Education for Peace
To contribute to improving school environments through the use of conflict resolution techniques. To develop collaborative and responsible citizens.
About You
About You
First Name
Gabriela
Last Name
Asmar
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Associação Partners do Brasil - Centro de Colaboração Democrática
Organization Website
Organization Country
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Country where this project is creating social impact
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Is your organization a
Non‐profit / NGO / Citizen sector organization
Your role in Education
Other.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Public (tuition-free)
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Start-Up (a pilot that has just begun operating)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Operating for less than a year
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
The school is a space of coexistence among children and adolescents with different characteristics, which facilitates the occurrence of conflicts which sometimes translate into acts of violence such as punching, slapping, pushing games, physical assaults and verbal bullying etc. In time, this violence leads to learning challenges and a lack of student attendance, which results in high rates of truancy. For harmony and respect to exist at school, it is essential to have proper administration of the problems that arise, avoiding interference in the process of teaching and learning. In order to accomplish this, new ways of dealing with conflicts should be developed to provide the foundation of a safe school environment.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Empowering students and teachers in the skills of Conflict Resolution in Schools (RCE), using the tenants of the Peer Mediation model so they can deal positively with conflict, which is something natural and inevitable in life. Constructively dealing with problems enables students to promote a greater understanding of themselves and others, and is an opportunity to improve relationships, identify effective solutions to problems, and build awareness so as to assume responsibilities in building a positive school climate etc. thus, the goal of the project is to create a non-violent conflict resolution that replaces the paradigm of violence to one of integration, as well as increases the development of self-esteem and the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully and creatively.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
Weekly, students and teachers of 4th, 6th and 8th grades, members of 10 schools in the municipal school network of Rio de Janeiro, are visited by a pair of professionals responsible for training students and teachers in techniques of school conflict resolution (RCE) All of them therefore have the opportunity to experience, through dynamic role-plays and discussions, the development of skills such as cooperation, communication, appreciation for diversity, positive expression of emotions and conflict resolution. And the students of the 8th grade, beyond this basic training, receive additional training specific to serve as "Peer Mediators", or as facilitators of dialogue between other students in their respective schools, acting as positive leadership examples. Since teachers are trained to apply this core curriculum in school subjects and support those students who choose to be Peer Mediators, they assist with the sustainability of the program at school.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Because it works in the area of municipal schools education districts, the project works in partnership with the Education Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro and with the sponsorship of Petrobras, HSBC Solidariedade, Institute and the GE Foundation. However, the project’s differential consists of students working on skills related to self-esteem, empathy, recognizing feelings, tolerance in dealing with the differences etc. The success of the project depends, therefore, not only in the interests of its recipients, but mainly the participation and support of all actors that comprise the school community, which are: principals, teachers, educators, parents, and community in encouraging the new form of behavior.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
To contribute to improving the school environment through the use of Conflict Resolution techniques and Peer Mediation.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
To positively address conflicts in order to create a culture of peace in schools.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Since the second half of 2011, the Educação para a Paz project was present in 10 schools in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, training over 1,300 students and teachers. All our work is guided by the goal of changing perceptions about conflict and how to deal with it, seeking the adoption of new forms of behavior, which requires time and specific forms of benchmarking. However, we recognize the impact of this work due to the acceptance and adoption of our curriculum by teachers, the students' interest, in the subtle behavioral changes, teachers reports, etc.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
The project currently covers 4th, 6th and 8th grades of the schools where it is present. Over the next year, the goal is to gradually serve the remaining grades of elementary school, so that at the end of two years, the whole school community (1st to 9th grade) have the opportunity to receive training in conflict resolution techniques for schools, which will facilitate the construction of a culture of peace in the school environment.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
To train students and teachers in School Conflict Resolution techniques.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Select 10 schools which want to implement the project
Task 2
Raise awareness among the school community for selected schools
Task 3
Implement regular training courses in School Conflict Resolution techniques.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Train Peer Mediators in each school
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Offer a specific training for Peer Mediation
Task 2
Structure Peer Mediation together with directors and teachers in each school
Task 3
Launch the Peer Mediation Program for the entire school community
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
Currently, the movement of mediation as an alternative form of conflict resolution has gained traction. School mediation, specifically, plays an important role in the development of citizenship to prevent and alleviate tensions and violence, to stimulate community life, to conceive of discrimination, oppression and exclusion in all its manifestations. In other words, it contributes to the formation of subjects conscious, participative and supportive. In countries like France, USA, Argentina, Belgium and the Czech Republic, mediation in educational settings has shown very positive results, through the enrichment of relationships between students, school and community, the decrease in disciplinary problems and school violence, and in some of them, affect the level of public policy. The idea to import this social technology was therefore based on this context and international experience.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
The support of all actors involved, directly or indirectly, in the school community is fundamental to the sustainability of our actions in the medium and long term, to optimize community resources and add new points of view and experiences, expanding our impact.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
The Projeto Educação para a Paz (Education for Peace Project) is implemented by a multidisciplinary team of facilitators trained in conflict resolution skills and experience in acting in socially disadvantaged areas. The team is highly qualified and is responsible for the training of students and teachers from each school, providing them support and assistance in structuring the Peer Mediation Program.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
We seek new sources of financing, professionals interested in our work, new forms of dissemination and collaboration with other organizations interested in developing the area of education to expand this initiative and make it public policy. We have a team qualified in an innovative theme of Conflict Resolution in Brazil willing to collaborate and develop new multipliers.
 | 58 weeks ago Muriel Duarte said: Gabriela, Muito legal seu projeto! É bastante semelhante a minha iniciativa, podemos trocar figurinhas! about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
