Peaceable Schools and Communities Summer 2008 Institute

Please join us

The 16th Annual Peaceable Schools & Communities Summer Institute

Creating Peaceable Schools and Communities:
Supporting Leadership for Hope & Justice

Sunday - Wednesday -- June 29 - July 2, 2008

Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

In the face of rising levels of institutional and interpersonal violence, creating and sustaining schools and communities that are peaceful, equitable, and just becomes ever more important, and ever more challenging. It requires a new kind of leadership-- leadership to resist despair with a vision of a positive future--leadership grounded in hope and partnership as the heart of our work –-- leadership that holds out the possibility of academic excellence and social justice for all…

This 3½ day Institute is facilitated by a Core Faculty of diverse educators and community activists working collaboratively to create a unique and transformative learning experience. The Institute supports educators [K-12], youth workers, administrators and community activists in deepening their capacity to create healthy, peaceful and just learning environment. Grounded in the values of Peaceable Schools and Communities the Institute models and offers approaches to peacemaking, inclusion, anti-oppression education, and community building.

This year's institute is a departure from past years.

For the first time, the Institute will offer different strands for newcomers to peaceable schools as well as those with past experience wanting to deepen their understanding and skills.

The design of this Institute is structured to model collaborative/shared leadership promoting presentations and reflection from participants. Interaction with Institute core faculty and sharing ideas and experiences are woven throughout the 3½ days. Participants build community at the Institute and take home tools, new networks, and inspiration to further community in their own settings.

The Institute is designed to promote reflection, personal transformation, and deepened understanding of one’s own identity and leadership while also offering opportunities to build concrete skills, learn new tools, and sharpen systemic analysis of social issues within the context of the supportive learning community that is built throughout the Institute.

Activities include:

WORKSHOPS: Small group workshops foster creative dialogue.  Workshop topics explore different facets of leadership, peacebuilding and social justice work in schools and communities.  A sampling of previous Institute workshops include:

• "Teaching the Language of Love While Educating for Peace"
• "Gang Violence Prevention/Intervention: A Cross Cultural Perspective"
• "Sharing Power with Students: Community Serving Projects as a way to Promote a Peaceful Community"
• "Appreciative Inquiry: A tool for planning and hope"
• "Running Dynamic Meetings" "Restorative Justice" and
• "Friendship and Collegiality: A Cross–race Dialogue"

KEYNOTES AND DIALOGUE: Small group learning is complemented with dynamic and engaging keynotes by Core Faculty members designed to spark dialogue and engage participants in critical reflection. Topics include:

• "Diversity and Inclusion"
• "Roots of Violence/Roots of Justice"
• "Transformative Leadership" and
• "Hope in Practice"

APPLICATION, REFLECTION, AND CONNECTION (ARC) GROUPS: Facilitated by Core Faculty, daily ARC group meetings offer a consistent, small community for reflection and dialogue. This year we will also offer opportunities especially for people who have attended the Institute before and for experienced leaders who want to explore issues at a deeper level, as well as for people who are newer to the work of peacemaking within educational contexts.

COMMUNITY CIRCLE: Each morning, Community Circle provides an opportunity for participants to share stories, traditions, and practices of peace-building, equity, and excellence. This has included in the past song, dance, poetry readings, or interpretive performances.

OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY: Open Space is a powerful process that offers participants the opportunity to organize discussion groups about topics about which they care most deeply with others who share their passions and curiosities.

The Institute is also offered as a three-credit graduate course which can be found in the Summer SOE listings as EEDUC 6810.30, Peaceable Schools

Scholarships and early registration discount available. For information or to register,

"I loved it. I was invigorated and inspired. Thanks for your hearts and minds."
(Participant in the 2007 Summer Institute)

For more information about the Summer Institute,  please contact:

Heather Olson, holson2@lesley.edu or 617-349-8924
Center for Children, Families and Public Policy
Lesley University