Conflict Resolution Education/Peace Education Brief Overview
What is Conflict Resolution Education (CRE)?
The Association for Conflict Resolution suggests that "Conflict resolution education models and teaches, in culturally meaningful ways, a variety of processes, practices and skills that help address individual, interpersonal, and institutional conflicts, and create safe and welcoming communities" (Jones, 2004)
What is Peace Education (PE) and how is it different than CRE?
"Peace education is a participatory holistic process that includes teaching for and about democracy and human rights, nonviolence, social and economic justice, gender equality, environmental sustainability, disarmament, traditional peace practices, international law, and human security" (Hague Appeal for Peace, 2005)
While CRE generally focuses on a local/domestic level, the focus of Peace Education is generally more global in perspective. Peace Education also "has a stronger emphasis on social justice orientations and larger systemic issues of violence than conflict education programs" (Jones, 2004).
What is Democracy & Citizenship Education?
"Citizenship education" describes efforts to prepare students for effective, principled citizenship. Citizenship education can include instruction in history and government, civics lessons on the rights and duties of citizens in a democracy, discussion of current events, service-learning, mock trials and elections, character education and other approaches. Citizenship education can also take place through student government, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, and by involving students in school, district and community decision making" (Education Commission of the States, 2007).
Who are CRE/PE practitioners?
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of conflict resolution education and peace education are taught and utilized all over the world in various formal and informal ways in formal and in-formal education settings, by youth-serving organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The United Nations suggests that: "Many teachers are already practicing peace education without calling it by name. Historically, in various parts of the world, peace education has been referred to as Education for Conflict Resolution, International Understanding, and Human Rights, Global Education, Critical Pedagogy, Education for Liberation and Empowerment, Social Justice Education, Environmental Education, Life Skills Education, Disarmament and Development Education, and more. These various labels illuminate the depth and diversity of the field. Using the term peace education helps co-ordinate such global initiatives and unite educators in the common practice of educating for a culture of peace" (United Nations Cyber School Bus, n.d.).
Children and Violence
- According to The United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children (Office of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, et al., 2005): 20-65% of children had been bullied within the past 30 days according to the Global School-based Health Survey.
- The World Health Organization estimates that in 2002, almost 53,000 children died due to homicide worldwide. (Office of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, et al., 2005)
- More than 300,000 children (under 18) around the world are actively participating in more than 30 armed conflicts. Children are often more easily manipulated because of their psychological and physical immaturity, making obedient, cheap, and disposable soldiers (Youth Advocate Program International, 2004).
What can CRE and PE programs achieve?
- CRE reduces antisocial behavior in school-aged children (Garrard, 2007).
- CRE decreases aggressiveness and increases academic achievement and performance (Jones, 2002).
- CRE increases awareness of violence and appropriate reactions to it by teachers, schoolchildren, and parents (International Network on School Bullying and Violence, August 2005).
- CRE decreases violence among school children (International Network on School Bullying and Violence, August 2005).
- CRE decreases problem behavior at school observed by teachers (International Network on School Bullying and Violence, May 2005)
- CRE decreases the attractiveness of gangs and help vulnerable students resist them by creating a school climate that makes every student feel valued and establishing CRE as part of the school curriculum (Burnett, 1999).
PE Quick Facts:
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) describes peace education as schooling and other educational initiatives that (United Nations Cyber School Bus, n.d.):
- Function as 'zones of peace', where children are safe from violent conflict
- Uphold children's basic rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
- Develop a climate that models peaceful and respectful behaviour among all members of the learning community
- Demonstrate the principles of equality and non-discrimination in administrative policies and practices
- Draw on the knowledge of peace-building that exists in the community, including means of dealing with conflict that are effective, non-violent, and rooted in the local culture
- Handle conflicts in ways that respect the rights and dignity of all involved
- Integrate an understanding of peace, human rights, social justice and global issues throughout the curriculum whenever possible
- Provide a forum for the explicit discussion of values of peace and social justice
- Enable children to put peace-making into practice in the educational setting as well as in the wider community
- Generate opportunities for continuous reflection and professional development of all educators in relation to issues of peace, justice and rights
Who is working on furthering CRE/PE?
There is legislation, mandates and/or standards on CRE and PE in all of the worlds regions. Examples of the range of topics include curriculum integration of CRE into various subject areas, integration of mediation and conflict management skills training into teacher preparation, the use of restorative justice practices for youth in the community through the courts, or a national mandate to have bullying prevention mission statements and policies in place in all schools.
There are hundreds of government and non-government organizations (NGOs) working on CRE and PE worldwide. Below is a sampling of these organizations. Please visit our growing Directory to find out more!
- European Center for Conflict Prevention (ECCP) http://www.conflict-prevention.net/
- Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) http://www.gppac.net/index.html
- The Organization of American States (OAS) http://www.oas.org/
- Teaching Peace, Longmont Community Justice Partnership http://www.teachingpeace.org/
- The United Nations http://www.cyberschoolbus.un.org
- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) http://www.unicef.org/index.php
- United States Institute of Peace (USIP) http://www.usip.org/
Resources:
- Burnett, Gary. (1999). Gangs in Schools. ERIC Digest [Online]. Retrieved September 21, 2007, from http://www.oecd-sbv.net/Templates/Article.aspx?id=340
- Education Commission of the States. (2007). Citizenship Education. Retrieved September 21, 2007, from http://www.ecs.org/html/issue.asp?issueid=19
- Garrard, Wendy M. (n.d.) Does Conflict Resolution Education Really Reduce Antisocial Behaviors in Schools? The Evidence Says YES!. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
- Hague Appeal for Peace. (2005). Home. Retrieved September 14, 2007, from http://www.haguepeace.org/
- International Network on School Bullying and Violence. (August, 2005). Development of good inter-personal relationships. Retrieved September 21, 2007, from http://www.oecd-sbv.net/Templates/Article.aspx?id=354
- International Network on School Bullying and Violence. (May 2005). PALS - a School-wide Program for Positive Behaviour, Support, Interaction and Safety. Retrieved September 21, 2007, from http://www.oecd-sbv.net/Templates/Article.aspx?id=340
- Jones, Tricia S. (2004). Conflict Resolution Education: The Field, The Findings, and the Future. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, Fall-Winter, 22 (1-2), 233-267.
- Jones, Tricia S. (2002). Proven benefits of conflict resolution education research. Retrieved September 21, 2007, from http://www.creducation.org/catalog/SPT--FullRecord.php?ResourceId=27
- Office of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and The World Health Organization (WHO). (2005). The United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children. Retrieved September 21, 2007 from http://www.violencestudy.org/IMG/pdf/English-2-2.pdf
- United Nations Cyber School Bus. (n.d.). Peace Education, Global Educators. Retrieved September 21, 2007 from http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/peace/index.asp
- United Nations Cyber School Bus. (n.d.). UNICEF, Retrieved September 14, 2007 from http://www.cyberschoolbus/peace/index.asp
- Youth Advocate Program International (YAP). (2004) Children Affected by Armed Conflict/Child Soldiers. Retrieved September 21, 2007 from http://www.yapi.org/conflict/index.htm
Related Catalog Resources
Below you'll find a randomized listing of up to 20 related items (we may have more...) drawn from our Resource Catalog.
| Resource Title | Description | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Building bridges in conflict areas: Educational report | 23-page PDF report in which, "the reader is invited for an overview of the methods, theories and tools that were offered to the participants. It shows how the process of theoretical presentation becomes "alive" when participants interact with trainers and share their opinions through brainstorming or reflecting on the concepts that were discussed...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Practicing peace: A peace education module for youth and young adults in Solomon Islands: 4th draft | 99-page word document developed "to help people resolve interpersonal and inter-group conflict through productive and peaceful strategies, and to teach young people how they can participate in public life. The module is intended for use with youth and young adults in community and school settings in Solomon Islands." Skill areas include:...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Training of Teachers in Areas of Armed Conflict | This 64-page practice manual was written by Dr. Anica Mikus Kos, a pediatrician and child psychiatrist from Slovenia. It was published as a supplement in the online journal Intervention: International Journal of Mental Health, Psychosocial Work and Counselling in Areas of Armed Conflict, Vol 3 No. 2 ; July 2005 | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Practicing peace: A peace education module for standards 4 through 6 in Solomon Islands | 87-page pdf document which presents peace education for the Solomon Islands context. "The primary method used in peace education is generally referred to as a "facilitated" or "interactive" model of teaching. In this method, the teacher becomes a facilitator of learning and a co-learner with the students. Students and teachers use experiential...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| International Day of Peace Educational Resource Packet | This 16-page pdf provides a framework for educating about the culture of peace and offers suggested activities and resources for use on the International Day of Peace. Includes ideas for Elementary, Middle and High School level classrooms. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Short course offerings on peace education: 2007-2008 academic year in Costa Rica | Two page pdf document with course offerings and descriptions for the 2007-2008 school year at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Tug of war - Peace Through Understanding Conflict | This 10-chapter 104-page book, available as a pdf, is for youth ages 8-16 interested in a peaceful world - and in understanding the forces that cause conflict, both in personal relationships and across the globe. Tug of War describes: 1) What the roots of war are. 2) How we create "The Enemy". 3) A new way to handle violence. Illustrated by...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peace lessons from around the world | 144-page pdf educational resource for primary and secondary students providing 16 lessons based on the four strands of the "Hague Agenda for Peace and Justice for the 21st Century [which] comprises fifty proposals for actions and policies, which taken together, could move the world toward the end of war and the beginning of a culture of peace."...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Youth and conflict: Global challenges, local strategies, second international summit on conflict res | Pdf document of catalog for the Second International Summit on Conflict Resolution Education, hosted by the Global Issues Resource Center, Office of Community Continuing Education Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| To be or not to be: Conflict resolution as a discipline | Pdf article reprinted from the February/March 1995 Issue (Vol 55) of The Fourth R, The Newsletter of the National Association for Mediation in Education discussing conflict resolution as an academic discipline. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Management and resolution of conflicts: An essential competence for life in basic education | Presentation of the value of teaching conflict resolution education in schools. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Tolerance: the threshold of peace: A teaching/learning guide for education for peace, human rights | 42-page PDF document which was "prepared to serve as an introductory resource material, to provide some understanding of what is involved in and required of education for tolerance. It provides a statement of the problems of intolerance, a rationale for teaching toward the goal of tolerance, and concepts and descriptions for identifying both the...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Accessing free web-based conflict resolution education resources | 28-slide Powerpoint presentation given at the Sustaining Conflict Resolution Education: Building Bridges to the Future conference in Fairfax, VA which introduces "the Conflict Resolution Education Connection, a free online one-stop-shop for resources and information on conflict resolution education. We will review the history of this cooperative...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| UNESCO'S Work on Education for Peace and Non-Violence: Building Peace Through Education | A 20-page brochure providing an overview of UNESCO's work in advocacy, policy, information exchange and the development of text books, learning materials and curricula. It was developed by the Section for the Promotion of Rights and Values in Education, Division for the Promotion of Basic Education. Included are links to many useful publications...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Programa Fortalecimiento de la convivencia democratica, derechos humanos y resolucion pacifica de | Powerpoint presentation that outlines peace and conflict resolution education initiatives developed in Columbia. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Peace & Disarmament Education: Changing Mindsets to Reduce Violence & Sustain Removal of Small Arms | This book summarizes the learnings from a partnership between the Hague Appeal for Peace and the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs exploring disarmament as an essential issue for peace education. It seeks to provide educators with ways to bring attention to weapons both as tools and symbols of the culture of violence that...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Global education guidelines: A handbook for educators to understand and implement global education | 85-page pdf handbook "written on the premise that educational processes in formal and non-formal settings should open the path to a better understanding of an increasingly globalised world. It also raises important issues about the professional responsibilities of educators and teachers and the role of schools and different organisations and...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Conflict management | Website "developed to provide an introduction to the study of conflict management, based on research in this field," the site includes information on the nature of conflict and it's key elements, why the study of conflict is important, as well as the skills necessary for conflict managers. Included on the website is a self-test to check your...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Listing of International Materials Related to Civic Education and Conflict Resolution | This is a briefly annotated list of international education-related materials available via the web that have been shared with the staff at the Global Issues Resource Center at Cuyahoga Community College, hosts of the International CRE Summits held in Ohio. Compiled in the Spring of 2010. | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
| Kit of Tools For Participatory Research and Evaluation with Children, Young People and Adults | Four countries in four regions where Save the Children Norway is working have participated in a Thematic Evaluation on Children’s Participation in armed conflict, post conflict and peace building - Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guatemala, Nepal and Uganda. The research tools developed and used in this project are contained in this 'kit' which has been...(see more) | Catalog Listing Direct Link to Resource View in Browser |
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