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In the Spring of 2005, thirty-two students from across Canada
travelled to the Balkans seeking that often-illusive goal
- “to make the world a more peaceful place.” Inspired
into action after watching the documentary Teaching Peace
in a Time of War, these students and their teachers worked
for several months to raise money to travel to war torn Serbia
to visit schools and attend a peace conference run by and
for youth.
They proclaimed themselves
Students for Teaching Peace
Working in collaboration with filmmakers Teresa MacInnes
and Kent Nason many of these students participated in recording
the trip and shaping the content of the feature documentary,
Hope for the Future. They have since gone on to establish
Students for Teaching Peace as an active organization with
a growing membership across Canada and around the world. |
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Students for Teaching Peace is committed
to promoting the understanding and respect of all beliefs
and cultures, through advocacy, non-violent conflict resolution,
and education. The members of this student based and run
organization travel internationally to promote the message
of peace. At home they share their on-going pursuit of empowering
communities to develop their own social responsibility,
to create a peaceful future and compassion for others.
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In 2006 the Students For Teaching Peace group expanded to a 48
students from schools in the region, plus a group of students from
Saint Mary's University, and travelled to Belfast, Northern Ireland
for the second of their international missions to promote the ideals
of peaceful schools.
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"When we first arrived in Belfast I found we didn't
see anything that signified there was conflict. We saw wonderfully
friendly people who helped us out and we saw beautiful places
and buildings. I realize now that Northern Ireland a place
of layers. And when you first go you see the outer layer -
the tourists? layer ? at first glance. While in Northern Ireland,
I learned that not all Protestants dislike Catholics, or vise
versa. It?s not really about the religions, and there are
so many parts to understand. But not all the people there
feel the way media makes it seem. A lot of people do want
to see change. The conflict has so much depth to it, so much
history and events that have built up. It?s hard to describe.
It?s about allegiance, beliefs, and identification. But there
are so many in Northern Ireland who want to change and hearing
them say, ?I just wish we could all just live here as one?
or ?I wish the violence would stop? makes you realize that
Northern Ireland is slowly and surely getting a lot better
than what it was in the past but it still has a way to go
until it is resolved. And even when that day comes there will
be remaining scars and reminders of the conflict."
Briana Miller, SFTP
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