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

1. One Rotarian’s Path to Peace And THE CANADIAN PEACE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE PRESENTATION TO RECIFE, BRAZIL PEACE EDUCATION CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 18, 2005

2. Historically, Canada has been in the middle of the pack when it comes to Peace Education. The bottom line = there is a lot of opportunity for improvement + there is a lot of opportunity for me and Rotary to make a difference. The Bob Stewart perspective:

3. A major reason for the lack of peace education resources – there has been a lack of motivation and action. To those who proclaim an interest in peace, the challenge is, “Show me the money.” It is not there in any significant way.

4. I had difficulty getting the information that I needed to do something to contribute to peace. So I created my own: Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace, a virtual centre at http://www.peace.ca Since incorporation in 1998, we have had over 1,000,000 visitors to the site, We are currently averaging over 50,000 visitors per month, from around the world, We are the best (most active) peace web site in Canada and one of the best in the world (in plain language, suitable for all readers), Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace:

5. We host National and several Provincial Peace Education Conferences annually, We host several email listservers, to provide tools for communication, networking, dialogue and information dissemination. The web site works for peace even when I am on vacation Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace:

6. In the process, I have developed some significant expertise in peacebuilding, peace education and leadership. I am pleased to offer my service to others, in the spirit of Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”. (a perfect example of servant leadership; I recommend the book Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf)

7. At our First Annual Peace Education Conference in Canada, at McMaster University in Hamilton, we developed a Canadian Peace Education Strategy: to get peace education onto the Canadian agenda in the near term, and to get peace education integrated into all schools and curricula within the decade. This is consistent with the Hague Appeal for Peace Global Campaign for Peace Education, and United Nations/UNESCO research. Ultimately, all children need to learn peaceful means to manage conflict and prevent violence. Available online at http://www.peace.ca/conference2002summary.htm Canadian Peace Education Strategy:

8. At our Third Annual Peace Education Conference in Canada this past November (2004), we gave birth to a new Canadian Culture of Peace Program, which I chair. Its mission is to advance a Culture of Peace and Non-violence, at home and abroad. It is a National Culture of Peace Program linked to the United Nations’ International Culture of Peace and Non-violence Program for the Children of the World (we are currently at the mid-point of the Decade for a Culture of Peace). We enjoy the benefit of UNESCO’s valuable research. Canadian Culture of Peace Program:

9. The CCOPP” is a Civil Society initiative, open to everyone and all institutions in Canada. It is an institution gathering people and organizations who have accepted the common purpose of building a Culture of Peace, and a common discipline to guide the pursuit of that purpose, to the end that each involved person reaches higher fulfillment as a person, through serving and being served by the common venture, than would be achieved alone or in a less committed relationship. You can get more information at http://www.peace.ca/canadiancultureofpeace.htm Canadian Culture of Peace Program (“CCOPP”):

10. CULTURE OF WAR AND VIOLENCE Belief in power that is based on force Having an enemy Authoritarian governance Secrecy and propaganda Armament Exploitation of people Exploitation of nature Male domination CULTURE OF PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE Education for a culture of peace Tolerance, solidarity and international understanding Democratic participation Free flow of information Disarmament Human rights Sustainable development Equality of women and men VALUES, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS COMPARISON:

11. Because the year 2000 must be a new beginning, an opportunity to transform - all together - the culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence, Because this transformation demands the participation of each and every one of us, and must offer young people and future generations the values that can inspire them to shape a world based on justice, solidarity, liberty, dignity, harmony and prosperity for all, Because the culture of peace can underpin sustainable development, environmental protection and the well-being of each person, Because I am aware of my share of responsibility for the future of humanity, in particular to the children of today and tomorrow, … Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):

12. I pledge in my daily life, in my family, my work, my community, my country and my region, to: Respect the life and dignity of each human being without discrimination or prejudice; Practice active non-violence, rejecting violence in all its forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economical and social, in particular towards the most deprived and vulnerable such as children and adolescents; Share my time and material resources in a spirit of generosity to put an end to exclusion, injustice and political and economic oppression; Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):

13. Defend freedom of expression and cultural diversity, giving preference always to dialogue and listening without engaging in fanaticism, defamation and the rejection of others; Promote consumer behavior that is responsible and development practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature on the planet; Contribute to the development of my community, with the full participation of women and respect for democratic principles, in order to create together new forms of solidarity. Our Pledge (Manifesto 2000):

14. CCOPP Stakeholder Web – a network of stakeholders that scrutinizes and attempts to influence Canada’s behavior with respect to peace and violence. CCOPP’s role is one of catalyst and facilitator. Refer to http://www.peace.ca/CCOPPorganization2004.htm How to build a Culture of Peace:

15. The United Nations Culture of Peace Program tells us that we need to transform all institutions from a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace. Stakeholder webs are a powerful force for transformation. They actively investigate, evaluate, and seek to change the behaviors of institutions (such as corporations, governments, educational institutions, religious organizations, NGOs, etc.) to achieve better alignment with the values and interests of their participants – in this case, a Culture of Peace. Transformation:

16. Filling in the Peace and Education Gaps. What we found in doing an environmental scan of the peace industry in Canada and the world was an information void, a leadership void, a resource void, and an educational void preventing the building of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence. Our purpose is to fill those key voids. Refer to http://www.peace.ca/CCOPPpeaceeducation.htm How to build a Culture of Peace:

17. understanding macropeace, or the ‘big peace picture’, how to teach peace (peace pedagogy), peace leadership and servant leadership, peace psychology, relationship building, critical and creative thinking, self-sufficiency, independence, cooperation, competition, community and citizenship,… Course examples:

18. conflict transformation, open space technology (how to make every conference and classroom open to maximum participation), having difficult and crucial conversations, peace education at the family level and good parenting, etc. How many of these courses are currently taught in your schools? Course examples (cont.):

19. The Bad News: it is not that we do not know what to do, it is that we do not do it. "The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it without doing anything." - Albert Einstein Conclusions:

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

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

22. Questions?

23. Thank you Bob Stewart stewartr@peace.ca www.peace.ca