This document discusses incorporating peace studies into education from elementary school through university level. It outlines the "Five I's" approach to peace studies, which emphasizes being interdisciplinary, inclusive, initiative-based, impactful, and influential. At the elementary level, the focus is on basic skills and conflict management. At high school, peace studies can explore more complex issues and international topics. Universities currently offering peace studies programs take interdisciplinary and experiential approaches, covering practical peacebuilding skills. Overall, the document argues for sustaining peace education throughout all levels to develop lifelong skills for creating a more just and peaceful society.

1. Incorporating Peace Studies
into Education
Presented to University College in Telemark
May 11, 2015
Ellen Ahlness
Maddie Cominetti
Ian Langseth

2. We strive to create a friendly classroom community that
teaches students the value of peace studies, while
equipping them with the skills and knowledge to carry the
lessons into their adulthood and personal lives. This will be
done by combining our Five Values (the Five I’s) of Peace
Studies with subjects relevant to each stage of the students’
development.
Peace Education Mission Statement

3. The Five I’s of a Peace Studies
Education
1. Interdisciplinary: Peace studies dissects traditional subject lines,
either through one class, or by coordinating several classes.
2. Inclusive: All students, regardless of religion, orientation,
ethnicity, or other differences are encouraged to participate fully
and without judgement.
3. Initiative: Projects are student-led, letting them take charge of
their education and focus on subjects that are important to them.
4. Impact: Subjects taught are relevant to each age range,
as well as current world affairs.
5. Influence: Students will carry their lessons into their personal
lives, and will pass the values onto the next generation.

4. Transition--from Elementary to University
There is a natural flow of peace studies and incorporation from
the primary to university level.
Beginning with teaching basic skills and a peaceful mentality,
lessons can become more complex as the student grows,
further challenging the student while still sticking to the roots of
peace education.

5. Teaching Peace in the Elementary Classroom- Why?
• Starting our education early, we can teach the values and good, peaceful habits
• The goal is to have them carry on the habits through adulthood
• Studies show that calmer students makes for calmer teachers
• A calmer environment makes for more learning
• With energy outlets being cut for more academics, students need a method of release
“First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.”
-Thomas A. Kempis

6. Teaching Peace in the Elementary Classroom- How?
• Focus more on basic skills and fundamentals of achieving personal peace
• Conflict management skills
• How language affects others
• Mindful listening and thinking skills
• How to use the skills in everyday life
• Tying peace education into normal curriculum
• Establishing “Peace Clubs” or after school organizations
• Educating our teachers to be positive role models
• Children will follow what is demonstrated
“If we don’t teach our children peace, someone else will teach them violence.’’
-Coleman
McCarthy

7. Taking Action- The Elementary Level
Small steps in the right direction lead towards giant strides for our future. Here’s what our children can do to begin their lives as
advocates of peace:
Start a school or community garden
Volunteer at local shelters or places for people in need
Donate to causes important to them or their community
Share their information and skills with their peers, friends, and family
“It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it.
And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.

8. What Bø Thinks
At the end of our “Give Peace A Hand” event, we asked those remaining to fill out a survey we compiled. Here’s what you had to
say:
“Children start learning about what’s around them. By starting
early, we will adapt easier to both the concept of others and
peace.”
“The earlier the better (it sticks with children more).”
“Children have to form their mindset at an early age.”
“It must be taught (it gives them something to invest in for the future).”
“They need to be taught. There is both good and bad in people and you must
choose which to feed.”
“I think it's naive to pray for world peace if we're not going to change the form in which we live.”

9. Peace Studies At the High School Level
When asked, most people surveyed believed that younger ages were more important in the peace studies curriculum. High
school is where people start dropping off in support for peace studies in the school.
Primary Middle High School University
11 9 8 7
What level should peace studies classes be offered at?
High school is where students:
● develop deeper critical thinking skills
● have more independence
● have the ability to make a difference and act in their community.
Therefore, it is imperative that peace studies remain a part of the curriculum at the high school level.

10. High School Peace Studies: Relevance and Contribution
There are many reasons for Peace Studies to be incorporated as a program at the junior high and high school levels. Peace Ring
participants elaborated on:
“At a middle school age students realize they can make their own decisions that affect others.”
“Young people are more likely to participate in personal endeavors.”
“In high school they will be mature enough.”
“At this age, people start to be more interested in global problems and are realizing they will have to deal with them. They are
also more respectful to adults, since they are almost adults themselves.”
Therefore, this is a transition period. If neglected, gains in peace studies can be lost.

11. Higher Education Contributes to a More Peaceful Society
“High education develops us as people, which contributes to a society where people work through their problems better.”
“It gives a chance to insert peace into every step of education, from child to adulthood.”
“It gives more views to create your opinion of the world, since information is important. What you don’t know, you fear. And when
you don’t know, you don’t act.”
“When you are educated, it is easier to respect and understand the differences between people.”

12. The International Aspect of High School
High school is a period of deeper thought.
“I think that in every age it is important to have not just peace: also friendship, compromise, and group activities. Everything
should be done together.”
High school is a time of interpersonal problems and social conflicts. Conflicts stem from differences.
“Humans have instincts of peace, but also aggression. I think it is important to learn how to control bad impulses, then peace
will improve by itself.”
Take these differences and challenges and use them to grow a new mentality.

13. Criteria for Peace Studies Events
Emphasis on group work, coordination, mediating differences within personal and global worldviews.
“School taught us how to be an open minded person. There are many other cultures, traditions, and nationalities. They each
have their unique way of thinking and living. Therefore, when engaging with others, those who are “different” than you, you
should have an open mind. They aren’t that “different” after all.”
-Student From Turkish International High School
Emphasis on the “Five I’s”: Inclusive, and Impact. International studies ties in with these criteria.

14. Ways to Incorporate Peace Studies into High School
Coordinate subjects between Classes (Literature and History: Slave Trade and Internment)
Host International Nights
Roleplay Complex Interpersonal Situations
Service Projects (NHS, Community Outreach)
Challenge Pre-Held Concepts
Study of World Religions and Peace Leaders

15. Sustainability in High School Peace Studies
Incorporating an international focus into peace studies promotes a sustainable model of education through new sills.
These “skills for the new century” prepare students for further education and international careers.
“One thing that my high school taught me is that a person should not limit themselves mentally. It expanded my horizons, and
encouraged me to see my world outside of my own country. About 80% of graduates from my high school go to four parts of
the globe to get their college education. That is how I find myself in the United States now.”
-Student From Turkish International High School
International lessons inherently promote mediation and compromise. In an interconnected world, global lessons can be used at
home.

16. Peace Education at the University Level
When surveyed at the Give Peace A Hand Event, 7 out of the 22 people who took the survey said that peace studies education
should be offered at the university level
“Peace is a way of living. We should all learn about it through each stage of life, and we shouldn’t stop when we get to university”
“Adults are more mature and can understand complex issues more deeply”
“As an adult you can choose if you want to participate in it or not”

17. Universities in the United States and Canada that offer Peace Studies Courses and Programs
New York: 3
Colgate University
Manhattan College
Nazareth College
North Carolina: 1
Guilford College
Ohio: 2
John Carroll University
Kent State University
Pennsylvania: 3
Juniata College
Messiah College
Texas: 1
University of North Texas
Virginia: 2
Eastern Mennonite University
George Mason University
Washington: 1
Whitworth University
Wisconsin: 1
Marquette University
Washington D.C: 1
American University
Canada
Manitoba: 1
Canadian Mennonite University
Ontario: 3
Conrad Grebel University College
King’s University College
University of Toronto
United States
California: 2
Chapman University
University of California, Berkeley
Colorado: 2
Naropa University
Regis University
Illinois: 1
Depaul University
Indiana: 6
Butler University
Depauw University
Earlham College
Goshen College
Manchester University
University of Notre Dame
Maryland: 2
Goucher College
Salisbury University
Massachusetts: 3
Hampshire College
Tufts University
Wellesley College
Minnesota: 2
Bethel University
College of St. Benedict & St.
John’s
Nebraska: 2
Creighton University
Hastings College
Source: http://www.peacecolleges.com/guide

18. Common Themes in the Peace Studies Programs Currently Offered
• Many of these Universities are either smaller or religious institutions, with some having an emphasis on faith-based learning
• Many offer conflict management or resolution as part of the curriculum
• Studying abroad is either highly encouraged or mandatory to complete many of these programs
• Service learning or volunteering is also encouraged or mandatory
• Many of the programs are interdisciplinary and include other subjects such as humanities, sciences, sociology, anthropology,
and gender studies.
• Classes are offered on practical methods for peacebuilding such as meditation, non-violence, and conflict management.

19. What Can Other Universities Do?
• Create their own peace studies program, whether it is an undergraduate or graduate program, or simply offer classes relating
to aspects of peace studies in different fields.
• Encourage students to study abroad and make it more accessible, giving students an opportunity to experience cultures and
places they otherwise would not.
• Give students opportunities to learn practical skills to apply in their personal lives and to help others, such as conflict
management, meditation, how to be empathetic with others, etc
• Encourage and give students the opportunity to volunteer or participate in service learning
• Create an environment that encourages students to be politically and socially active
.