Posted: April 02 2010,11:42 |
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Postal address of organization/institution
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8001 Thornley Court (new address will be 6306 Valley Rd, Bethesda, 20817 after June 1, 2010) Bethesda, MD 20817
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E-mail address of organization/institution
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kim@kimweichel.org
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Website address of organization/institution
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www.kimweichel.org
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Telephone of organization/institution
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240-499-8435
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PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity |
EDUCATION FOR PEACE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HUMAN RIGHTS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
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TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity |
EDUCATION FOR PEACE
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PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?
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Pathways To Peace Society for International Development United Nations Association Peace X Peace Fulbright program Alliance for Peacebuilding The Peace Company Leadership Africa Bali Institute for Global Renewal Peace and Collaborative Development Network Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum Institute for Inclusive Security Search for Common Ground US Institute for Peace US Global Leadership Campaign Connect U.S. Fund Global Systems
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ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.
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Provided training in conflict resolution, nonviolence and communication in schools for students, teachers and parents Provided training in conflict resolution and communication in communities and in organizations Worked with UN agencies in the fields of education, peacebuilding, human rights and women's advancement Wrote and published articles on a range of UN issues Designed and conducted leadership training Developed leadership curriculum for middle schools in conflict area in Senegal Facilitated Quest for Global Healing conferences in Indonesia Led conflict resolution training in Indonesia and Taiwan Worked on international education and cross cultural initiatives with the Institute for International Education Advocate for women's empowerment with UNIFEM, Global Fund for Women, Women to Women International
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade? |
Yes there has been progress. Training provides essential skills and understanding that help transform attitudes and behavior. We have seen remarkable progress in schools and organizations after our trainings. We'd like to see these required in ALL schools. Today there is a much greater understanding of differences of all kinds and consciousness that we need to be more tolerant and accepting of others. With access to the internet and greater global movement people are connected with different cultures, ideologies, ethnicities, etc that helps break down barriers.
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OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?
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A primary obstacle to offering conflict resolution training in schools and communities is funding. Schools have limited budgets and time, and prioritize the core subjects. Yet these are critical life skills that need to be taught in every school. We plan to work with the Dept of Education to introduce these life skils and make them mandatory so budget is no longer an obstacle. We feel this is a critical step to reduce conflict and violence in our society. Another obstacle is the need prioritize cooperation and understanding rather than competiion in our society.
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PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?
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We have a number of plans. One is to work with the Dept of Education in Washington DC to explore a required course on life skills for all grades K-12 across the country. We are working with the Institute for Inclusive Security to provide needed skills for women peacebuilders primarily in conflict areas We are working with the United Nations to ensure there is a more comprehensive focus on women's advancement in all UN programs We are educating Congress about the importance of including peacebuilding training and understanding in all foreign aid projects and personnel and will include this in the revised Foreign Aid Act.
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GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??
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More hard core information about the costs of violence, what concrete steps people can take to live in peace, what it actually means to live in peace (not just meditating on a mountaintop), daily steps and practices, etc. It would be great to get a series of in-depth articles in the NY Times and other papers about these kinds of issues, otherwise they are seen as fringe and for hippies. We need to make these mainstream and practical. This is what we are trying to do.
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