Welcome to The Peace Foundation

The Peace Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation actively involved in creating a more peaceful society. The Foundation promotes peaceful relationships among people of all ages, at all levels, through education, research and action.

How do people resolve conflict and cooperate successfully?
How do people effectively help others to change their behaviour?

Parents are often blamed for the troubles of youth, yet they are not trained in being effective communicators to their children. This Communication Skills course is based on the internationally recognized work of Dr. Richard Bolstad, and Margot Hamblett of the Transforming Communication Skills course and Dr. Thomas Gordon’s work in the Parent Effectiveness Training and Teacher Effectiveness Training courses.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers of kids and teens, playcentre volunteers, SWIS or social workers can benefit from this course. Participants learn a complete system of communication techniques as well as the principles of when and why they are to be used and for what purpose. They get coaching and practice in putting the skills to work immediately.

Participants learn how to:

• Skillfully respond to behaviour that they find unacceptable
• Deal resourcefully with aggressive or bullying behavior
• Respond assertively yet courteously when they need to
• Persuade others without bullying
• Talk effectively with their family about digital communication and cybersafety  
• Enjoy their relationships with children and adults more

The Communication Skills Workshops focus on simple, proven ways for adults to increase their effectiveness with children and teenagers.

April 14-16, 2010, 2ND WEEK OF THE EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Workshop One April 14 9 am–3.30 pm   
Workshop Two April 15 9 am–3.30 pm
Workshop Three April 16  9 am–1 pm

Venue:
Committee Room,
Kelston Community Centre,
135 Awaroa Road, Auckland
All participants receive a manual. Morning and afternoon teas provided.

• Places are limited so book now for all 3 of the workshops
• Or enquire about attending Workshop One
• Registration prior to the workshops is necessary
• Workshop one is a prerequisite for attending workshops two and three

“The best investment I have made in supporting my child’s communication skills.” Parent, Frankton Primary

BOOKING AND CONTACT DETAILS:
Contact Sue at (09) 373-2379 or email admin@peacefoundation.org.nz

Christchurch newspaper The Press has reported on the Cyber Bullying Symposium organised by Andrew Cowie of the Peace Foundation.

'If you think making “a good cup of tea and a pretty good scone” doesn’ t fit with seriously campaigning and roughing it for world peace — think again!'

The world premiere of the film Kit & Maynie. Tea Scones and Nuclear Disarmament   screens Feburary 27 as part of the Documentary Edge Festival 2010 in Auckland and Wellington.

"Kit Nelson and Maynie Thompson are two 90 year old peace activists who live on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. Not only did they make a stand for what they believed in, they walked the distance of true commitment to creating a safer world. This is their story."

For details of the films screenings throughout Feburay and March in Auckland and Wellington consult the Documentary Edge Festival 2010.

The film's web site provides background information on Kit & Maynie, the film makers Susi Newborn & Claudia Pond Eyley.

A PDF poster for the film can be downloaded.

'PEACEWIRE' - the Peace Foundation's Secondary School Symposium

The Peace Foundation Aotearoa would like to invite members of your secondary school community to our symposium.

When: Friday, March 5th 2010
Where: The Holiday Inn, Rolleston Room, 356 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
Who: School groups of one school Guidance Counsellor or Teacher and between 5-10 students involved or interested in peer mediation/support or other leadership programmes.

Through both speakers and workshops, this is an excellent opportunity to:

• Learn more about  the impact of DIGITAL technology and how our youth are increasingly using these devices and mediums in their social circles
•  (Netsafe).
• Learn about importance of FACE to FACE (not Facebook to Facebook!) interaction, peer mediation and support and see how other schools are implementing their own programmes. 
• Both beginner and Advanced Mediation workshops available.
• Great opportunity to network with other schools!
• Enjoy free morning tea and lunch!

Only one teacher/adult and 5 students are permitted per school.
However, we only have 50 spots available, so FIRST replies ensure FIRST places! (We may be able to increase our numbers based on level of response).

This is a free event to schools.

If you have any questions, or wish to RSVP please contact Andrew Cowie at: 
03 384 5269/  021 073 4596
or at: cowieandrew@hotmail.com

The latest edition of the Peace Foundation's Wellington Office E-News is now available on the Enact website.

An international survey (2009) of 5000 Year Five pupils in 40 countries showed New Zealand children have the second highest reported incidence of bullying.[1] To support this claim, national statistics indicate that 2000 students have been stood down or suspended over a three-year period.

Reasons for this stood down and suspensions vary with many behavioural issues (violence, drug and alcohol, family and relationship problems). Further, statistics NZ figures show numbers of assaults with weapons at schools and universities including knife attacks are rising from 21 in 2007-2008 to 24 in 2008-2009.[2]

Bullying and cyber-bullying using email and mobile phones is likewise a growing problem in schools and has been linked with several youth suicides.[3] This situation shows the need to adopt a multi-pronged approach that involves schools, parents and the wider community.

The Peace Foundation offers the Cool Schools Peer Mediation Programme to primary and secondary schools nationwide.The Cool Schools Parents Programme is also available to school parents and the wider community. These education programmes empower students, teachers and parents with peaceful conflict resolution skills and processes which help build safer, happier, peaceful schools and community environments. Certainly a proactive, preventative and effective way to curb agression, violence and bullying (and the consquences!!!) in our schools.

[1] “Deborah Coddington: Parliamentary thugs give free lessons to child bullies” 15 November 2009. NZ Herald.

[2] “Inquiry into how schools respond to violence” 4 November 2009. Dominion Post.

[3] “Bullying claim as girl quits school” 23 November 2009. www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/3086780/Bullying-claim-as-girl-quits-school

AUCKLAND PRIMARY TEACHERS COOL SCHOOLS TRAINING WORKSHOP

When: Wednesday 10th March, 2010 from 8.45a.m – 3.30p.m
Where: Rm 2, Kohia Teachers Centre, Gate 2, Level 2, 78 Epsom Ave, Epsom, Auckland
Cost: $150 per person includes; training, handouts, morning tea and lunch
Who should attend: New staff members of schools currently implementing the programme, co-ordinators who have not had previous training, teachers and co-ordinators who need a refresher course, school management interested in implementing the programme.


COOL SCHOOLS NETWORK MEETINGS 2010

Wellington
Friday 12th March, 2010 from 1.00p.m – 3.30p.m Pasifika Room, Mana Education Centre, 5 Hariot Drive, Todd Park, Porirua Ph (04) 237 7318

North Auckland
Friday 28th May, 2010 from 1.00p.m – 3.30p.m Sherwood Primary School, Sartors Avenue, Browns Bay, North Shore Ph (09) 478 3024

2010 CHRISTCHURCH SECONDARY SCHOOLS SYMPOSIUM
Friday 5th March from 9:15a.m - 3.00p.m. Venue: Holiday Inn Avon Conference Centre


2010 AUCKLAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS SYMPOSIUM
Friday 25th June (last day of Peace Week). Venue: To be confirmed


PEACE WEEK 2010
June 21st – Friday 25th (Week 10, Term 2, 2010)

COOL SCHOOLS NEWSLETTERS 2010: DUE DATES FOR ARTICLE CONTRIBUTIONS
Please can we have all articles, reports, letters, poems, photos, profiles, etc. emailed to: christina@peacefoundation.org.nz by:
Edition 1: Friday May 7th (Week 3, Term 2, 2010)
Edition 2:    Friday 24th September (Week 10, Term 3, 2010)

For recent NEWS and updates on the Cool Schoools Peer Mediation Programme read our latest newsletter edition (Term 4 2009) (PDF 6 MB)

In this issue...

• Trace It To A Face!
• The Power of Mediation ... It Works!
• The Rangitikei Cluster Model
• Secondary School Symposium – Student Reflections
• Resource Clearance Sale
• Upcoming Events
• and other articles from schools, etc.

MASSIVE RESOURCE CLEARANCE SALE ON NOW 

The Peace Foundation have heavily discounted clearance resources avaliable for sale. Resources on sale include books, posters, t-shirts, wristbands, CD's, DVD's, magnets and first day covers. Don't miss out, as 95% of stock is marked at half price, stocks will be limited. All discounted prices are valid while stocks last. The Peace Foundation continues to stock and sell a large range of other resource. For more information or to place an order contact the Foundation on (09) 373 2379 email admin@peacefoundation.org.nz

Clearance books, t-shirts and wristbands.

Clearance CD's, DVD's, magnet, first day cover & posters.

Clearance Kindergarten resources.

 Cool Schools has recently created a Facebook page where Cool School Mediators can share photos, videos, stories, ideas and comments about resolving conflict peacefully in our school communities. Check out our page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland/Cool-Schools-
The-New-Zealand-Peace-Foundation/136695189247 and become a fan. 

WHAT IS THE PEACEBUILDING APPROACHES CATALOGUE?
T... more

ENACT is a new youth website dedicated to inspiring the participation of young people in peace issues; in Aotearoa and in the world as a whole.

It provides a forum for voicing your opinions and finding out about all things peace-related. It includes information and initiatives for youth on promoting peaceful relationships at home, in the community and around the world.

ENACT is an initiative of the Peace Foundation Wellington office.