Be Global

The Children's PEACE Center knows that helping children to discover their own inner peace greatly enhances their ability to learn social skills to promote empathy and understanding, greater cultural awareness, and better cooperation for children of all ages. The Center helps kids learn character education, conflict and violence prevention, and peacemaking skills all with fun, hands-on interactive exhibits in discovery centers. Our world benefits through empowering our children to make better life choices, learn steps to conflict resolution and emotion management, and to develop better character traits and accept responsibility for their actions. Children already have the capacity to co-create peace here on earth. They already possess the ability to "BE GLOBAL".

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY

by Elizabeth Kim, 16 years old 

Throughout the history of our world, contact among different cultures has increased throughout the progression of time. What we have today in the 21^st century is a global bond that transcends all borders. All of the countries of the world are intimately intertwined with each other in an intricate web. What happens to one country, directly (or indirectly) impacts another country. In order for America to maintain her powerful stand, it is imperative that her youth are able to effectively embrace the world's unique and diverse cultures.

Our world needs to be one big happy family. Whether the goal is achieved or not, the perseverance and work towards the idea will make lasting impacts that will resound throughout the future. Our nation's youth must learn about different countries and their culture. They must be skilled in understanding each other as fellow human beings and in bringing peace. Ultimately, they must become valuable members of society, our big happy family. If we equip our children with skills that will help them to BE GLOBAL, we can rest assured in knowing that America's future will be in capable hands. 

Setting the Example

by Catrina Kure, 15 years old 

Diversity is what makes the world a unique place. Next time you go to a store, look around.What do you see? That's right. You will see people of different sizes, cultures, and even clothing styles.When I go to school, I see the same thing. It's everywhere;the only way to make peace is by accepting others, no matter how different things are. When I see a person with a different clothing style, such as a sari (a typical Indian outfit) or a kimono (a typical Japanese outfit), I try complimenting the person about his or her outfit. When I hear a person speaking a different language, I try asking them what language they are speaking or I even ask them to teach me how to say 'hello' in their language. When I see a neighbor I am not familiar with, I greet them with a simple 'hello'. I just remember that all friendships start with a conversation, and global peace starts with ME. 

If you start doing these simple tasks that I like to do, I can assure you that your community's future can brighten. This means that your children's future can brighten also. Children learn by following and copying what their leaders do, which is YOU. As they see you making peace with people different from you, they will do the same, inside and outside of school. Try making the next generation full of more global peace, because this is the generation your child will be living in. Just remember that change occurs over time, so be patient. 

Here's a fun site for the family to visit to learn about languages

A delightful look at children around the world for grades 3-6. Photographs of children from every continent and over 140 countries. Learn about favorite foods, housing, schools, family, and friends through pictures and text. This book is factual, respectful and insightful.

A calendar of celebrations describing

holidays and festivals of all major religions and cultures from around the world.

Grades 3-6. Join the celebration!

Our Vibrant Planet

by Ranjeema Maan, 15 years old 

On one particular day at school, all the 5^th grade students and teachers had dressed in an unusual fashion, with each individual's clothing having its own distinction. Plus, bizarre languages could be heard around the crowd. And this is how you knew for sure that it was Immigration Day at our school. On this day, the 5^th graders became "immigrants" reporting to Ellis Island while teachers became "inspectors."  We, the students, were to pass six separate "checks" in order to enter America. To be honest, those checks were absolutely ridiculous! They consisted of incomplete passport checks, language tests, and a sheet of 100 questions. I barely made it through to America! Along the way, we found a way to communicate not with words, but with hand motions and helpful expressions which helped to settle the uproar and confusion in the room. We also began to notice and comment on each other's diverse attire and food choice. We learned that this distinction in culture made us who we are and we accepted and usually admired each other's values. 

Differences, expressed in the diverse cultures that our world possesses today, make tolerance and kindness essential to keep our vibrant globe safe and peaceful. After all, "It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it," as Nelson Mandela once said. 

Activities for Global Learning

Puppeteers share the story of children from different cultures.

At the Childrens PEACE Center, we have many exhibits and learning centers to help children understand different cultures and languages around the world. We learn that we really are a global neighborhood and can learn to be friends.

The children see that our lives are woven together on the rug loom.

We travel around a lot with the Peace Mobile and have the pleasure of meeting and working with people from various countries.

We made a video once of people sharing their wishes for peace in their country. Each of them, without fail, wanted understanding, safety for their families, enough food to eat, shelter, clean air and water, jobs, friends, and to live without fear. Isn't that what all of us want? Wouldn't it be nice if we never had to live in fear?

I hope that each of us will try to meet someone new, get to know them, share your own wishes for peace and strive to bring about that peace by our daily actions and words. Our children learn from us. What will their world be like if we don't improve ours?