take a peace quiz...lots available

After treating you to the Gandhi quiz, I thought it would be appropriate to look for other opportunities for gauging knowledge of peace. Well, a google search uncovers a bunch ways to engage or test your peace aptitude.

free knowledge tools...open office

In 2003 I attended ETD2003 in Berlin, Germany and noticed some of the presenters were using presentation tools that were not quite MS Office (the presentation handouts had slide miniatures that were more square than rectangular). When I asked what was up, the presenter told me about Open Office. OpenOffice.org is a free productivity suite compatible with all major office suites. Although you get get a Windows version, this might be the moment for you to try linux by picking up one of those no-OS pc's at Walmart for about $400 complete, add linux, Open Office for Linux, and web and email clients for linux. What has this to do with building a Culture of Peace? A whole community supports open alternatives as a way to share knowledge and literacy without a profit motive....the kind of culture that the global village needs!

Standing alone...a quiet revolutiion

As the leader of the planning group to host the Gandhi King Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace exhibit at Yale University from January 28 to February 9, one of the activities I planned on campus during the exhibit was an afternoon film festival on Monday, January 31. I programed a section of official Indian film documentary version of Gandhi's declaration of independence and first act of non-violent civil disobedience, the march to the sea to make salt. in defiance of the British control of salt as a taxable commodity. The second film was a rare copy of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech at Stanford University on April 19, 1967 known as the "Other America" speech. The final film I selected was A Quiet Revolution, which was which was produced by the Earth Council in cooperation with UNDP and UNEP, and supported by Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the organization founded by Mr. Ikeda in 1975. Considering that Monday is a busy academic day, I was happy to see about 15 persons show up at the beginning of the films. By the time A Quiet Revolution was about to start, I was the only person in the audience. But I decided to stand (in this case sit) alone and ponder the visual message of individual conscience and sustainable development in local areas of our global neighborhood. I hope some of you try to obtain this short but memorable film and share it with others. Individuals standing alone produced remarkable hope and prosperity in their respective situations...

How well do you know Gandhi?

The Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation, based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, presents a self-scoring opportunity to test your knowledge of MK Gandhi. You can choose from a a minimum of five questions to the entire question bank of 35 questions. They also cite an alternative source to understand the mind of Gandhi through a series of questions that you and others might ask him. As an example, you might ask Gandhi, "Why do you promote Vegetarianism ?

Sustain a sustainable idea: heifer.org

More and more people are learning about the work of heifer.org to build a greater public consciousness and bring sustainable food supplies to the places where it can make the most difference. You can read about the philosophy of the approach, which not only presents families with animals that perpetually produce consumable food(eg eggs or milk) or material (eg wool) that can be bartered for food or other necessities, but also teaches those new owners that value of caring for animals and the merit (indeed, the requirement) to pass on animal offspring to others. The seeds of community prosperity can also translate into the construction of schools and the reduction of child labor. My colleagues and I collect an annual contribution made jointly, either for general application or for specific animals. Be the one to spark a movement at your office. I owe a debt of gratitude to my colleague that opened my eyes....

More on research for peace

The International Peace Research Institute (Oslo) has supported scholarly research in Peace Studies for more than 45 years. Applications for fellowships and internships are available, as well as what is described as "interesting work" for conscientious objectors (if you can read Norwegian).
A news archive of their ongoing activities in also available.

Tips for parents and schools on promoting tolerance

According to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP),
"Adults can help children understand the importance of treating all people with dignity and not judging groups of people for the actions of a few. Most importantly, adults must model tolerance and compassion in their words and behavior. They should also encourage children to explore their feelings about prejudice and hate. Doing so is not only critical to preventing further harm, but the process presents a potentially powerful, albeit painful, opportunity for our young people to learn and incorporate into their values the true strength of our country - our commitment to individual freedom and upholding the respect and dignity of all people. "

Read the entire Document A National Tragedy: Promoting Tolerance and Peace in ChildrenTips for Parents and Schools for specific tips for parents, teachers, and schools.

OpenKnowledge: peace studies and conflict resolution

In January 1998, Tabula Rasa Institute's Executive Director, Derek Sweetman, founded OJPCR: The Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution to address the lack of free-of-charge access to academic resources in the field of peace studies and conflict resolution.
The latest online issue offers practical accounts of peace building in Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Bulgaria, as well as philosophical explorations of peace education. Check out articulate analysis of how to create peace, because that is what OpenKnowledge wants you to do...

Abilities, Not Disabilities, Build Communities

The Project Friendship Society encourages the citizens of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, to find ways to welcome isolated people with special needs into the community through local interest groups and associations. Connections are based on those people's abilities rather than their disabilities. Such connections create opportunities for true friendships to develop, for experience to be gained and confidence built.