Programs

Workshop Curriculum

The Peacemaker Corps curriculum was developed in1998-1999 under the close supervision of Dr. Robert D. Harris, former Professor at the University of Virginia.  Dr. Harris led an expert team bringing his reputation and dedication to conflict resolution around the globe. Additional input came from many professionals, including Carole Krechman with her many years of experience operating family entertainment businesses nationwide.  Other members of the team included Severin Sorenson, CEO of SPARTA Consulting, who brought experience from years of providing security and peacekeeping tasks within the Nation’s vast public housing communities under HUD.

The Peacemaker Corps Curriculum is comprised of seven modules. Each module focuses on a vital element of being a Peacemaker:

• Issues in Youth Violence: Facilitators and students discuss the patterns and prevalence of different types of offenses and victimization. Discussion also includes topics such as domestic violence, date rape, youth gangs, urban terrorism and other issues relevant to today’s youth. Additionally, participants discuss perceptions of youth crime, terrorism and crime reduction programs.
• Tolerance & Diversity Training:  Participants discuss attitudes within their communities and take part in bias awareness exercises. Students participate in exercises that highlight how their own prejudices affect relations with others. Students also examine how cultural conflicts affect their dealings with others and how these conflicts can lead to resentment, continuing problems, bullying and terrorist activities.
• Ethics:  Participants are asked to identify ethical behaviors. Scenarios are discussed among the participants to develop a consensus on proper reactions to difficult situations in which their ethics may be challenged.
• Mentoring:  Participants discuss the important components of mentoring programs and are exposed to available peer mentoring programs. Through this training, participants learn methods for establishing their own effective programs.
• Conflict Resolution:  Students learn conflict resolution skills by enacting and critiquing mock conflict situations. They acquire the necessary skills in cooperation, bias awareness, communication, and problem solving to become successful community Peacemakers.
• Peer Mediation:  Peacemakers learn negotiation and communication skills that are essential for amicably settling disputes between their peers. Through observing model mediation sessions and by working through mock mediations, students learn to take responsibility for their actions and make choices that will, in turn, reduce the traditional disciplinary role taken by schools.
• Community Organizing:  Students learn the nuts and bolts of community organizing. In this session, participants learn to develop programs, attract and keep participants, and rally support from within their communities. Students present their own plans to local community members and receive constructive feedback on their approach to community organizing.