PSI WORKSHOP – School Climate: Complex but Manageable
PSI WORKSHOP – Ethical Negotiations: When Relationships Matter As Much As Outcomes
News from PSI’s Nakamah Kawaleh Peace Education Program in Sierra Leone
Congratulations to the students of Newfoundland’s Leary’s Brook Junior High School, who organized a leadership conference promoting social consciousness and awareness and through this raised over $4,500 for their partners in Sierra Leone’s PSI member schools! The funds will cover costs for nursery school materials and teachers’ salaries and enable many PSI member school students to continue on to through junior and senior high school.
Student leaders hosted the Eastern School District Junior High Leadership Conference with two hundred students to promote activism, self-esteem and global awareness. Throughout the year, the committee worked diligently on decorations, meal plans, workshops, guest speakers, donations, opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, dance, registration packages, schedules, name tags, kit bags, t-shirt design, etc. Students spent their Easter vacation in school with me planning and finishing up last minute details. Delegates attended a lecture, as well as a question/answer session, with ambassador for peace Mr. Remzi Cej. As well, they participated in workshops geared toward showing them how to take action in their community. These included Passive to Active, Outrage, Equality For All, Engaging Your Audience and Global Issues. They also attended workshops in Sign Language, Introduction to Judo, Introduction to Rugby, Improv, Wheelchair Basketball and more.
All profit from the conference was sent to Sierra Leone. As well, recognizing their responsibility to the local community, students donated left-over food to Choices For Youth, Naomi Centre Shelter for Female Youth, and The Single Parents Association.
It was such a rewarding endeavour and will make a tremendous long-term difference in the lives of students in Newfoundland and in Sierra Leone.
St. Teilo’s Song for Peace!
PSI member school St. Teilo’s High School in Cardiff, Wales has shared with us a new song for peace called We Hold the Key! The song has been written and performed by a group of students aged between 12-16 from St. Teilo’s, well done! Check out the link to this wonderful creative song for peace below!
Listen to We Hold the Key Here!
PSI in Pakistan
An inspirational article about the bravery and dedication behind PSI’s and PSI’s Regional Coordinator Nadeem Ghazi’s peace educational work in Pakistan. Great Article.
Sports for Peace!
We have received wonderful news from our regional coordinator in Pakistan, Nadeem Ghazi, about the success of the “Sports for Peace” project by the name of DOSTI(Friendship) with the partnership of British Council Pakistan.
Some of the highlights of the program has been their work in various conflict areas with 1000 students from the ages 12- 18 years old. This involved 8 schools in sports for peace activities, especially soccer! Their target is to involve 2000 youth in conflict communities and areas of city in the two year project. They have developed a board of advisory members from the local leadership and community members, for which they will be arranging thematic sessions to teach them about conflict and resolution skills.
Click here to read all about their amazing work
Peace Signs is BACK !!
We are pleased to announce that we are now publishing a quarterly Peace Signs Newsletter highlighting the successes of our member schools and discussing new peace opportunities. We have mailed out a paper copy to all of our member schools, so keep an eye out for it in the mail!! In the meantime you can check it out online:
Important!!
PSI is updating our files and we need a little help (: . If your school does not receive their paper copy please let us know so that we can make sure we have the proper address listed! Also, we are please asking for you to send us an email at info@peacefulschoolsinternational.org naming your schools current primary contact and their email so that we can make sure everyone has access to all of the resources we put out. Thank you !!
PSI’s impact in Pakistan
Peaceful Schools International Pakistan Project has been recently highlighted in Peace Directs newsletter!!
Click here to read the newsletter
Also, the United States Institute of Peace has a very insightful article on PSI’s Pakistan project from February 2012:
From Peaceful Schools to Peaceful Communities in Pakistan
A big thank you to all those involved and who support the project!
Northumberland High Schools RESPECT Committee Video
NRHS in Nova Scotia, Canada sent us in this powerful anti-bullying video made by their RESPECT committee in collaboration with the communication committee. The students collected stories from within the school and shared them in the video to create a message of hope and solidarity for those who may be currently suffering from bullying. The video has received great reactions from staff and students and is going to be aired on the local news station!
Click the link below to watch the video online:
NRHS True Colours Anti-Bullying Video
Peace Education and Sustainable Development Course
A unique, one-week intensive Saint Mary’s University field course, held at Thinker’s Lodge National Historical Site of Canada in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. It will offer a space for Graduate students in Education, IDS or other interested disciplines to critically explore the intrinsically-linked concepts of peace, education, and sustainable development (social justice/human rights, economics, and the environment).
Registration is now open! For more details click here! http://www.smu.ca/webfiles/PeaceEducationDevelopmentSummerCourse.pdf
Celebrations for Millstone River School!
PSI would like to celebrate Millstone River School in being the first school in the state of Jersey to become a member. We’d also like to share a deep appreciation and pride in March 1, 2005 being declared Peaceful School International Day in New Jersey to honour Millstone River School! After sharing with us the top place papers from their essay contest about peace in their schools it’s easy to see the dedication to creating a peaceful environment. Students speak of the helpfulness of teachers, the friendliness of students and the safety of the school environment which helps them excel at school and maintain their own peace in day-to-day life. Congratulations Millstone Rive School!