Peaceful Schools International (PSI) is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2001. The mission of PSI is to provide recognition and support to schools that have declared a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace. PSI acts as a clearinghouse of practical and effective peace education resources, used by staff and students within our member schools and elsewhere. PSI has over 350 member schools around the world! In these schools, students, teachers, and community members work together to ensure that everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.

PSI is founded on two guiding principles:

• Membership in PSI is voluntary. As our history sadly demonstrates, mandating or imposing peace is not an effective means by which to achieve it. PSI provides support and recognition to schools that have declared a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace.

• PSI is non-prescriptive. Instead of telling schools what to do, we provide them with inspiration, encouragement, and support as they develop their own vision and implement a plan for becoming a peaceful school. PSI is founded on the belief that each school’s journey to creating a culture of peace is unique. Consequently, PSI is non-prescriptive. Membership criteria are intended to be used as a guide rather than a strict evaluation measure. Each school must be given the freedom to set its course based on its vision and timetable.

At PSI, we believe…

• That school should be a place in which children can learn without fear;
• That this is possible if we provide our children with the tools they need to live well with others, and
• That each school’s journey to create a culture of peace is unique.
  PSI is founded on the belief that each school’s journey to creating a culture of peace is unique and, consequently, PSI is non-prescriptive.

By providing motivation and encouragement to schools that have declared a commitment to creating and sustaining a safe and caring environment, we are building a global network of peaceful schools.

Our Goals

1. Peace education is part of the core curriculum in all educational institutions that are members of PSI.

• The curriculum for elementary, middle, and high schools contains an explicit peace education component.
• PSI and PSI member schools work to encourage the appropriate authorities to include peace education in the curriculum of elementary, middle, and high schools.

2. Within PSI member schools, there is a secure, welcoming, and respectful culture where all forms of violence are unacceptable, setting an example for the community at large.

• Member schools report an improvement in school climate and/or a reduction in incidents of violence.
• Member schools report providing conflict resolution strategies for students and staff.

3. PSI provides practical and effective peace education resources that are used by staff and students in its member schools and by others.

• Member schools report their use of and satisfaction with the resources provided by PSI.
• PSI holds events and provides professional development opportunities (workshops, symposia, conferences, etc.) that are well-attended and receive positive evaluations.
• PSI member schools report networking with other members to share ideas and increase knowledge and resources.

4. There is a greater awareness of PSI and its positive impact within communities.

• There is an increase in the number of PSI member schools around the world.
• PSI actively engages in peace- and education-related events and activities in the community (for example, fairs, special days like anti-bullying day, conferences, Dept of Education PD days, etc.).
• Organizations and individuals express support for the work of PSI.

*PSI defines violence as the intentional use of physical force or power that threatens or results in physical or psychological harm.