This planet belongs to us all; we are all earth citizens.

What would be our ideal society to live in? How would people relate to each other? Most importantly, how would people relate to self? What kind of harmony and balance would we find in all organizations and infrastructures? How would people rate themselves on the spectrum of love and inner peace? In 1778, Jean-Jacques Rousseau proclaimed that children are perfectly designed organisms, ready to learn from their surroundings as to grow into virtuous adults. Children are the mirror of society in which they live reflecting back to us the answers to these questions. Let’s take a moment to reflect: Are we happy with the results?

At CCTP, we endorse a philosophy that respects all aspects of self and one that embraces the wholeness of oneself. This philosophy can be traced back to Plato, who in 348 BC was a strong advocate of holistic and humanistic approaches to education. Even before Plato, the illustrious philosopher Aristotle in 322 BC was recognizing the value of creating good and virtuous citizens.

When we look at the state of our world today, never before has there been such an urgent need to provide our children with a loving and living model.

In support of this reality, our main core values are:

• Respect for self
• Respect for others
• Respect for the environment

Teachers are mentors whose primary role is to accompany students on their path of self–discovery and self-honouring. Carl Rogers, one of the founders of humanistic psychology suggested that “The only kind of learning which significantly influences behavior is self-discovered or self-appropriated learning - truth that has been assimilated in experience.” This is at the heart of our philosophy. At the same time, teachers are also partners with their students, enabling all to become ethical leaders. Students would be encouraged to be agents for constructive transformation of their own community and the ‘global village’. They would be empowered to serve. Integrated into daily school life would be opportunities for students to demonstrate their self-motivated and self-directed learning skills in shared leadership projects in order to develop a servant leadership attitude. Collaborative learning, service learning, student-centered and student-driven approaches would be the focal point of the daily programs delivered at schools.

All curricular and extra curricular expectations would be woven into real life situations that are relevant to students. As engaged citizens, they would be encouraged to envision and explore new ideas and concepts. It would enable them to put in practice the theory of constructivism where people gain knowledge and meaning from their own experiences. John Dewey, Jean Piaget and Maria Montessori, all notable educators, were among the leaders who influenced constructivism. Thinking outside the box would be the norm in such a school environment, thus cultivating a culture that would enable such deliberations.

By drawing on real life materials and community needs and expertise, they would have the privilege to shape their own values, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and skills.

It is our belief that a school culture and curriculum rooted in the timeless principles of holistic education will bring forth generations of children who are first and foremost happy, balanced and ethical.

 

“Only a human being can foster another human being. It takes a truly humanistic person to raise a truly humanistic person. Schoolteachers and others dedicated to developing people carry out a task of immeasurable value. The effects of this task will last forever.” - Soka Education

November 9 - 15, 2009, McMaster Unviersity Student Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

On behalf of the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace (CCTP) and the McMaster Centre for Peace Studies, we are pleased to announce this year’s 8th Annual Peace Education Conference in Canada focusing on the important theme of “bringing greater peace into our schools”.  Within this context, we will also be exploring the role of “gender and sexuality” and “emotional, social and spiritual intelligence” in advancing our goals towards a universal culture of peace.

Continuing our tradition from past years, this conference will be an opportunity for those passionate about educating for peace to converge, connect and reflect upon our commitments to peace and justice in this world.  The core conference, hosted at McMaster University, will begin in the evening on Thursday, November 12th and come to a close in the afternoon on Sunday, November 15th.  Together, we will explore how we can infuse the mainstream school system with peace education and peaceful educators.  Through engaging workshops, inspiring speakers and focused reflections, we will learn new ways of being and teaching that better serve ourselves and our fellow learners.

On behalf of the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace (CCTP) and the McMaster Centre for Peace Studies, we are pleased to announce this year’s 8th Annual Peace Education Conference in Canada focusing on the important theme of “bringing greater peace to our schools”.  Within this context, we will also be exploring the role of “gender and sexuality” and “emotional, social and spiritual intelligence” in advancing our goals towards a universal culture of peace.  This year, the pre-conference which includes indigenous, LGBTQ and youth peace education conferences, in addition to smaller events engaging with the diverse aspects of peace work, will take place between Monday, November 9th and Thursday 12th in various venues around Hamilton.  The main conference, which will be hosted at McMaster University, will begin on Thursday evening and finish in the afternoon on Sunday, November the 15th.

Proposal Forms:
Paper Proposal (Word .doc file)
Workshop Proposal (Word .doc file)

In association with the McMaster University Centre for Peace Studies, the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace is pleased to announce the 8th annual Peace Education Conference in Canada.  This year, the theme is, “bringing greater peace to our schools”, and it will be held at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON between November 12th and 15th, 2009.  The pre-conference will take place earlier that week between the 9th and the 12th.  It will include day long Indigenous, LGBTQ and Youth peace education conferences, as well as diverse workshops engaging with the various aspects of local peace work.  Throughout both the pre and main conference, there will be a sub focus on the role of “gender and sexuality”, as well as “emotional, social and spiritual intelligence” in advancing the goals of peace education.

We are seeking proposals from diverse communities that can offer unique insights around how we can best prepare to introduce peace education into the public school system at all levels (preschool, elementary, high school and college/university) across Canada.  Both theoretical and practical suggestions for advancing a culture of peace within formal school communities are welcome.  Presenters, facilitators and speakers are encouraged to focus on the necessity for integrating peace education into curricula in mainstream school systems, what this process can look and feel like, how we can achieve this logistically and/or how we can address ongoing challenges that educators may be facing as they strive to promote peace and justice in their classrooms and greater school communities.    

At this moment, we are inviting proposals for workshops, panels, displays and creative intermissions.  Preference will be attributed to those that explicitly model the values and character of peace education both in content and approach.  As well, in the spirit of peace education, we strive to be open and inclusive to diverse communities and invite perspectives representing varying ages, genders, sexualities, cultures, classes, races, regions, religions, spiritualities, abilities, etc.  

We look forward to hearing from you and hope to find a way to showcase and share the important work you are doing to advance peace on this planet!  Please join us as we converge this November to build a more supportive network of educators striving for peace within themselves, their families, classrooms and greater communities.  Together, we can share and celebrate our passions, experiences, skills and suggestions in order to make peace education accessible and available to all learners throughout this country. 

Deadline for submissions is May 30th, 2009.

Proposal Forms:
Paper Proposal (Word .doc file)
Workshop Proposal (Word .doc file)

Proposals must be submitted using our provided form.  Completed proposals can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or faxed to (905) 570-1167. Please put “conference proposal” in the subject line. 

Are you interested in helping with this year’s Peace Education Conference? If so, please see the list (below) of roles we need help with, then contact Chelsea at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the following information:

Name/Contact Info/Role or Committee you would like to be part of/When you can help

Volunteer Coordinator: help recruit and organize volunteers for the conference and coordinate volunteers onsite at conference

Logistics Coordinator: organize the schedule and layout for the weekend, ensure transitions are smooth and address logistical issues that may occur during the conference

Registration Coordinator: Receive and organize incoming registrations before the conference, address questions, and handle on-site registration during conference

Hospitality Liaison: Communicate with venue and catering teams to request changes in layout or orders before conference, and ensure our needs are met throughout the conference

Advertising Coordinator: Before the conference this coordinator would advertise the event, connected events, and work with other organizations and businesses to gain advertising space

Media/Promotion Coordinator: Write editorials or articles for publications, promote conference on radio, TV, internet, and handle incoming inquiries from media sources

Special Events Coordinator: Coordinate evening events connected to the conference, including a celebration of cultures evening, and jazz night, as well as booking entertainers that will be onsite for conference.

Fundraising and Outreach Coordinator: Seek grants, donations, and help generate revenue for the conference and organization

Booths and Exhibit Organizer: advertise and book 8 exhibitor booths before conference

AV Coordinator: reserve appropriate AV equipment and be on hand to address any problems throughout the conference (will not have to setup equipment)

Transportation/Parking: just before and during conference ensure there are clear instructions on transit and parking (for participants)

Wellness, First Aid, and Security Coordinator: Organize and communicate the appropriate information and protocol for potential emergencies

*are we missing something? Feel free to create your own task or offer up a unique skill!