Pioneers of Peace

Pioneers of Peace is an initiative that was introduced 10 years ago to Sancroft as the first group of it’s kind in England. The training model that is followed has been developed by the Rotary Club (http://www.rotarypeaceproject.com) with the aim of training young people, through the power of words, in conflict resolution.

In a school environment these skills are even more important. With so many students in one place, the school wouldn’t function without the opportunity for pupils to discuss things freely in a peaceful environment. Peace is one of the Christian values taught at Sancroft and it is used by students throughout the school on a daily basis.The bible tells us that we should “Let the peace of Christ rule in [our] hearts, since as members of body [we] were called to peace.”(Colossians 3:15). This is clearly evident in the daily interactions in our school. When students disagree with someone, they remember that, underneath, we are all equal in the eyes of god.

Our group, Pioneers of Peace, introduces valuable skills to young people. The importance of communicating through collaborative conversation is taught. This includes listening to and respecting the opinions and views of others and understanding that people may have different views to our own but that one opinion is not more valued than another. We also learn how to speak meaningly and persuasively, be confident in what we are saying and make sure that every word is specific and with purpose. As a team, we are taught the significance of every individual, their feelings and how to react appropriately to situations.

We learn to observe body language and facial expressions as they can sometimes tell us more about emotions than a verbal explanation. Another topic we look at is diversity. We discuss the importance of being kind to everybody no matter what race, religion or sexuality they are. We believe in equality and being able to express yourself without the fear of being Judged.

In a time filled with such controversy and confusion, not just in our community but within the wider world, we feel that now, more than ever, it is incredibly important to listen to each other. The skills that we learn as Pioneers of Peace are values that we believe should be used in our society and political arena. We know that by listening to each other and following the teachings of both The Bible and Project:Peace, we can resolve these conflicts and make our world a better place.

Written by KS4 Peace Ambassadors