Posted on Aug 10, 2021
 

WHAT IS YOUTH AND PEACE IN ACTION?

One year ago, Rotary Zones 33 & 34 introduced a vision for Youth & Peace in Action (YPA) - the largest local peacebuilding initiative in the history of Rotary International. 

Twenty-two Districts across the Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern USA and the Caribbean jumped in with support. 

On April 7th, 2021, Rotary International Director Peter Kyle publicly announced a collaborative commitment of US $500,000 to promote peace education, training and project mentoring for high school students, teachers and service club members. 

The YPA initiative has received a thumbs up from the Rotary Action Group for Peace, representatives of the Institute for Economics & Peace, and the Alliance for Peacebuilding.
 
For the 2021-22 academic year, high schools and youth service clubs/organizations will be accepted into Youth & Peace in Action (YPA) – at no cost – thanks to support from Rotary Zones 33 & 34. 

YPA includes online, virtual and in-person content and experiences that cover My Peacebuilder Foundations, Leading Peacebuilding Teams and Peace Projects in Action powered by NewGen Peacebuilders. 
 
The new Rotary year has started, and the 2021-22 school year will soon begin. 
 
Now’s the time to get updated and spread the word!
 

ZONES 33 & 34 SPECIAL BRIEFING & UPDATE

 
In case you missed it or just want to see it again, have a look at the recording of the special briefing and update on YPA by RI Director Peter Kyle held on 29th July 2021.
 

ENGAGING YOUNG COMMUNITY PEACEBUILDERS

On September 21, 2021 - the International Day of Peace - the largest local youth peace education initiative, ever, kicks off with high schools and youth service clubs/organizations in states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern US; Washington, DC; and the Caribbean.
 

THE “YPA” EXPERIENCE

 

WHAT’S LEARNED?

In 2021-22, the YPA content includes three distinct experiential learning opportunities that follow the September 21 International Day of Peace kick off:
 
 
1) My Peacebuilder Foundations is the core online, interactive content that students complete in sequential modules (Hello and Hope, Harm, Healing, Heart, Head and Hands). The self-paced content can be completed in approximately 20 hours and result in understanding of fundamental drivers of conflict and peace. The ability to frame problems and develop project ideas through frameworks such as Galtung’s Triangle of Violence, Conflict Trees, the IEP Eight Pillars of Peace, and UNLEASH Innovation Process are key aspects of this interactive course. This online experience draws on eight years of live and virtual workshops tested and evaluated through NewGen Peacebuilders.
 
 
2) Leading Peacebuilding Teams is an opportunity for which students certified in My Peacebuilder Foundations can apply. This learning combines an online introduction with facilitated virtual or in-person training that equips small groups of student leaders and mentors to prototype and test peace project ideas. Before this phase, teachers, club advisors and community volunteers have access to online training for mentors.
 
 
3) With innovative solutions in mind, students and mentors certified through Leading Peacebuilding Teams guide larger groups of students through a process of Peace Projects in Action that address issues affecting a community or communities.
 
Each of the three learning opportunities result in a certification and young people who are equipped to build bridges for the rest of their lives.
 

ALL ABOARD THE PEACE TRAIN - GET INVOLVED

SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Principals or other designated staff can apply to bring YPA to their high schools for the 2021-22 academic year. Apply below. Final acceptance deadline for high schools and youth service clubs / orgs. is Sept. 10, 2021.
Click here to apply

SERVICE CLUBS / ORGS 
Advisors to youth service clubs / orgs. in high schools in the community can apply to YPA. This may include Interact Clubs, Student Government Associations, Boys & Girls Clubs, and more. 
Click here to apply

ROTARIANS & ROTARY CLUBS
YPA is available at no cost thanks to support from Rotary Zones 33 & 34. Rotarians can help spread the word through Interact Clubs and other high school or service club connections.
For a communications packet, email info@youthpeaceaction.org
 
FINAL ACCEPTANCE DEADLINE: SEPT. 10, 2021
 
Applications on behalf of high schools and youth service clubs/orgs. are currently being accepted for the 2021-22 school year. For accepted applicants, there is no cost to participate.
 
Register HERE for one of the YPA information sessions currently held every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. of each week, 5pm-6pm EDT.
 
For more information and to stay updated: