As a teacher, there are many ways that you can encourage your students to think about peace and consider Canada’s international role in peace operations.
Think about Peace
Students from all across Canada and as far away as Nepal and Bosnia submitted essays and posters in early 2007 as part of a contest marking the 50th anniversary of international peace operations. The contest, called Think about Peace, was run by the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre in association with Peaceful Schools International. While the contest has ended, you can encourage your students to take a tour of the winning entries here.
Join Peaceful Schools International
Peaceful schools International (PSI) is a non-profit, charitable organization that helps schools create a climate in which everyone feels safe, valued and respected. Encouraging student-centered conflict resolution strategies, the vision of PSI is to create a global network of peaceful schools. PSI has 240 member schools, which promote an understanding and appreciation of diversity.
For more information, please visit Peaceful Schools International
Participate in a Peace Simulation
The PPC teaches and trains those who serve in conflict zones, but also has a history of planning these same simulation exercises for students.
Canada in a Dangerous World is a simulation exercise that has been devised for high school and university students. Its aim is to teach methods of compromise and consensus building as conflict resolution skills, using the backdrop of a peacekeeping operation. It was conducted 7 times for high schools in Ontario and Nova Scotia as well as at the UN 50 Forum at York University.
The Model Mission in Fontinalis: In 2007, the PPC introduced the annual Model Mission in Fontinalis and over 130 Canadian post-secondary students managed the crisis from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Screen a Film and have a Discussion
In 2006, the PPC partnered with the National Film Board of Canada and Director Paul Cowen to produce a film called The Peacekeepers. With unprecedented access to the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping, The Peacekeepers provides an intimate and dramatic portrait of the struggle to save "a failed state." The film follows the determined and often desperate maneuvers to avert another Rwandan disaster, this time in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the DRC). This film is an ideal discussion tool, and comes with a study guide and key issues DVD.
Get your copy here