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National Peace
Academy
A
National Peace Academy Is On Its Way!
 The Center for Cooperative
Principles is part of a coalition of groups working with
Peace Partnership International, Business as an Agent of
World Benefit (a center within the Weatherhead School of
Management at Case Western Reserve University), and The
Biosophical Institute towards the establishment of a
National Peace Academy.
As a first step, a small
gathering of advocates, educators, corporate leaders, and
policy makers from around the world convened at Case Western
Reserve University.
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The outcomes of this Vision
Meeting held in April were:
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A vision for a National
Peace Academy
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A timeline of the
process to bring it about
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Scope and objectives of
a much larger Global Stakeholder Summit, to be held in
the spring of 2009, to further the design of the
National Peace Academy and articulate the needs and
details of bringing it to fruition
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A group identified to
move the process forward
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"Change" is the big buzzword
in the United States this year. Why? Because Americans
recognize the need for a serious rethink in the way this
country operates, both domestically and internationally.
Troubled with a trillion dollar war, a homicide rate 10
times that of other leading industrial nations, and a prison
population that includes 1 in every 100 citizens, Americans
are seeking solutions that are less costly and more
sustainable.
Tremendous effort is being
made at all levels of society to address these trends, with
primary focus on addressing the symptoms of violence, both
international and domestic. We need to be just as focused on
addressing the root causes. A National Peace Academy, an
idea that has been around since the early days of our
country, could, among other things:
- Research and provide
information on the root causes of violence, and
practical ways to resolve conflict before it erupts into
violence
- Research, promote, and
support implementation of “best practices” that address
issues such as domestic violence, school violence, and
gang violence, many of which already exist and have been
shown to be cost-effective
- Offer degree-granting
programs in peacebuilding and conflict transformation
- Offer training programs,
complementary to those of the military service
academies, to civilian and military government personnel
and civil society organizations, preparing them to work
effectively in critical peace-making, peacekeeping, and
peacebuilding operations in communities domestically and
around the world.
The Center for Cooperative
Principles is serving on the research committee for the
establishment of a National Peace Academy and is part of the
planning and development of this historic educational
initiative. At the close of the gathering Patty Roeding,
President of the Center for Cooperative Principles,
presented Peace Partnership International, Case Weatherhead
School of Management, and the Biosophical Institute a Banner
of Peace designed by Professor Nicholas Roerich in gratitude
for convening the National Peace Academy visioning meeting
and their work on behalf a positive future for all humanity.
The Banner of Peace
“Wherever the Banner is
displayed, it recognizes the great achievements of the past,
the present, and the future. It encourages the individual to
strive to fulfill his highest potential, beautifying all
aspects of life; it encourages each person to take
responsibility for the evolution of the planet; it signifies
the peace-builder; and it symbolizes the transformation of
the individual and society. It represents cooperation – the
cornerstone of the emerging planetary culture – in all
aspects of human activity.”
Nicholas Roerich
(1874-1947)
More
information to follow. If you would like to learn more about
the National Peace Academy go to:
www.nationalpeaceacademy.us
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