| Posted: May 05 2005,13:26 |
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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? |
The
Center for Peace Education’s (CPE) mission is to provide youth and
adults in school communities with the training, resources, strategies
and experiences needed to value differences and resolve conflict
constructively. CPE trains teachers in Cooperative Discipline,
teachers and students in Student’s Creative Response to Conflict, and
helps schools set up Peer Mediation programs in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Our five core concepts are affirmation, communication,
appreciation of differences/bias awareness, creative conflict
management and cooperation.
Progress is measured through teacher
evaluations and student pre- and post-tests. The teacher
evaluations provide data regarding student attitude and behavior
changes. The pre and post tests measure student knowledge of
nonviolent conflict management skills. School principals have
attributed dramatic decreases in suspensions and expulsions and
increased nonviolent problem-solving skills to CPE programs.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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The
Center for Peace Education’s greatest obstacles are funding and school
time. Schools have limited budgets to pay for violence prevention
programs. CPE writes grants and raises money to provide financial
aid to schools. Teachers are experiencing increasing pressure for
high student scores on standardized proficiency tests. With their
jobs on the line, this creates classroom environments focused on
academics and teaching to the test, leaving little to no time for
social and emotional learning.
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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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The
Center for Peace Education partners with schools to create a school
environment where conflicts are resolved nonviolently and differences
are valued. During the summer, in collaboration with the
Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, CPE hosts free summer Peace
Camps for 6-12 year olds. Peace Camp brings together a diverse
group of children to learn the values of diversity and nonviolent
conflict resolution skills through activities and the arts. CPE
also has two AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers who are working to incorporate
Peace Pals and National Youth Violence Prevention Week into schools
with other CPE programs. Peace Pals are 6th – 8th graders who
visit a k-3rd grade classroom to read a children’s book with a conflict
management or diversity appreciation lesson, lead a discussion on the
book and then facilitate an activity that reinforces the lesson.
National Youth Violence Prevention Week is a campaign to raise
student awareness of violent influences and address what youth can do
to foster change in their community.
In 2002 CPE committed to
working in seven inner-city neighborhoods through a family and
community violence prevention public awareness campaign.
Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, CPE: 1)conducted radio and television public service
announcements; 2) hosted Discover CommUNITY, a weekend celebration of
Peace & Diversity in Cincinnati that reached an estimated 20,000
individuals; 3) distributed 500 posters and 1,000 brochures on violence
prevention resources; and 4) held teacher and parent training seminars
relating to violence prevention.
CPE sent two trainers in 2003
and 2004 to Seoul, Korea to train teachers and administrators
associated with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Peer
Mediation.
In 2004, at the National Underground Railroad Freedom
Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Center for Peace Education celebrated
its 25th anniversary with an event highlighting our programs and
achievements. The superintendent for Cincinnati Public Schools
was the guest speaker. Three awards were presented: The CPE
Dedication Award to Louise Gomer-Bangel for her perseverance,
enthusiasm and commitment to the Center for Peace Education for the
Past 20 Years; The Elise Boulding Peace-in-Action Award to Betsy Sato
for her many years of dedicated service and support; and The Margaret
R. Fuller Benefactor Award to Margaret R. Fuller for her significant
support of CPE’s growth and development.
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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? |
Fund conflict resolution and valuing diversity training programs in schools at all levels.
Continue to emphasize the use of mediation and nonviolent conflict resolution for managing disputes within and between nations.
Emphasize the importance of justice and respectful interactions as key factors in creating and maintaining peace.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
Association for Conflict Resolution
Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management
Creative Response to Conflict, Global
Hamilton County Family Violence Prevention Project
Cincinnati Public Schools Safe and Drug Free Schools
Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati
City of Cincinnati Department of Community Development and Planning
Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center
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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)? |
CPE
will continue working towards our vision of a more peaceful Greater
Cincinnati community in which every school has a sustainable
comprehensive conflict management program.
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Postal address of organization
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103 William Howard Taft Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
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E-mail address of organization
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cpe@cincinnati-peace.org
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Website address of organization
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www.cincinnati-peace.org
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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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United States
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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