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	Introduction
	Overview
	Workshop Session Plan
	Key Learning Outcomes

Introduction

Peace education requires the development of an individual understanding of issues and concepts. Essentially peace education aims to: build positive supportive communities, attitudes of truth and understanding, awareness of conflict and non-violent solutions, awareness of alternative truths and self understanding”    (Source: Knight, Peace Education in a Liveable World)

Peace education is not widely understood but it is the very foundation to a Culture of Peace whereby we see ourselves in each other and we work for the benefit of the whole society.  This does not preclude individual merit, in fact, it enhances merit as all people work to help others to succeed in their dreams.  Peace Education is about educating for virtues in the person to enable them to deepen awareness of their impact on others and how they can proactively assist in conflict and prevent conflict through greater understanding of themselves and others.  Peace leads us to happiness and a world society that pre-serves the natural environment as those in harmony within can create harmony outside of themselves.  It is not an idealistic notion, it is actually our true nature.  Violence and dysfunctional behaviour has been role modelled but seldom have we role modelled virtues and outstanding behaviours that promote happiness and the greater good. 

Developing peace at the school level is where a Culture of Peace starts and through teachers, curriculum, children and parents this becomes the concentric rings that expand peace in our community.  It starts with the individual but can only be realised when the community support peace initiatives and reinforce education that promotes pro-social behaviour and emotional intelligence.  Children cannot advance in numeracy and literacy if they are bullied or feeling low self esteem or encountering violence in the home.  They lose sleep, become anxious and start to demonstrate negative behaviours.   This can be countered by schools who are committed to peace and harmony at all levels.  A World Peace Day is a starting point for a deeper discussion between schools and parents.

Schools can utilise this program to celebrate the International Day of Peace on 21 September.

Workshop Focus:
The World Peace Day (WPD) in dedicated to the International Day of Peace 21 September 2012 but can be run at any time during the year.  The WPD is designed to deliver workshops on peace, clowning and juggling.  Schools are encouraged to have the children focus on peace activities such as poetry, posters and art works to creatively display their ideas on peace.  Peacefull the World Peace Clown will visit classes during the day to discuss peace.  Schools have the option of providing a BBQ at the end of the day for parents to enable children to showcase their work.
Target Audience:
Ideal for all school levels: pre-school, primary, secondary or university.
Duration:
All day
Expected Outcomes:
Children will develop a greater understanding of peace through the example of the peace clown and workshops designed to evoke a deeper understanding and experience of peace.  Children and young people will discover that they can make a difference and  contribute to peace in the World.  The outcome for the school depends on the school contacting the media, organising the parents to attend an evening session which will develop relationships and highlight the proactive nature of schools recognising the importance of peace in ourselves and the community.  The day will impact on children, staff, parents and the local community.  

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Overview

The World Peace Clown Day is an opportunity to inspire and focus children/ youth on actively learning what peace means and how they can create peace through their actions. The World Peace Clown ‘Peacefull’ teaches the program and is a fun character that spreads love and joy and peace. Peacefull can answer questions about peace and non-violence and discuss experiences in in India (disadvantaged people), Asia (refugee camps), Russia (Patch Adams) and on her world trip.   

The full day event would encompass Peacefull the clown giving an introductory session and workshops with selected classes throughout the day. Peacefull could roam around the school to ensure kids are visited across the school.  There would be some juggling and clowning activities to bring the children together in a spirit of fun and to discussions about world peace locally and globally.  

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Workshop Session Plan

Tailored format:

• Introductory session: Talk to school about what it is like to be a clown, world peace activities and short film of Dr. Patch Adams in Russia with international group of clowns;
• Schools select 2 classes on selected values from the 8 available eg. Responsibility, Empathy, Awareness Love, Honesty, Oneness, Peace, Enjoyment and Service.  Each session is 55 minutes
• A 1.5 hour workshop is available on what peace is, the positive virtues of clowning, Patch Adams, clowning around, emotions, problem solving, war and conflict and Gandhi’s wisdom. 
• Teach juggling/clowning sessions to classes.
• Other classes can be involved in peace activities e.g. making posters, clown wigs, masks, poetry, peace songs, mediation role play, puppets, ideas for a peaceful future, wishes for peace, make a peace tree etc.

Additional options for the school to organise:

• The school could organize a BBQ in the evening as a fundraising event to pay for the day and invite family, friends and the community to celebrate peace together.
• The school could invite local speakers and inspire others.
• The school may wish to consider inviting the local media to promote your school and spread the message further through the eyes of children.

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Key Learning Outcomes

• To understand and explore peace in themselves and how it impacts their world.
• To understand the links between happiness and feelings of peace.
• To become aware of ways to actively create peace at home, school and in the community.
• To learn about case studies where peace has been actioned e.g. Patch Adams as an example of a peacemaker.
• To participate in clowning around/juggling to enjoy learning skills without the pressure of competition.
• To experience their own empowerment to make a difference by taking responsibility and expressing their ideas about peace and what they can do for their community.
• To experience positive self esteem and team building in the classroom.
• To learn about wellbeing through mental health and positive attitudes in daily life.
• To develop a deeper awareness of joy in their lives as healthy and critical for peace in the world.

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