Posted: April 26 2005,23:17 |
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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 first half of the Decade? |
As
a small grassroots peace education committee that has been in existence
since 1985, we have seen a recent solidarity develop between and among
other like-minded peace groups. Our Newsletter has expanded in size and
content to disseminate information about available resources to teach
peace education. Our mailing list has grown from 500 in 2000 to over
850 in 2005 with many who receive it replicating it and passing it on
to other schools. However, there is also a strong culture of violence
that permeates all aspects of children's lives. A culture of fear has
made them more insulated and isolated since 9/11/2001. Families of
military personnel who are in Iraq live with constant tension and
stress. We strive to keep everyone on a positive even keel and people
seem to need to hear encouragement and emphasis on hope. We have
adjusted to that need.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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For
adults, the worldwide news media constantly reporting all that is
negative and sensational. The lack of a free flow or reliable
information from government and corporate controlled media. For
children the entertainment media is the primary obstacle to a culture
of peace .MTV channels, Hollywood films, video games and cartoons all
promote violent behaviors, violent language, disrespect for human
rights and lack of regard for human lives. They promote guns, fighting,
abuse and murder. The message for children is: This is your life,get
used to it and participate or die! A culture of peace can never
co-exist with the current media presented culture of violence and fear.
In the U.S. the federally mandated No Child Left Behind Act has
effectively eliminated time for teaching peace studies and human rights
education because of the emphasis on testing in reading, writing, math
and science.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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Our
committee is made up of active and retired educators who work
individually, each in her own venue, teaching peace education and
spreading a commitment for human rights. As a committee we use
two methods to promote peace: the distribution of our Newsletter
internationally and the sponsorship and development of events and
projects in our local region which is northeast Connecticut comprised
of 25 towns with 75 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten through high
school. The annual events are a culmination of school collaborations
and community participation. Our Curriculum of Hope for A Peaceful
World Newsletter has been continuously published since 1986. It is
primarily for educators and peace groups in 17 countries with the
majority of readers in the United States. We present very basic and
timely philosphy in a Founder's message in each issue. The
message is written to convince readers through encouragement, that in
all circumstances, no matter how bleak, there is HOPE for peace if each
person believes in that hope and ACTS accordingly. Each and every one
of us is needed to be effective in reaching a peaceful world condition.
Peace begins in the heart and mind of individuals who strive to
live a personal life that reflects inner peace. They do so
through acts of kindness, consideration, caring,tolerance, respect and
understanding of basic human rights for all. Each person is encouraged
to accept personal responsibility to act to help all mankind.
That consistent focus in all issues is then supported by the
promulgation of resources to help readers teach all the aforementioned
behavioral concepts. We present resources, materials, book and video
reviews, ideas and opportunities that help educators teach conflict
resolution, altruism, character development, human rights, cultural
understanding, recognition of the importance of the United Nations
programs, celebrations and its vital role on working for a peaceful
world. Each year in the Fall issue we promote International Day of
Peace in September, United Nations Day in October and Human Rights Day
in December citing suggested activities and resources. All materials
are accompanied by websites, cyberaddresses and phone numbers so
readers can access a wealth of information for teaching topics that
lead to peace. Our Newsletter was invited to be included in the Alternate Press Archives in the University of Connecticut Library. Events
and Projects 2001-2005 include annual projects for three months focused
on peace in reading, writing, music and art with culminating activities
in each school Committee members have been Keynote speakers:Vermont
State Convention in 2000. Topic: Promoting Peace in Your Classroom. In
2002, Massachusetts State Convention. Topic: Curriculum of Hope for A
Peaceful World. In 2004 at the Church Women United World Community Day.
Topic: How To Be A Peacemaker. In 2002 we erected a Peace Pole in
Heritage Sate Park, Willimantic, Ct with 12 languages representing the
ethnic population of the area proclaiming May Peace Prevail On Earth. A
PEACE QUILT was created by 20 schools who each provided a square of
their own design. The quilt now hangs in the historic reclaimed Windham
Mills lobby adjacent to Heritage State Park. A PEACE GARDEN was planted
on the site of the Peace Pole by the Green Thumb Club of Southeast
School, Mansfield, CT. Members have presented teacher workshops as
follows: 2001 in Boston. Topic: Personal Peace. In 2003 in Greenbrier,
West Virginia. Topic: Advocating for Human Rights which was repeated in
2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2003 started a PEACE RIBBON project
across the state of Connecticut where 15 groups of women teachers each
made a ribbon to the specifications of The Ribbon International Project
of the Peace Coalition. Ribbons tied together have been displayed for
one month periods in various schools which engaged in a month long
focus on peace education and added a ribbon of their own. This project
willcontinue through 2006. Each September 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, we promote observance of the International Day of Peace. Several
schools in our area participate in a noon silence followed by bell
ringing, reading of original peace essays and poetry, music and artwork
displays. Some schools have made email contact with foreign schools. 2004
we developed an extensive bibliography on Human Rights for participants
in the United Nations CTAUN Educators Conference at the UN building in
NY. 2005 we are guiding the School Ambassadors of the UNESCO Chair
and Institute of Comparative Human Rights at the University of CT in
developing and teaching lessons in local schools on human rights. 2005we
are developing an Activity Binder of classroom units, lessons
activities and bibliographies, grades pre-K-8 for piloting in 20
schools beginning September 2005. Actions of our parent organization, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society Int'l: 1997-2001 provided $60,000 to educate girls in The Gambia, Africa 2001-2003 provided $13,700 funding for schools in Promaya area in Mexico 2004-2005
providing funding for teacher training in Afghanistan based on a
curriculum developed by Teacher's College, Columbia University costing
$24 per teacher. We have raised $102,000 so far!
Peace
Quilt created with 20 schools each adding a square. Schools are
in northeast Connecticut, and quilt was presented to the historic
Windham Mills complex at Heritage State Park, Willimantic, CT, June
2002.
Fourth
graders at the International School at Dundee, Riverside, CT create a
peace ribbon after a month-long unit on Peace. March 2003.
Dedication
ceremony for the Peace Pole installed at Heritage State Park in
Willimantic, CT. Community members read 'May peace prevail on
earth' in their native ethnic languages as they joined hands in peace.
June 2002.
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
Please
recognize that peace begins with children and make peace education a
priority in all nations. Expand UNICEF to help with that goal. Use
and expand your CTAUN,Committee Teaching About the United Nations. Have
them develop a pre-K-12 peace curriculum compatible for use in member
countries.
United Nations status and respect have diminished
because of slow-moving,reactive not proactive stances taken in crisis
situations. The United Nations allows perpetrators of horrific crimes
against humanity bordering on genocide, AGAIN, to make repeated
promises while still carrying on murder! There MUSt be INSTANT actions
taken to pressure rogue governments to stop unacceptable behaviors by
QUICKLY imposing sanctions and withholding funds. Not months later but
days later. UN credibility is fading away. Rational people are
disappointed and angry with political posturing while suffering and
death prevail unabated for much too long. It is getting very difficult
to defend the United Nations.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
UNESCO Chair and Institute for Human Rights, University of Connecticut Windham Area Interfaith Ministry Eastern CT Sate University Pax Educare RightsWorks, New Jersey Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama Heifer International, Arkansas PeacexPeace, Virginia World Peace Sanctuary, New York Northeast Foundation for Children, Massachusetts Growing Communities for Peace, Minnesota Peace Education International, Florida Save Our World, Vermont Teaching and Learning for Peace, Australia Center for First Amendment Rights UNICEF, CTAUN of United Nations Elementary schools in CT, MA, VT, IN, IL, PA, NJ, NY and Jalisco, Mexico
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
We
will be continuing all projects and expanding on them. We are working
diligently to increase circulation of our Newsletter, to seek out
opportunities for new contacts and networking. New ideas come up all the time and we will pursue them with zeal as long as we can breathe!
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Postal address of organization
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9 Old Willimantic Road Columbia, CT 06237-1219 USA
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E-mail address of organization
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Jemora@aol.com
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Website address of organization
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www.deltakappagamma.org/CT/Curriculum of Hope
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education for a culture of peace
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Understanding, tolerance, solidarity
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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International U.S., Great Britain,Sweden, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Iceland, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico,
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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Connecticut, U.S.
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