The Institute for Economics and Peace "Building Blocks of Peace"

The Institute for Economics and Peace is proud to announce the "Building Blocks of Peace" a series of downloadable teaching materials that offer a fresh perspective to the issues surrounding global peace.

The materials are available free of charge at www.economicsandpeace.org - they will be under embargo until 2 June as they feature the 2009 Global Peace Index.

Unlike traditional peace education materials, these modules go beyond conflict resolution to explore the broader meaning of global peace and its impact on our daily lives. By working through each module and the extensive supporting information provided, students will learn how to define peace for themselves and gain an understanding of the key factors that encourage peaceful society.

"Building Blocks of Peace" is composed of four thematic modules:

* “An Understanding of Peace” explores the factors that influence a country’s peacefulness and why peace is more than simply the absence of war.
* “Peace and Sustainability” helps students develop an understanding of the impact of peace on global sustainability, with a focus on water access and management.
* “Education and Peace” investigates the fundamental role of education in supporting a country’s peacefulness.
* And, “The Peace Industry” examines the benefits of peace to business and the economy drawing on examples from the tourism and retail industries.

Available as separate modules or a combined curriculum, these comprehensive teaching aids will guide students to understand global peace and discover their own solutions to violence and conflict.

These education modules are not restricted to any single curriculum area. Schools can easily customize activities to meet their unique needs and teachers have complete flexibility to offer learning within a range of subjects, or through special projects and theme days.

The Building Blocks of Peace have already received positive reviews from teachers and peace education proponents. As the materials were being finalized, they were featured in social studies professional development seminars for the innovative and hands-on approach to teaching peace.

Mrs. Harriet Fulbright, President of The Fulbright Center praised the Building Blocks of Peace: “I believe, as did Senator Fulbright, that an informed and culturally aware citizenry will choose peace. Their education about peace must be more comprehensive than merely studying war and conflict resolution. Peace is a complex goal that deserves the engagement of every student. The Institute for Economics and Peace has built these excellent education materials so students and teachers can engage in a detailed examination of peace and help move us toward the achievable goal of a more peaceful world.”