PRESENTATION TO RECIFE, BRAZIL PEACE EDUCATION PRESENTATION TO RECIFE, BRAZIL PEACE EDUCATION CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 18, 2005CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 18, 2005

► One Rotarian’s One Rotarian’s Path to PeacePath to Peace

AndAnd

► THE CANADIAN THE CANADIAN PEACE PEACE EDUCATION EDUCATION EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE

The Bob Stewart perspective:The Bob Stewart perspective:

► Historically, Canada has Historically, Canada has been in the middle of been in the middle of the pack when it comes the pack when it comes to Peace Education. to Peace Education.

► The bottom line = there The bottom line = there is a lot of opportunity for is a lot of opportunity for improvement +improvement + there is there is a lot of opportunity a lot of opportunity for me and Rotary to for me and Rotary to make a differencemake a difference..

► A major reason for the A major reason for the lack of peace education lack of peace education resources – there has resources – there has been a lack of been a lack of motivation and action. motivation and action.

► To those who proclaim To those who proclaim an interest in peace, an interest in peace, the challenge is, the challenge is, “Show me the “Show me the money.” It is not money.” It is not there in any there in any significant way.significant way.

Canadian Centres for Teaching Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace:Peace:

► I had difficulty getting the I had difficulty getting the information that I needed to do information that I needed to do something to contribute to something to contribute to peace. So I created my own: peace. So I created my own: Canadian Centres for Teaching Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace, a virtual centre at Peace, a virtual centre at http://http://www.peace.cawww.peace.ca

► Since incorporation in 1998, we Since incorporation in 1998, we have had over 1,000,000 have had over 1,000,000 visitors to the site,visitors to the site,

► We are currently We are currently averaging averaging over 50,000 visitors per over 50,000 visitors per monthmonth, from around the world,, from around the world,

► We are the best (most active) We are the best (most active) peace web site in Canada and peace web site in Canada and one of the best in the world (in one of the best in the world (in plain language, suitable for all plain language, suitable for all readers), readers),

Canadian Centres for Teaching Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace:Peace:

► We host National and We host National and several Provincial Peace several Provincial Peace Education Conferences Education Conferences annually,annually,

► We host several email We host several email listservers, to provide listservers, to provide tools for communication, tools for communication, networking, dialogue networking, dialogue and information and information dissemination.dissemination.

► The web site works for The web site works for peace even when I am peace even when I am on vacationon vacation

► In the process, I have In the process, I have developed some developed some significant expertise in significant expertise in peacebuilding, peace peacebuilding, peace education and education and leadership.leadership.

► I am pleased to offer my I am pleased to offer my service to others, in the service to others, in the spirit of Rotary’s motto spirit of Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”. “Service Above Self”.

► (a perfect example of (a perfect example of servant leadership; I servant leadership; I recommend the book recommend the book Servant Leadership by Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf)Robert Greenleaf)

Canadian Peace Education Canadian Peace Education Strategy:Strategy:

► At our First Annual Peace Education At our First Annual Peace Education Conference in Canada, at McMaster Conference in Canada, at McMaster University in Hamilton, we University in Hamilton, we developed a Canadian Peace developed a Canadian Peace Education Strategy: Education Strategy:

► to get peace education onto the to get peace education onto the Canadian agenda in the near term, Canadian agenda in the near term, andand

► to get peace education integrated to get peace education integrated into all schools and curricula within into all schools and curricula within the decade.the decade.

► This is consistent with the Hague This is consistent with the Hague Appeal for Peace Global Campaign Appeal for Peace Global Campaign for Peace Education, and United for Peace Education, and United Nations/UNESCO research. Nations/UNESCO research. Ultimately, all children need to Ultimately, all children need to learn peaceful means to manage learn peaceful means to manage conflict and prevent violence.conflict and prevent violence.

► Available online at Available online at http://www.peace.ca/conference20http://www.peace.ca/conference2002summary.htm02summary.htm

Canadian Culture of Peace Canadian Culture of Peace Program:Program:

► At our Third Annual Peace At our Third Annual Peace Education Conference in Education Conference in Canada this past November Canada this past November (2004), we gave birth to a new (2004), we gave birth to a new Canadian Culture of Peace Canadian Culture of Peace Program, which I chair. Program, which I chair.

► Its Its mission is to advance a mission is to advance a Culture of Peace and Non-Culture of Peace and Non-violence, at home and violence, at home and abroadabroad. .

► It is a National Culture of Peace It is a National Culture of Peace Program linked to the United Program linked to the United Nations’ International Culture Nations’ International Culture of Peace and Non-violence of Peace and Non-violence Program for the Children of the Program for the Children of the World (we are currently at the World (we are currently at the mid-point of the Decade for a mid-point of the Decade for a Culture of Peace). Culture of Peace).

► We enjoy the benefit of We enjoy the benefit of UNESCO’s valuable research.UNESCO’s valuable research.

Canadian Culture of Peace Canadian Culture of Peace Program (“CCOPP”):Program (“CCOPP”):

► The CCOPP” is a Civil Society The CCOPP” is a Civil Society initiative, open to everyone and initiative, open to everyone and all institutions in Canada. all institutions in Canada.

► It is an institution gathering It is an institution gathering people and organizations who people and organizations who have accepted have accepted the common the common purpose of building a purpose of building a Culture of Peace, and a Culture of Peace, and a common disciplinecommon discipline to guide to guide the pursuit of that purpose, to the pursuit of that purpose, to the end that each involved the end that each involved person reaches higher person reaches higher fulfillment as a person, through fulfillment as a person, through serving and being served by the serving and being served by the common venture, than would be common venture, than would be achieved alone or in a less achieved alone or in a less committed relationship.committed relationship.

► You can get more information at You can get more information at http://http://www.peace.ca/canadiancultureowww.peace.ca/canadiancultureofpeace.htmfpeace.htm

VALUES, ATTITUDES AND VALUES, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS COMPARISON:BEHAVIORS COMPARISON:

CULTURE OF WAR AND VIOLENCECULTURE OF WAR AND VIOLENCE

► Belief in power that is based Belief in power that is based on force on force

► Having an enemyHaving an enemy

► Authoritarian governanceAuthoritarian governance► Secrecy and propagandaSecrecy and propaganda► ArmamentArmament► Exploitation of peopleExploitation of people► Exploitation of natureExploitation of nature► Male dominationMale domination

CULTURE OF PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCECULTURE OF PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE

► Education for a culture of Education for a culture of peacepeace

► Tolerance, solidarity and Tolerance, solidarity and international understandinginternational understanding

► Democratic participationDemocratic participation► Free flow of informationFree flow of information► DisarmamentDisarmament► Human rightsHuman rights► Sustainable developmentSustainable development► Equality of women and menEquality of women and men

Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):► Because the year 2000 must be a new Because the year 2000 must be a new

beginning, an opportunity to transform - beginning, an opportunity to transform - all together - the culture of war and all together - the culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence into a culture of peace and non-violence,violence,

► Because this transformation demands Because this transformation demands the participation of each and every one the participation of each and every one of us, and must offer young people and of us, and must offer young people and future generations the values that can future generations the values that can inspire them to shape a world based on inspire them to shape a world based on justice, solidarity, liberty, dignity, justice, solidarity, liberty, dignity, harmony and prosperity for all,harmony and prosperity for all,

► Because the culture of peace can Because the culture of peace can underpin sustainable development, underpin sustainable development, environmental protection and the well-environmental protection and the well-being of each person,being of each person,

► Because I am aware of my share of Because I am aware of my share of responsibility for the future of humanity, responsibility for the future of humanity, in particular to the children of today and in particular to the children of today and tomorrow, … tomorrow, …

Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):I pledge in my daily life, in my I pledge in my daily life, in my

family, my work, my community, family, my work, my community, my country and my region, to: my country and my region, to:

► RespectRespect the life and dignity of the life and dignity of each human being without each human being without discrimination or prejudice;discrimination or prejudice;

► Practice active non-violence, Practice active non-violence, rejecting violencerejecting violence in all its in all its forms: physical, sexual, forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economical and psychological, economical and social, in particular towards the social, in particular towards the most deprived and vulnerable most deprived and vulnerable such as children and such as children and adolescents;adolescents;

► ShareShare my time and material my time and material resources in a spirit of generosity resources in a spirit of generosity to put an end to exclusion, to put an end to exclusion, injustice and political and injustice and political and economic oppression;economic oppression;

Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):► Defend freedomDefend freedom of of

expression and cultural expression and cultural diversity, giving preference diversity, giving preference always to dialogue and always to dialogue and listening without engaging in listening without engaging in fanaticism, defamation and the fanaticism, defamation and the rejection of others;rejection of others;

► Promote consumer behavior Promote consumer behavior that is that is responsibleresponsible and and development practices that development practices that respect all forms of life and respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature preserve the balance of nature on the planet;on the planet;

► Contribute to the development Contribute to the development of my community, with the full of my community, with the full participation of women and participation of women and respect for democratic respect for democratic principles, in order to create principles, in order to create together new forms of together new forms of solidaritysolidarity..

How to build a Culture of How to build a Culture of Peace:Peace:

► CCOPP Stakeholder CCOPP Stakeholder Web – a network of Web – a network of stakeholders that stakeholders that scrutinizes and scrutinizes and attempts to influence attempts to influence Canada’s behavior Canada’s behavior with respect to peace with respect to peace and violence.and violence.

► CCOPP’s role is one of CCOPP’s role is one of catalyst and catalyst and facilitator.facilitator.

► Refer to Refer to http://www.peace.ca/CCOPPorganizhttp://www.peace.ca/CCOPPorganization2004.htmation2004.htm

Transformation:Transformation:► The United Nations Culture of The United Nations Culture of

Peace Program tells us that Peace Program tells us that we we need to transform all need to transform all institutions from a Culture institutions from a Culture of Violence to a Culture of of Violence to a Culture of Peace. Peace.

► Stakeholder webs are a Stakeholder webs are a powerful force for powerful force for transformation. transformation.

► They actively investigate, They actively investigate, evaluate, and seek to change evaluate, and seek to change the behaviors of institutions the behaviors of institutions (such as corporations, (such as corporations, governments, educational governments, educational institutions, religious institutions, religious organizations, NGOs, etc.) to organizations, NGOs, etc.) to achieve better alignment with achieve better alignment with the values and interests of the values and interests of their participants – in this case, their participants – in this case, a Culture of Peace.a Culture of Peace.

How to build a Culture of How to build a Culture of Peace:Peace:

► Filling in the Peace and Filling in the Peace and Education Gaps. Education Gaps.

► What we found in doing What we found in doing an environmental scan an environmental scan of the peace industry in of the peace industry in Canada and the world Canada and the world was an information was an information void, a leadership void, void, a leadership void, a resource void, and an a resource void, and an educational void educational void preventing the building preventing the building of a Culture of Peace of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence. and Non-violence.

► Our purpose is to fill Our purpose is to fill those key voids.those key voids.

► Refer to Refer to http://www.peace.ca/CCOPPpeaceehttp://www.peace.ca/CCOPPpeaceeducation.htmducation.htm

Course examples:Course examples:

► understanding macropeace, understanding macropeace, or the ‘big peace picture’, or the ‘big peace picture’,

► how to teach peace (peace how to teach peace (peace pedagogy), pedagogy),

► peace leadership and peace leadership and servant leadership, servant leadership,

► peace psychology, peace psychology, ► relationship building, relationship building, ► critical and creative thinking,critical and creative thinking,► self-sufficiency, self-sufficiency,

independence, cooperation, independence, cooperation, competition, community and competition, community and citizenship,…citizenship,…

Course examples (cont.):Course examples (cont.):

► conflict transformation, conflict transformation, ► open space technology (how open space technology (how

to make every conference to make every conference and classroom open to and classroom open to maximum participation), maximum participation),

► having difficult and crucial having difficult and crucial conversations, conversations,

► peace education at the peace education at the family level and good family level and good parenting, etc.parenting, etc.

► How many of these courses How many of these courses are currently taught in your are currently taught in your schools?schools?

Conclusions:Conclusions:

► The Bad News: it is not The Bad News: it is not that we do not know that we do not know what to do, it is that we what to do, it is that we do not do it. do not do it.

► "The world is "The world is dangerous not because dangerous not because of those who do harm, of those who do harm, but because of those but because of those who look at it without who look at it without doing anything." - doing anything." - Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Conclusions:Conclusions:

► The Good News: The Good News: since 9/11, the Iraq since 9/11, the Iraq War and the Bush War and the Bush Doctrine, there has Doctrine, there has been more Peace been more Peace Education than ever Education than ever before in the history before in the history of mankind.of mankind.

► I hope that our I hope that our evolving Canadian evolving Canadian Model will provide Model will provide you with food for you with food for thought.thought.

► Questions?Questions?

► Thank youThank you

► Bob StewartBob Stewart

► stewartr@peace.castewartr@peace.ca

► www.peace.cawww.peace.ca