Peaceful interaction, between people and between people and the earth, is essential. Without Peace we cannot have a sustainable World to grow up in.
Countries get in fights, often just like in a family. And often without much more than personal reasons.
Our Goal through the Peace Studies Class is to understand first the History of Peace Studies. How long have people been trying to "study" something like Peace?
Our Second Goal is to understand the Science of Peace. We often see the role of science in war. In our Peace Studies class we will explore the role of Science in Peace. We will learn about scientists who have worked for peace and meet with several special Camp Internet Trail Guides, one a past Asstant Secretary General of the United Nations.
Our Third Goal is to understand the Literature of Peace. Many great Poems, Essays and Books have been written on the subject of Peace. We will explore the authors and the books to expand our understanding of Peace Studies.
Peiodically we will weave all the Goals together and look at our Peace Studies as a "whole system". Our studies will explore ideas such as "sustainability",
(both environmental and social).
But, you are waiting for the answer to the question we began with, "Why study Peace?".
The Answer: Because Peace is essential, in the home, classroom, community and globally.
Some of our youngest students have put it best: "It just isn't any fun if things are not peaceful".
Peace Studies has a lot to do with daily life as well as International Relations between governments.
It's a way of gaining life skills which will make a difference at home and at school as well in the work world.
The study of peace helps us to understand communications, to build skills for interaction which resolve problems, resolve conflicts
and create actual ways to find peace,"
On the International level Peace Studies becomes essential.
As the human community has increased there has been a corresponding increase in contact between groups of people who were largely isolated from one another in
the past. This contact, coupled with differences in politics, religions, moral values, and beliefs as well as
economic injustices and competition for resources, have led to countless conflicts around the world.
Peace Studies is an essential skills in the work to achieve peaceful coexistence economically, socially, politically, and spiritually.
Peace Making is a skill, like literacy, which we must begin to learn now. It is a skill which is finding its way into curriculum and International Studies.