PEACE EDUCATION

Even if we provide a roof over our own and our family’s heads, and even if we can food sufficient  food on the table, for our lives and for society to function we still need peace.

Peace Ambassador Prem Rawat set out to create a simple education program to help people discover their own inner resources—innate tools for living such as inner strength, choice, and hope—and the possibility of personal peace.

Together with a team from TPRF – the Prem Rawat Foundation – they created a curriculum that consists of 10 videos, each focusing on a particular theme. The videos form the main material for customized, interactive workshops that are are non-religious and non-sectarian. The content of each theme is based on excerpts from Prem Rawat’s international talks. The themes are: Peace, Appreciation, Inner Strength, Self-Awareness, Clarity, Understanding, Dignity, Choice, Hope, and Contentment.

The DVDs come with accompanying workbook and facilitators manual in many different languages.

Peace Education Programs have been run in many different situations including Civic & Government Groups, Community Groups, Corporations & Foundations, Correctional Facilities, Education, Health & Wellness, Police & Law Enforcement, Seniors, Special Groups and Veterans.

Participants have enjoyed the course and have been overwhelmingly positive. For example, a Peace Education Program run in the UK at London’s Thameside Prison volunteer Tony McLean says; “out of the 140 participants, four didn’t complete the course—less than 3%—so overall, it’s been a huge success”.

In a recent interview Tony went on to say, ” it’s had a wonderful impact. About 140 inmates have participated in all the sessions of the 10-week course. Many inmates have low self-esteem. They come from backgrounds where they have not been respected at all, and a lot of them feel they have never been listened to. Many of them have never really listened to anything either. With the Peace Education Program, they have learned to start listening. It takes less than a minute in any one session for the participants to calm down and pay attention. They are usually more than happy to make comments and many like to express themselves after having studied the materials. Their self-esteem seems to be increasing and many express themselves eloquently.”

The TPRF website lists a wide range of endorsements coming from different parts of the world and people in different situation.

Find out more here:

http://tprf.org/programs/peace-education-program/

 

Investor in Peace: TPRF

OVERVIEW

Name: The Prem Rawat Foundation TPRF.org

Type: The Prem Rawat Foundation is a nonprofit public foundation created in 2001.

Mission Statement: Is to address the fundamental human needs of food, water and peace. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, TPRF is dedicated to helping build a world at peace, one person at a time, so that people can live with: Dignity • Peace • Prosperity

Peace-promoting activities: Peace Education, Inspiration, Human Aid

Peace Bank Status: Registered, non-verified

Short description: To fulfill its mission of addressing the fundamental human needs of food, water, and peace, The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has developed a variety of programs and initiatives these include Peace for People, Food for People, Peace Education Program

 

 

Investor in Peace: the Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation

OVERVIEW TSSEFLOGO

Name: The Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation TSSEF.se

Type: A nonprofit public foundation created in 1995.

Mission Statement:  The Foundation works with policy makers to offer systemic approaches and solutions to the challenge of developing society in a sustainable way.

Peace-promoting activities: Human rights policy, food security policy

Short description:

For governments and authorities to serve citizens well, we believe they need access to a broad spectrum of reliable sources of advice. This is especially true when crafting policy at a systemic level. The Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation has been in operation since 1995 to offer alternative, sustainable views of economic policy. Our own experts and network of  thought leaders offers extensive insights into alternative approaches to sustainable prosperity.

Addressing Inner Transition

inner
Photo: Maj-Lis Koivisto

Inner transition represents the spiritual and mental side of the necessary technical move from fossil fuels (partly motivated by the climate threat) to a more planet and people-friendly lifestyle. The change is often framed as meaning we need to give things up, make do with less, face harder times etc. Because of this, change to sustainability and promotion of peace that comes with sustainability, meet resistance.

We need to better understand the emotional response to these changes as well as the context in which we are trying to operate. This is one of the aims of Inner Transition.

Stephen Hinton recently gave a short introduction to Inner Transition at a garden workshop in Sweden.

Read the account of Stephen’s workshop here.
Read Transition Town co-founder Rob Hopkins’ view of inner transition.

Excerpt from “Splitting the Arrow”

In his book “Splitting the Arrow” peace ambassador Prem Rawat explains the three levels of conflict:

  • The first is between two countries.
  • The second is between two people.
  • The third is the conflict that rages with an individual.

He goes on to say….

The first step is for individuals to nurture and practice peace in their own hearts. When enough individuals can do this, then the external wars can come to an end.

Impressions from the Lands, Lives and Security conference

caux

It is a true honour to take part in the Caux dialogues. On this the final day, as the sun sets over lake Geneva I will just share some general impressions.

This year’s conference focused on the challenge of migration. Most migrants come from dry land areas where climate change is creating tension as food productivity falls. These tensions over land reduce the ability to manage resources worsening degradation and resulting in more conflict. The conference brought together policymakers, scientists, activists and farmers to chart ways to unpack the complexity in the challenge. Continue reading Impressions from the Lands, Lives and Security conference

Opinion: Put Peace on the Pickle

Stephen Hinton 2016
Photo: Maj-Lis Koivisto

I come from the Islands of Britain where we find ourselves in a major pickle.

We have a few short years to solve defossilisation, food security, reformation of the economic system and to redress a lot of badwill being stirred up by our Brexit and all the austerity our Island peoples suffer from.

We can fix this if we remember what we have and why we are here. We ave a great place to live. We are Peace-loving and pragmatic. Let’s focus on what we want and from that take responsibility for our communities and our Islands. Starting with where we live.
Continue reading Opinion: Put Peace on the Pickle