[HWPL Peace Education] The Reality of Peace Education:

A Wave of Change Starting in Atlanta

Atlanta, USA, is a city rich in diversity and historical significance, symbolized by Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent peace movement. However, the community still grapples with persistent challenges like racial discrimination and gun violence. Amidst these struggles, HWPL's peace education has planted seeds of hope, empowering students and the local community to foster positive change and make a meaningful impact.

▎ The First Step of Peace Education in Atlanta

In 2022, Ruth Perez, a former peer counseling teacher at Sunrise Middle School in Atlanta, recognized the importance of peace education and worked to integrate it into the school’s counseling curriculum. Her efforts led to the first implementation of HWPL peace education at Sunrise Middle School. Since then, HWPL has signed MOUs with three educational organizations in Atlanta, actively expanding its peace education programs.

Currently, there are seven peace educators operating in Atlanta, sharing the values of peace across elementary schools, high schools, and local nonprofit organizations.

▎ Peace Education and Camps: Moving Students' Hearts

HWPL peace education was introduced to Atlanta in 2021 through a local radio program and officially began in 2022 at Sunrise Middle School. Students participating in peace education explored their personal values and engaged in team projects to foster collaboration and understanding.

Notably, the partnership with 100 Black Men of DeKalb County brought peace education to middle and high school students, creating a significant impact. After the sessions, students took practical steps to promote peace in their communities through volunteer activities.

Peace camps also provided students with an opportunity for in-depth learning. For example, in 2022, youth from the Atlanta Youth and Young Adult Choir attended a three-day camp where they wrote and composed songs about peace, producing a music video to share their message.

▎ Transforming Students: From Hatred to Peace

Peace education has sparked profound changes in students. One student shared, “I used to think forgiveness was something weak people did to accept their situation, but now I realize forgiveness is the key to building a relationship with oneself.” Another remarked, “Hatred corrupts the soul, leading to darkness and unhappiness,” emphasizing the importance of peace.

Through these experiences, students began to overcome biases and work towards understanding themselves and others, guided by the values of peace and legacy.

▎ The Positive Impact of Peace Education on Communities

HWPL peace education does more than teach students; it drives transformative changes in the community as a whole. Empowered by the values of peace, students lead initiatives like volunteering and community discussions, becoming catalysts for societal improvement.

Ruth Perez expressed her belief in the program's potential: “Not all students will grow the seeds of peace, but for some, these seeds will take root and grow into trees of peace.”

▎ In Conclusion: Peace Is Our Future

HWPL peace education in Atlanta is more than a program—it is a model of the values and vision humanity must pursue. In a multicultural and diverse society like the United States, peace is not optional but essential. Through education, the roots of peace are spreading, offering hope for a better future.

Peace is not an abstract concept but a way of life that requires action. The changes sparked in Atlanta hold the promise of expanding across the United States and even the world.

To learn more about HWPL’s peace education activities and watch the music video created by students, visit this YouTube link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irNftiOmz9M.

[HWPL] Eight schools signed the MOU... Teachers are experiencing increased satisfaction, saying, 'It's rewarding to see the changes in students.'"

Bangladesh has become a prominent country for HWPL peace education, signing MOUs with eight schools, including Shamshul Hoque Khan School. The initiative has seen strong support from educators, particularly Dr. Mabubur Rahman Molla, the principal of Shamshul Hoque Khan School, who was inspired by HWPL's commitment to peace after witnessing a large peace conference in Seoul in 2014. His leadership has led to the implementation of peace education programs in multiple schools, emphasizing the importance of cultivating students as messengers of peace.

Since the introduction of the HWPL peace education curriculum in 2017, schools like Uttara Model School have actively engaged in peace education and training for teachers. Principal Abdul Momin established the school to improve equitable educational opportunities in the region and sees HWPL's curriculum as a means to foster harmony among students. He and other educators believe that teaching peace is essential for shaping responsible future leaders.

As of now, a total of 36 teachers from eight schools have participated in peace teacher training programs. Teachers have expressed their fulfillment in teaching peace values and guiding students towards positive change. They emphasize that nurturing a peaceful mindset among students is crucial for a brighter future. With a significant youth population, Bangladesh recognizes the importance of quality education in shaping national prospects, currently ranking 91st out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index.

Reference : https://bit.ly/3wswlsg

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