and forgiveness”. In 1997 he decided to partner with a long-standing arts organization in Maputo Mozambique called Núcleo de Arte. Wanting to “glorify peace” and “visually memorialize” it Bishop Sengulane challenged artist to transform the weapons into symbols of peace.

The idea of peacebuilding, peacekeeping, and peace education through the arts is a powerful one. Through projects like TAE people are able to remember the cost of conflict by focusing the anger and frustration into something constructive. I would suggest that this example of peace education through art could be used for children and adults a like. The type of art would vary from age to age whether it is painting/drawing or carving and sculpting. In the TAE project they use metal sculpting requiring the use of tools such as welders and hammers. That type of art would obviously be reserved for the older age range.

Ways to use Resource:

Educators especially art educators who would be the best equip to implement a project like this would need ample time. It would be an ongoing project. Time would vary depending on the type of art. The “Tree of Life” sculpture that I saw in London took 3 months to create. The materials needed would be based on the type of conflict the individual was trying to portray. So in the example of TAE they dismantle guns and use other dismantled weapons as material for their artwork.

Goal:

The goal of the TAE project is to help those affected by the 15 years of civil war in Mozambique reconcile the conflict. Through making artwork portraying peace it allows for the artist to remember but move forward from the past conflict. TAE is “adding another dimension to the reconciliation process by actually preventing conflict by making weapons unusable. Instead of tools for killing they become tools for peace keeping.” The TAE project touches on a few of the pillars of peace education, specifically community building because brings people together to participate in its program. The other pillar of peace education that the project exemplifies is enabling multiple intelligences and exploring approaches to peace. The pillar of approaches to peace is especially the case, because they take weapons that may still be functional and decommission them so they can’t be used for killing, but instead incorporated into artwork that portrays peace.

Audience:

If I were able to share this resource with people my audience would definitely be art teachers in school or art educators in community centers. I would also try and target counselors who use alternative methods to get their patients to express his or herself in a constructive, nonviolent, and peaceful way.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ezDK7SN7I&feature=player_embedded

Resources:

PeacePortal.org

http://www.peaceportal.org/web/stories-contest/the-winners/-/asset_publisher/qNG8/content/%E2%80%9Crecycling-weapons-of-war-into-tools-for-peace-building-in-post-conflict-mozambique%E2%80%9D

Peoplebuildingpeace.org

http://www.peoplebuildingpeace.org/thestories/article.php?typ=theme&id=147&pid=33

United States Institute of Peace

http://peacemedia.usip.org/resource/art-lifes-sake-tree-guns

The “Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict” is a book that has also been created into a learning experience conference. The Anatomy of Peace allows readers and class participants to learn how to address problems and conflicts that exist at work, in the family or community. The Anatomy of Peace addresses the issue in that we may mistakenly put blame onto external circumstances instead of looking inward. Only by fostering a personal, inner peace can we find ways to resolve the exterior conflicts.

The different Principles of Non-Violence explained in The Anatomy of Peace:

-Every human being is a person – a being with hopes, needs, cares, and fears.

-When we regard others’ hopes, needs, cares and fears as inferior to, or less legitimate than, our own, we see others as less than they are – as objects rather that as people.

-To see a fellow person as an inferior object is to harbor a hard and violent heart toward that person.

-To see others as objects, then, is to do violence to them – it is to strike them with stoney hearts.

-When others detect violence in our hearts, they tend to become defensive and to see us as objects. Violence in one heart provokes violence in others.

-Most occasions of outward violence are manifestations of a prior, and often escalating, conflict between violent hearts. And attempts to curb violence, if done with a violent heart, actually provoke further violence.

-Any effort to reduce outward violence will succeed only to the extent that it addresses the prior and core problem – and the problem of violent hearts.

The Anatomy of Peace Course:

Different courses are offered so that people can be taught different ways to help apply the different principles taught in the book. The class offers dialogue to deeper broaden the different relationships. The course is either taught in a full day, 8 hour conference, or via telephone for 1 hour each week.

             The Anatomy of Peace Group Coaching course will develop a heart at peace and make real, noticeable improvements in relationships.

There is actually an Anatomy of Peace 8-Week Course by Phone being offered from May 16^th-July 11^th. Go here to find out more information and to register:

Here is a TedX talk video  from James Ferrell. Ferrell is a founding partner of The Arbinger Institute. The Arbinger Institute is the producer of The Anatomy of Peace. Ferrell talks about Resolving the Heart of Conflict, an overarching theme in the Anatomy of Peace and non-violent conflict.

Resources:

http://www.arbinger.com/

http://www.arbinger.com/events/public-seminars/

There are many different organizations that promote leadership and peace education. However there are far more programs that are forgotten or under-utilized. This program falls under that category. I am promoting this program because I have seen how effective it can be and I think this program can become useful to schools around the country.

National Association of Teen Institutes or NATI, as its members know it, was established in 1965. This organization promotes supports and advocates for leadership and prevention programs. NATI is the umbrella, which all the teen institutes of the nation fall under.

            All of the teen institutes work under a specific model that was developed by NATI. This model is taken from Icek Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior. There are five major elements that accompany the model.

1. An All-Encompassing Focus on Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards
2. Opportunities for Pro-Social Bonding, Attachment and Commitment
3. Meaningful Opportunities to Participate Actively
4. Recognition and Reinforcement for Learning and Applying Life Skills
5. Life Skills Training for Healthy Lifestyle Choice

I was pulled into this program after 4 years of service to my teen institute held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I became a Youth Affairs Liaison and was able to travel to several different cities to work with the teen institutes to try and improve and strengthen their programs. The program takes place over 3 to 7 days, depending on the program.

A program that has been very successful is the Tennessee Teen Institute. The overall goal of the Tennessee Teen Institute is to promote the development of a healthy, safe and drug-free lifestyle by impacting the attitudes and behaviors of our youth in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence. TTI facilitates this by having young people develop Action Plans to implement prevention projects and programs in their schools and communities. TTI focuses on youth leadership skills and empowerment as key strategies to prevent underage alcohol and drug use.

There are many workshops that take place throughout the several days of instruction. Here are two of my favorite workshops presented to the participants.

1. Jump the line-Participants stand on one side of the line and move to the other side when a statement is read that applies to them. The statements will get increasing more intimate towards the end of the exercise. The facilitator has to be able to read the room to see how the participants are handling the exercise because it can become an emotional experience.
2. The participants are given 4 sets of 4 different colored pieces of paper. Each color represents something important to them. The four categories are, family members, favorite things, friends, and hobbies. The students then go through a process and have to choose between different colors and ripping them up. At the end of the exercise the student is left with only one piece of paper because of theoretical bad decisions that were made along the way.

I’ve found these programs to be exceptionally useful to school systems. The institutes teach the students that attend how to become leaders as well as drug and alcohol prevention. The facilitators give them to the tools and capacity to reach out the students of their schools to create a safer and more productive place. These websites offer helpful tips and creative ideas to bring to the classroom.

Resources:

http://www.teeninstitute.org

http://www.tnteeninstitute.net/tti/

International peace efforts are often made in the context of the state system, where ruling governments and the confines of borders define the limits of such efforts. Some of the largest and most powerful inter-governmental organizations exist in the name of international security. Students for International Security (SIS) serves to advocate international security which could lead to peace. I received and analyzed the following information from an interview with an SIS member at George Mason University.

SIS is is a student group, operating on university campuses nationwide. The group’s function is to serve as a forum for intelligent discussion of major theories and issues related to international security. Participants passionately discuss issues via presentations and briefings. Members in the group are tested for their public speaking skills, ability to hold a dialogue with other members, and the academic rigor of their research. SIS is primarily intended for those interested in international relations, which may make it seem like a niche group across the university. Members generally have their eyes set on careers in international organizations, government work and non-governmental organizations related to international security.

The context of Students of International Security has students discussing issues that are life or death for populations worldwide. By focusing on the issue of international security, students are looking for stability in foreign policy and international affairs. The members of the group attempt to raise awareness of certain issues through their presentations and by posting debates on the club’s Facebook page. The club members in general analyze international issues through the lens of the international security field, which is decidedly realist.

Although international security and peace education are not mutual fields of work, there can be much to gain from integrating the literature and theories of both fields. International security theory holds that security dilemmas arise from conflicts of national interests. Further, it has been shown that either through diplomacy or alignment with similar-valued countries, nations can come to agreements that lead to stability and set the groundwork for a greater peace. The main thing to note is that in the theory of international security, peace is not the same as security. Security is safety from potential conflict and peace is the absence of conflict. With international security being the basic framework for modern state relations, it is important for international endeavors in peace education to recognize and adapt to this reality.

SIS Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Students-For-International-Security-SIS/109154669104887

Adolescent peacebuilders utilizing multimedia resource at USIP

While driving in Washington DC one day I passed this really nifty looking, stark white building. Although white buildings are not uncommon in DC this building was particularly interesting because the interior was completely exposed and visible due to a immense glass front. I was so intrigued at the design of the building I decided to research the organization that would build something so innovative and different. It turned out the building, located on Constitution Ave NW, was the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

Through my research I found USIP to be intriguing and exciting. For this reason, I propose USIP would be a fantastic destination for a field trip. Due to its proximity to major highways such as I-95 and I-495 as well as various modes of public transit (i.e. Metro) USIP is highly accessible to schools/communities in the northern Virginia area. Additionally, the only logistics besides transportation involve contacting them by email at buildingpeace@usip.org to iron out any details. All trips are facilitated through the USIP Global Peacebuilding Center.

This field trip could be implemented by classrooms or community programs with pretty much any age group because the lesson plans can be flexible and implemented in different ways dependent upon the teacher’s chosen approach. For example, a field trip such as this can be applied to a range of subject matter from the basics of conflict resolution or peace education to something as simple as studying a community conflict or the Holocaust. The point is to both expand current knowledge for all age groups as well as begin peace education early so it can be internalized and put into practice.

Young future generation of peacebuilders (Kids for Peace)

Along with various possibilities of its implementation there is great variety in the follow-up afterward such as a writing assignment or class discussion about the concepts presented and how they can be applied to a local, national, or global issue, or some other kind of expressive outlet. The field trip itself does not need to be excessively long, a DC day trip for a few hours would suffice, but the duration of the utilization of the knowledge and resources (including online videos/lesson plans) provided by the USIP Global Peacebuilding Center would depend on the instructor. The following is an example of one the video resources on their website. The Rule of Law

**Although time is not an issue, goal-setting and limited explorational guidelines are recommended.

The recognition of real world application and out-of-classroom learning are two components that are often absent from mainstream education and this field trip, paired with multimedia technology, offers an opportunity to remedy that. Visiting USIP and participating with the Global Peacebuilding Center offers the chance to foster a number of vital skills including critical thinking, real world application, conceptualization, and global awareness/understanding to name a few. Also, USIP engages and empowers the students through their myriad of resources. It allows students to see how what they are learning is being addressed or utilized by adults and professionals.

Project Hope: 

http://projecthope.ps/about/

As I was researching for a resource to post on the blog regarding peace education, I came across an organization called Project Hope. Project Hope is a non-profit organization and was started by an international volunteer during the time of invasions and refugee camps in Palestine. During this time, the internationals believed they could commit and engage with women and children. 

Project Hope helps to establish safe areas for children to be able to learn, grow, and thrive. One of the most important values this particular organization conveys is Children Rights.  Children have the utmost right to education, health and security. Through the programs that are established from Project Hope, children will be able to work together in a safe environment. 

One of the values from the organization that I mostly admired was gender equality. 

“We strive to ensure that girls and young women have equal access to the activities we provide. The majority of our students are female, participating in a wide range of activities, from English and computer classes to gymnastics and photography. And with women leading our English and French Departments, female members of staff have a prominent voice in the needs assessment, design, and implementation of our programs as well.” 

Men have the upper hand in various countries within the Middle East. Children may be prone to assumption that women are unable to work outside of home and establish their career lives. Thus, having the opportunity for girls and boys learning and working together is development toward a better future. Also, having primary female staff members as teachers and instructors is another way of conveying the message of EQUALITY.

The education setting for this particular non-profit organization is youth-community based civilians within the country of Palestine. The organization predominantly works with children between the ages 5-17, enhancing their knowledge of technology, learning the English language, sports, graphic design, film + group-based activities. The organization is also extremely passionate about their international staff members. Working with people from different backgrounds can give an open mind to the Palestinian children. Also, the international staff members  that are derived from various parts of the globe can learn from the children and their way of life. 

Ways to use this resource: 

– Way to strengthen this NGO is to not only work on children in Palestine, but also branch out to neighboring countries and/or countries in the Middle East. An educator might want to incorporate this organization, globally. This way, the organization will be more popular and well-known. 

-Another way to enhance or strengthen this particular resource is to establish a  camp that brings kids from various countries within the middle east to work and learn together. Project Hope should maintain the same concept for the kids to enhance their education by various subjects and engagement, but also to have children come together to unite from different countries, cultures, and origins. Discrimination is a main issue: denominations from Islam & Christianity, culture and etc. Kids should be able to look beyond the conflict that was brought up generations before, but promote peace! 

Children will be able to engage with others with a better knowledge and an open mind. It is important for people to understand each other. While this is focusing on literal education, the organization also incorporates peace and equality. 

The audience that I would be focusing on would be the educational systems in Palestine and the various countries that are linked together and the staff members of Project Hope. I’d like to reach out to the educational system in Palestine to allow students to engage in activities with children from different ethnic backgrounds. I want to make it apparent that the purpose for this  organization is  peace. This may take some time to proceed because several school systems in the Middle East refuse and restrict the idea of students being informed about different countries and their customs/cultures. I would also like to reach out to the staff members of this NGO because I’d want this organization to be globally inclined with other countries, not only Palestine. This will benefit the organization as a whole by giving aid to even more people around the world and making a proper name out of this organization. 

Peace Education

1. Content. The resource is a program called PEACE. It is based out of communties in Mexico. I found out about the PEACE program through a friend in Ithaca, NY, whos friend worked on the program her self in Mexico.

2. Context. I believe this would be best implemented in a troubled area, perhaps at a youth center that kids attended. The age level would be between 5-10 years old, the younger we can teach these kids, the better off they will be. I will say for example in downtown Ithaca, this would be a great program, there are some under privvlaged kids and ones who get started on the wrong track, where this could make a big difference. When I was in high school I use to volunteer down at one of the youth centers and it was interesting to see the kids who came through those doors. A program like this would do wonders.

3. Implementation: As far as implementing this program, they should look at the website and see the programs on there. Something they emphasize is the community and being aware of their surroundings. If they were able to get local organizations involved that would be very helpful. Team building activties and real life scenarios would also be great to use in this instance, there is no better way to learn then hands on.

I wouldn’t put a timetable on it. I think it would be best to try out and see where it goes from there. Obviously lesson planning would be helpful so it can be structured and organized.

4. Goal-            I think that one on one peace education is vital here, as well as peace towards the community. They do specify on individuals, but also to respect the community and your surroundings.

The young kids would be able to obtain numerous skills from this program. They would learn how to have a better outlook on life and problems that come towards them every day. I feel they would have a better understanding of them selves as well as others. I think they would be able to look at conflicts from a different angle then before and make a solid solution to the problem at hand.

Audience. I have shared this post with one of the leaders at the community center I volunteered at. I also shared it with one of the peer mediatiors at my middle school that I attended.

http://www.peacemexico.org/map.php