Peace Education in Action: A Year of Growth and Transformation

 

Melbourne, Australia – 2024 has been a landmark year for the HWPL Peace Education initiative, with programs successfully implemented across three schools in Victoria—two secondary schools in Melbourne’s west and a primary school in the southeast suburbs. A total of 135 students from Year 5 to Year 9 have successfully completed HWPL Victoria’s Peace Education workshops.

Each school demonstrated a strong eagerness to engage with the HWPL Peace Education materials, aiming to foster leadership, intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, social cohesion, civics, and citizenship among the students.

 

 

The southeast primary school ran a five-week program from October to November, covering topics such as “My Value and Value in Others,” “Role and Duty,” “Greed,” “Law and Order,” and ending with a recap and celebration. Each session blended lectures with engaging activities, ranging from sports-inspired games to teamwork-based puzzles. Students were highly receptive, and the teachers praised the program for reinforcing core school values.

The principal noted, “This program is exactly what our school needs. It implements in a practical way everything we have been trying to teach.” A Year 5 teacher added, “The activities were invaluable, especially the playground exercise where students balanced a ball together—it was a practical lesson in teamwork. These lessons are essential life skills that go beyond academics.”

 

 

In Melbourne’s western suburbs, a secondary school identified three high-risk classes from Years 7, 8, and 9 for an eight-week program running from September to November. The topics included “My Value and Value in Others,” “Role and Duty,” “Respect and Altruism,” “Law and Order,” “Greed,” “Gratitude and Consideration,” “Principles and Values,” and a final session for reflection and celebration. Initially, the program faced challenges, such as a lack of respect between students and teachers and low self-esteem among participants. However, with consistent mentoring and engaging activities, students began to embrace the program.

One teacher observed, “Initially, the students were resistant and disruptive, but as the program progressed, they became more engaged. Students who were once hostile now thank me at the end of class. I’ve already recommended this program for next year and would love to train as a peace educator myself.” The program concluded with a celebration, leaving a lasting impression on both students and educators.

 

 

The second middle school in Melbourne’s west focused on a group of Pasifika students from Years 7 to 9. Beginning in October and continuing into December, the program addressed cultural and classroom engagement challenges. Through lectures and sports-based activities, students explored their personal value, the value of others, and the roles and duties within their school community. The program has shown promising outcomes, helping students bridge cultural divides and build respect for their educators.

In total, HWPL Peace Education programs reached eight schools across Victoria and the Northern Territory in 2024. Teachers have expressed interest in incorporating the program into their own curricula and advocated for its inclusion in the Department of Education’s framework. As we close the year, we celebrate the achievements and look forward to expanding this transformative program in 2025.