Teaching peer conflict resolution skills
Abstract
This model from the book Effective Practices in Public Safety focuses on AmeriCorps programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Brooklyn, New York, that are teaching students nonviolent conflict resolution. By providing members of the program with intensive training on nonviolent conflict resolution from a certified trainer, the members are then prepared to go out in teams to teach fellow students about conflict resolution.Issue
In urban areas, where violence is a very real threat for many students, teaching nonviolent conflict resolution is one means of prevention.
Action
The effective practice in this model is "training the trainer." By providing members of the program with intensive training on nonviolent conflict resolution from a trainer certified in conflict resolution, the members are then prepared to go out in teams to teach fellow students about conflict resolution.
Potential trainers receive 40 hours of nonviolent conflict resolution training from a private trainer certified in conflict resolution.
They then form three-member teams that go to schools and provide a series of four workshops — an introduction to the the basic concepts of understanding what conflict is and how our perspective helps define conflict; feelings and acceptable strategies for dealing with feelings; how communication affects conflict; pledging an oath of nonviolence based on work in previous sessions.
Teachers remain in the classrooms during the peer training for classroom management and for becoming familiar with conflict resolution strategies.
Area police are invited to talk about their real life experiences.
Students receive certificates for completing the workshops.
Context
Most of the students have never been taught nonviolent alternatives for resolving conflict.Citation
National Crime Prevention Council. 1999. Effective Practices in Public Safety. Washington, DC: National Crime Prevention Council.Outcome
Students are exposed to a new way of thinking about conflict through these strategies.Evidence
In Philadelphia, teachers report that they have observed students using nonviolent conflict resolutions strategies in the classroom; in this instance, students used "I" statements (accepting their responsibility in the conflict) instead of accusatory "you" statements.Posted On
July 12, 2000For More Information
Resources
Additional resources on nonviolence:Nonviolence: A Way of Life
http://www.thekingcenter.com/prog/non/awayoflife.html
This section of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change website includes links to Six Principles of Nonviolence, Six Steps of Nonviolence, and the Pledge of Nonviolence.
The Institute for Peace and Justice
http://www.ipj-ppj.org/index.html
This website provides resources for creating alternatives to violence and injustice at the individual, family, community, institutional and global levels.
American Nonviolence: The History of an Idea
http://spot.colorado.edu/~chernus/NonviolenceBook/
This online book discusses the rich intellectual heritage of nonviolence. Includes chapters on Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Increase the Peace: A Primer on Fear, Violence and Transformation
This book discusses fear as the root of violence.
Directory of Peace websites
http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Peace/
This directory is a wonderful jumping off point for additional peace and nonviolence websites.
Links from Common Peace: Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence
http://www.nonviolenceworks.com/links.htm
This section leads to other peace and nonviolence websites and collections of links.
Students Against Violence Everywhere
http://www.nationalsave.org/main/action.php
This website offers concrete ideas for single day as well as ongoing violence prevention projects for students.
10 Facts About Violence Prevention from the World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/violence/en/index.html
The WHO's 2002 World report on violence and health and its subsequent follow-up have demonstrated that violence can be prevented and its impact reduced. This website will give you ideas for where the need is the greatest.
Teaching Tolerance
http://www.tolerance.org/teach/
Content rich site with sections for teachers, parents, teens, and kids. Includes ten ways to fight hate and 101 tools for tolerance.
Preventing Violence through Education, Networking and Technical Assistance (PREVENT)
http://www.prevent.unc.edu/networking/findpartners.htm
Networking with organizations who share common missions is a key in developing strategic partnerships. This list of national violence prevention organizations can help your project achieve its goals.