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REAL HOPESFOR EDUCATION"If we are to reach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we have to begin with the children” Mahatma Gandhi UNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World. UNESCO aims to foster a culture of peace through education by:
Australian Government
Values Based Education, Brendon Nelson, (former) Federal Minister for Education
"Parents are increasingly concerned to know who is teaching their children and what they are being taught. Kids being able to read, write, count and communicate when they leave school have always been priorities. But increasingly, parents are concerned to know education is being delivered within a values-based framework with which they feel comfortable. Ralph Waldo Emerson asserted 150 years ago that "Character is higher than intellect". Aristotle saw character as the amalgamation of virtues, described by Benjamin Franklin as the prerequisite for the enjoyment of freedom. When we do not, the price we pay is legislated loss of freedom. We should not be surprised if a values-free education produces values-free adults. Surely we want children to become adults who are caring, persistent, tolerant, fair and imbued with a deep sense of compassion. We should teach them to do their best, to be just, reasonable, loyal and trustworthy. Imperfect though we all are as human beings, we must surely aspire to see these attributes as the foundation on which to build young lives." The OWN Empowerment (OWN) is dedicated to the principles of peace and non-violence in schools. It is in harmony with UNESCO's vision and envisages values based education as becoming part of the main stream curriculum in Australia and worldwide. Values Based EducationValues Based Education is beginning to be viewed as essential in providing an integrative perspective which can help children to navigate life. Traditionally society has focused on writing and reading as essential for education. Whilst these tools are important they are skills not inherent human qualities. Tools without life skills creates partially developed humans. For example. how important is learning to read if a child doesn't understanding that hitting and biting hurt another. How important is math's if a child doesn't understand or feel compassion for a child crying in the playground. How important is top grades if the child experiences sexual abuse or parents separating and feels powerless. Values based education is at its core, life education. It is learning about yourself and others and how to interact peacefully. It is developing a deep understanding of values which guide children throughout their lives and provides the foundation for functional societies. Increasingly we see in the media programs imbued with violence as entertainment. It is increasingly acceptable to use violence to reach an end. In addition, the nature of the violence is becoming explicit and young children are less protected from this form of emotional assault. There is seldom a focus on conflict resolution and learning how to communicate with each other clearly. Force or manipulation are methods most commonly used to reach ends. Thus children learn that power over someone works. This is evident in violent video games and real life wars shown on television. In reality, violence is an outcome to: frustration, suppression, repression, anger and powerlessness. Ultimately, it is a response to either make another do what someone wants or to punish another for not doing what is wanted. It is not the badge for the brave, it takes more courage to look at oneself honestly and work through problems then to force or hurt another. The main question to focus on in this day and age is 'who we are' not 'what we have' and to explore 'who we want to become'. This defines where we as a society are going. Do we create a society with values of: integrity, honesty, responsibility, empathy and love? Or do we reward behaviours and attitudes where the end justifies the means, justice is winning, wealth at any cost is power, career defines the value of self, status means better than and intelligence is valued over kindness. These are the choices we are faced with today. Values based education is critical and will shape the type of world we envisage. The R.E.A.L. H.O.P.E. ProgramThe R.E.A.L. H.O.P.E. peace and non-violence program is delivered by ‘Peacefull’ the clown. The program is endorsed by the famous American clown Dr. Patch Adams. This program is likely to be the first program of its kind in the world that centres around values, peace, non-violence, anti-bullying and clowning to inspire and instruct peaceful behaviours. This program develops multiple intelligences such as: linguistic, spatial, bodily-kinaesthetic, intrapersonal (knowing yourself) and interpersonal (knowing others). In particular the program encourages emotional intelligence by showing love and speaking in a way that is kind and loving. Many children these days are not receiving enough love from their parents and may find themselves feeling unable to socialise with others easily. This program discusses values and explores the self and others. It emphasises conflict resolution and problem solving with an emphasis on perceptions and communications. It is a holistic course which recognises the vital importance of developing the whole person not just academic performance. The purpose of life is to live reach full potential and feel a happiness in life. Moreover, it is to the benefit of society that we raise functional, happy and fulfilled people who can actively contribute to enhancing our society and world. The R.E.A.L. H.O.P.E. program offers an innovative approach to teaching children by:
The aims of R.E.A.L. H.O.P.E.
This program is available to come to your primary/elementary school ( click here to visit the R.E.A.L H.O.P.E. in Primary Schools page). |
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