This month’s issue of the Global Campaign for Peace Education features an article I wrote, The 7 Blossoms of Peace Education. Thanks to Tony Jenkins for providing me with this opportunity. It is an honor to have the chance to share this framework with other peace educators around the world. Continue reading to see the full text of the article and take a look at how I approach and understand my work as a peace educator.
Posted in Writing/Blogging
Tagged 5 sphere of peace, 7 blossoms of peace education, agreements, betty reardon, circle processes, Colman McCarthy, community, community building, conflict resolution, Daniel Golman, education, Elise Boulding, emotional intelligence, energizers, global campaign for peace education, history, howard gardner, Howard Zinn, Ian Harris, icebreakers, James Loewen, Kingian Nonviolence, Martin Seligman, Mary King, multiple intelligences, National Peace Academy, nonviolence, peace, peer mediation, restorative justice, SEL, talking circles, theatre of the oppressed, Tony Jenkins
From December 2-4, I was one of 8 participants in a peace education master class facilitated by two of most prominent peace educators in the world – Betty Reardon and Tony Jenkins. The class was held at the La Casa de Maria Retreat and Conference Center located in the coastal mountains of Santa Barbara, CA. I had first met Tony Jenkins at the National Peace Academy’s Peacebuilding Peacelearning Intensive back in July of this year. As my blog posting from that intensive describes, it was a inspirational and transformative experience where I got to learn from and work with a number of peacebuilders. I had met Betty Reardon briefly at the Gandhi-King Conference back in October, but this was the first time that I had an opportunity to actually take a class with her. So needless to say this opportunity was a dream come true and it did not disappoint. If you want a quick, tweeted, overview of some what we covered and discussed throughout the class, check out my Bundle of key tweets and resources. Continue reading to learn more…
From Thursday, October 20 to Sunday, October 23 I attended the Gandhi-King Conference in Memphis, TN. This was my third time attending and presenting at the conference and, like always, it remains one of the highlights of my year. This year the conference was organized in partnership with the Peace and Justice Studies Association, which brought in even more outstanding presenters and scholars. I was part of two sessions this year. The first was a panel organized by Michael Nagler, president and founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. The topic was, “Nonviolence: Principled and Strategic,” which looked at the ongoing conversation that seeks to clarify the distinctions and commonalities between the two orientations to the practice of nonviolence. The second session was a participatory workshop I designed and facilitated called, “Teach the Struggle: Nonviolence in the Classroom,” which engaged participants in a variety of activities and exercises they can use with their own students to explore various concepts related to nonviolent action and civil resistance. The amazing thing about that workshop is that about ten minutes into it, Dolores Huerta walked in to join us!!! More on that later. Continue reading to learn more…
Posted in Education/Training, Events, Presentations
Tagged a force more powerful, betty reardon, Bryan Farrell, christian brothers university, civil resistance, Dale Snauwaert, david korten, david rovics, dolores huerta, education, elavie ndura, Eric Stoner, facilitation, gandhi king conference, houston wood, iipe, janet gerson, joanna macy, matt meyer, memphis, metta center for nonviolence, michael nagler, midsouth peace and justice center, nonviolence, peace and justice studies association, peace education, pjsa, stephanie van hook, susan gelber cannon, teaching, the great turning, tom hastings, Tony Jenkins, usip, waging nonviolence
From July 17th – 24th, I attended, along with approximately 45 other participants from around the world, the National Peace Academy’s Peacebuilding Peacelearning Intensive, held on the Champlain College campus in Burlington, VT. The goal of the intensive was to “nurture your holistic development as a peacebuilder by engaging in deep reflection and critical inquiry into your own worldviews, values, principles, and assumptions…In supporting the development of peace systems we [NPA] will engage you in a reflective and integrative planning process that will culminate in the development of your own unique, ‘Peacebuilding Plan Proposal.'”
This was a truly transformative experience and one of the best workshops/community gatherings in which I have ever participated. The diversity of people that were in attendance, the quality of presentations, the power of the reflective processes, and the community that was built around our visions for peace was something that furthered my commitment to the beloved community of peacebuilders and peacelearners across the globe. Continue reading to learn about my experience over the five days.
Posted in Digital Strategy, Events
Tagged American University, Amy Seidl, appreciative inquiry, Arthur Romano, Bill Mckibbin, Burlington, Champlain College, Dale Snauwaert, Dave Ragland, dialogue, Dot Maver, National Peace Academy, nonviolence, Pat Mische, peace, Peacebuilding Peacelearning Intensive, ppi, reflection, Tiffany Hunter, Tony Jenkins, twitter, Vermont, world cafe
