ISPG - Benefits for schools

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PEACE GARDENS - BENEFITS TO SCHOOLS

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PEACE GARDENS is an exciting and innovative Canadian Educational Program that invites every young person, in every school in the world to become involved in creating a better future for the planet. Schools are invited to plan, plant, dedicate a peace tree, peace garden, or peace park. ISPG supports schools existing curriculum in peace education, conflict resolution, environmental studies, inter-cultural understanding, and the arts. We encourage the school community to use their peace garden, as often as possible. ISPG has many educational and social benefits:

For Children it offers:
• Cooperation, friendship and support.
• Solutions to bullying and other life problems;
• Participation in a positive and nurturing activity;
• Greater awareness and tolerance;
• Physical and spiritual involvement;
• Skills development in Presentation and Fund Raising;
• Electronic sharing of ideas with other ISPG schools;
• Real world application in Design, Language Arts, Music and Art.

For Teachers it offers:
• Curriculum linkages;
• Peace Education training and materials;
• Earth Charter and Ecological Footprint Information;
• Ideas for Education in Peacebuilding, Human Security and Sustainability Education;

For Schools it offers:
• Increased awareness for the protection of the school environment;
• Development of a caring and supportive school culture;
• Evolution of a stewardship ethic amongst students and staff;
• Program Continuity within a school with changing Principals;
• Community building; and
• An enhanced community image;

International School Peace Gardens has:
• Letters of support from the Governor General of Canada, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the Minister of Foreign Affairs both in Canada and Australia, other Ministries of Education, schools and universities in Canada, Australia, Mexico, UNESCO MAB, Council on Global Issues;
• Awarded Official ECOSOC Special Status at the United Nations.
• Awarded: 1/1000 PeaceWomen Across the Globe for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
• Nominated for the Hague Appeal for Peace Prize in 2001.
• Awarded YMCA Canada Peace Medal in 1998;
• Added by the 'Hague Appeal for Peace' to its 'best practices' list;
• Been the focus of a “TVO Teacher of the Year Award”- St. Agnes School, Chatham, Ontario. Received very kind support from major industries, local businesses, community groups and many volunteers.
• Distributed information to members countries at the United Nations, NY;
• Offered countries their own individual choice of ISPG programs.
• Expanded from Ontario, Canada to 37 countries.
• Involved many students worldwide.

The ISPG program has helped schools to reduce bullying, vandalism and violence.