Based on the impact and success of their ongoing Cultivating Peace educational initiative, the non-profit association Classroom Connections was presented with the National Peace Education Award by the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace at their Annual Conference on Peace Education in Canada in late November 2003.

Classroom Connections is dedicated to supporting public education through the creation and distribution of innovative and socially significant classroom resources in areas, such as peace education, typically not addressed in texts and course outlines. Materials are distributed to schools and community organizations across Canada. In the interests of equity, all resources are free.

Responding to both global events and the increase in violence within the schools, the Cultivating Peace initiative creates classroom-ready resources to help teachers and community leaders deal directly with issues such as bullying, racism and terrorism while meeting the objectives of provincial curriculum. Activities encourage students to recognize their own personal responsibility in creating change and emphasize the practise of skills such as compromise, negotiation and conflict resolution. Ultimately, the resources engage children and youth in the search for a culture of peace in their homes, schools, neighbourhoods and global community.

The first educational resource, Cultivating Peace in the 21st Century, was delivered to 85% of secondary schools across Canada in September of 2002. Response to the document was overwhelming and requests - from schools, community agencies, NGOs, universities and international organizations - continue to flood the Classroom Connections’ office. The second resource in the series, Cultivating Peace – Taking Action is in the production phase and will be distributed to schools and community organizations across Canada in the spring of 2004.

This is the fourth year for the Annual Canadian Peace Awards, which celebrate peace achievements in government, business, youth, civil society and other categories. Winners receive a small hand-carved version of an engraved, soapstone ‘Inukshuk’ - Inuit human-like stone figures that serve as guides to point out the path for a safe journey – to serve as a fitting Canadian symbol for the path we must tread in seeking peace.

For more information about Classroom Connections and the Cultivating Peace initiative, or to download free copies of the resources, visit:

www.classroomconnections.ca and www.cultivatingpeace.ca

For media information or visuals, please contact:
Deanne Bogdanovich (416) 466-4201
dbogdanovich@classroomconnections.ca

To learn more about the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace and the Peace Awards, visit: www.peace.ca