Positive Peace in Schools: Tackling Conflict and Creating a Culture of Peace in the Classroom

by Hilary Cremin, Terence Bevington

Overview

Positive Peace in Schools offers a fresh and challenging perspective on the question of conflict, violence and peace in schools. Drawing on the most up-to-date theory and research from the field of peace and conflict studies, this book provides readers with a strong understanding of the concept of positive peace, and how the dimensions of peace-keeping, peace-making and peace-building can be robustly applied in schools.

This accessible book challenges educators everywhere to reconsider the nature of direct and indirect violence in schools, and the structural and cultural factors that sustain it. It engages with global traditions of harmony and balance that are often neglected in Western notions of liberal securitised peace, in order to suggest a model for schools that integrates inner and outer peace. The book also includes practical sections that outline restorative approaches to discipline, peer mediation, circle learning, and classroom activities to promote mindfulness, inclusion and wellbeing. Taken together, these provide a philosophy and a highly effective framework for building conflict literacy and a culture of peace in schools.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138234987
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/20/2017
Pages:	182
Product dimensions:	6.75(w) x 9.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Hilary Cremin is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge.

Terence Bevington is a freelance conflict consultant and a PhD researcher in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I: Violence in schools

1. School violence

2. Schooling as violence?

3. School improvement as violence

Part II: Peace in schools

4. Peace education

5. iPEACE education

Part III: Peace-keeping, -making and -building

6. Education for peace-keeping

7. Education for peace-making

8. Education for peace-building

Part IV: The praxis of positive peace

9. Considering research

10. Case studies

11. Curricular activities

Concluding comments

Editorial Reviews

‘The early part of this well researched book addresses the complex issues around the many forms of violence perpetrated in and by schools. This must be understood if we want to achieve real culture change.

A restorative approach to problem-solving assumes that there is something to restore to. This is addressed thoroughly through promoting an understanding of and differences between peace-building, peace-keeping and peace-making.

From the perspective of a restorative practitioner and trainer, I think it is a must read for schools who are serious about culture change and who believe in a relational approach to school life in general.’ - Margaret Thorsborne, Restorative pioneer, practitioner, author and trainer

'Positive Peace in Schools takes up the challenge of engaging with the concepts and practices for peace education in the 21^st century. Beautifully written, this book invites facilitators to comprehend that peace education is not only a subject, but a way of relating to students, colleagues and staff, moving beyond ‘doing peace education’ towards ‘being peace educators’ in the classroom and beyond. The iPEACE Model is of great help to translate the keywords of inclusion, humility and solidarity into working concepts in learning environments. I admire the clarity and depth with which Cremin and Bevington take readers from the surface to the epicenter of conflict transformation in an elicitive and safe way. This valuable and stimulating book is a must-read for anyone wanting to engage with current debates on peace education and those committed to embodying it in a holistic way.' - Josefina Echavarría Álvarez, MA Program in Peace Studies. University of Innsbruck, Austria.

‘Positive Peace in Schools is a rich resource for building inclusive, dynamic, sustainable peace in ordinary school communities. Its specific examples and guidelines for creating inclusive relationships, skills, and practices for handling issues and welcoming difference are well-grounded in scholarship and experience, organized through a clear, persuasive conceptual framework. The central idea—educating through positive peace—is critically idealistic, yet down-to-earth, justice-minded and demonstrably doable. Highlights include multi-faceted learning activities and the cases of five schools that have successfully implemented such cultural changes, equipping educators and students alike to make a better world.’ - Kathy Bickmore, Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada

From the Publisher