Transcript

IZZY

Welcome to session 1 of Principles and practices of peace education. My name is Ellis Brooks and this is Isabel Cartwright and we work as peace educators for Quakers in Britain. We’re the co-authors of this course with Lucy Henning from the Open University, and you’ll meet us again.

ELLIS

So, I’ve worked as a teacher, and for various charities doing human rights and peace work, and I’m fortunate to bring a lot of those things together in my current peace education work for the Quakers. Sometimes it’s focused on interpersonal peace – training people in ways to respond to conflict on a day-to-day basis, and sometimes it’s had a more global focus, developing resources and approaches to enable the teaching of challenging topics in the classroom like war and armed conflict – things that can often be daunting for teachers.

IZZY

And I’ve worked in schools and informal community settings. Part of my motivation comes from my Quaker upbringing, the belief that there’s that of God, or good, in everyone, and the opposition to war, and the commitment to non-violence and finding peaceful ways to resolve conflict. My work with young people at risk of exclusion and other risks outside the school gates, made me realise the importance of feeling ok about yourself, that kind of peace, which can be nurtured by engaging with your community and work involving peace and global issues more widely. I’ve also worked with young people from countries torn apart by war on board the Peace Boat. In working for Quakers now, I’m interested in how we can teach children the skills, values and attitudes for peace, but also help schools as a whole develop as peaceful communities where young people’s rights are recognised.

ELLIS

Something you’re going to think about in this session is what does peace mean to you?

IZZY

So, we thought we’d start by asking ourselves, what does peace mean to us?

ELLIS

So, I think it can mean different things at different times, but for me it is about transforming things and overturning injustice.

IZZY

Yes, and I think it’s about living in good relations, with yourself, each other, your community, the world around you, and the earth. It’s about being able to deal with conflict well and trying to address injustice and harmful structures and processes, like racism and the arms trade

ELLIS

And you will have your own thoughts!

IZZY

Through the following sessions, you will work your way through the layers of peace, starting with the inner and working outwards to the global. At the end, there will also be a chance for you to reflect on it all, and your role as a peace educator.