Benefits of Peace Mala Accreditation for schools, youth and community groups
Peace Mala is a unique, multi award winning educational project which provides a complete, effective and innovative answer to all the requirements of the Government's ESDGC directive (Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship).
The photograph here shows Hafod Primary School, Swansea receiving their Peace Mala Accreditation Certificate from Huw Lewis AM, then Minister for Education and Skills with the Welsh Government.
Peace Mala Accreditation benefits children, young people and the whole community
Peace Mala Accreditation is not an 'add on' extra-curricular activity. It can be delivered through the existing curriculum involving change in emphasis rather than new work.
Peace Mala Accreditation is a cost effective initiative which provides teachers and leaders of youth and community groups with the keys to educate and equip children and young people with necessary life skills through engaging in cross-curricular activities focusing on seven separate but related areas.
- Community cohesion and global citizenship: using the Golden Rule, "Treat others as you would wish them to treat you", as a focus to encourage positive relations between young people, their plural community and international cultures.
- Needs and human rights: emphasising to young people their rights and those of others, and how these rights prevent bullying and all forms of prejudice.
- Interdependence: stressing that how we behave in life affects everyone we meet and how an awareness of this can help create a better world.
- Active compassion: advocating that learners will make wholesome changes locally and globally, and become positive example to their peers.
- Celebrating diversity: creative, innovative celebrations which include the involvement of local cultural communities, such as faith and ethnic groups.
- Environmental responsibilities and sustainable change: promoting environmental sustainability, healthy eating, and respect for all animals and wildlife.
- Conflict resolution and peace education: engaging learners in peace focused-activities which encourage conflict resolution.
We have a PowerPoint Presentation explaining the benefits of Peace Mala Accreditation available from our DropBox account here.
You can download our Accreditation Criteria Documentation here in both English and Welsh
Woodheys Primary School Cheshire
Penllergaer Primary School, Swansea opening their Peace Garden
The work of Peace Mala is not a luxury or a decoration. It is about transforming the lives of children so that they become useful and important members of society. In this way they will reach out to their brothers and sisters all over the world in love and affection - the foundation for true world citizenship.
By engaging the minds of children and young people with Peace Mala educational activities at 'grass roots' level, we have great hope of helping to create a more responsible, caring and compassionate society. Education is the key to bringing about positive changes in behaviour and attitudes. Peace Mala is a powerful and effective educational tool which helps make this happen.
Many schools and groups are already engaging with initiatives that fit with our accreditation guidelines and have found that Peace Mala involvement enhances their efforts.
A growing number of schools across the UK are achieving Peace Mala Accreditation
Here is an interview Pam Evans gave to the Good Evening Wales programme on the importance of good religious education in schools.
Comments we have received about Peace Mala Accreditation
Headteacher Hafod Primary School Swansea Wales UK
Our school is a multicultural haven for the children of Hafod where we celebrate our differences and live in harmony. Peace Mala is central to what we do. The project work that we have undertaken with Peace Mala has made a huge difference to our pupils, staff and parents. Relationships between staff and parents have improved and this has made an impact on the community. Children understand and display tolerance, respect, kindness, understanding, friendship, hope, honesty, peace and unity. Everyone feels included.
Penllergaer Primary School Swansea Wales UK
Our Peace Mala journey is a whole school one. Penllergaer Primary shares the spirit and message of Peace Mala. One of our aims is to create a safe and stimulating environment where all our children feel included and valued and learn respect and tolerance for other people. Peace Mala has given us an avenue to engage with others. Support from the community and various groups have enriched our children's experiences.
Being a Peace Mala School is a reflection of what we are about and allows us to share common ideals and principles. Our children are our future. If they are instilled with sound values and equipped with the skills needed for lifelong learning, then we hope they will continue the journey for us.
Headteacher Woodheys Primary School Cheshire England UK
From the moment I laid eyes upon the Peace Mala bracelet, I knew that this was something very special, the missing link in education, the 'glue' that would bring together everything that we, as educators of tomorrow's global citizens are striving for.
Being a Peace Mala School has transformed our lives and provided amazing opportunities for our pupils, including participation in October 2010 in the Peace Mala Festival of Interfaith and Culture for Education at Gorton Monastery on the Feast of St Francis on behalf of Greater Manchester Schools.
Head of Alma Park Primary School Manchester England UK
The aims of Peace Mala fit exactly with the school ethos where children and staff work hard to treat one another with respect, where we celebrate festivals from different cultures and religions and encourage tolerance and appreciation of what each of us has to offer.
Peace Mala has been an excellent focus for our work on bullying, prejudice and the environment and for our international school links.
Headteacher of Catwg Primary School Neath Port Talbot Wales UK
At Catwg we are incredibly proud of our inclusive ethos and feel that the Peace Mala message fits perfectly with the work we do in school promoting peace, friendship and respect in celebrating diversity.
Estyn recognised this work by commenting, "Nearly all pupils demonstrate the moto of 'treat others as you would want to be treated' by showing the utmost respect for each other and all adults." Similarly, "Relationships between staff and pupils, and between each other, are exceptional."
The Peace Mala message is simple - we are part of a world community where everyone is unique and special. We all deserve to be treated with respect and to live in peace. We are proud to hold the highest award for Peace Mala, and looking forward to continuing our Peace Mala journey and sharing its message to help build a better world.
Upon visiting Woodheys she had this to say about Peace Mala
This project is a key element in supporting the interfaith dialogue for peace ... it is well timed given the current rise in terrorism in the name of religion. All faiths focus on the importance of caring for all living things and working towards a peaceful society where all beliefs are recognised and accepted. The Peace Mala Project reflects these principles and these same principles underpin all of our work in schools in developing young citizens of tomorrow.
Peace Mala is truly a force for good in our world, and it is much needed in our schools – whether it be in the U.S, or overseas.Every child can benefit from learning about active compassion, understanding, respect, peace and friendship.If we are to build a better world, the message of peace must sound the strongest among our children, because they truly are our future. Peace Mala provides schools and centres of education with a foundation to instill values of compassion. Peace Mala is greatly needed in our world right now.
The school's work related to 'Peace Mala' has done much to encourage pupils to treat others with respect, to be tolerant, celebrate diversity and understand differences between religions and cultures. It has also been used to promote British values as a crucial part of the school's values. Subsequently the school's work fostering good relationships and tackling discrimination is high.
As a result of links forged through the school's Peace Mala project, pupils develop excellent understanding of local, national and global communities.
The highly regarded Peace Mala project demonstrates and cements the respect and tolerance which permeate this multi-faith and culturally diverse school community. Peace Mala rainbow bead bracelets are visible evidence of pupils' knowledge of a wide range of world religions. They are worn with pride by Junior Peace Mala Ambassadors who support positive play and friendship. Excellent relationships between all groups highlight how tolerance and shared values unite the community.
Pennaeth/Head Ysgol Gymraeg Tan-y-lan
Mae disgyblion a staff Ysgol Gymraeg Tan-y-lan wedi gweddu cymaint i fod yn rhan o brosiect Peace Mala. Mae neges heddwch a'n hethos cynhwysol fel ysgol yn mynd law yn llaw â'n cwricwlwm pwrpasol ac wedi rhoi'r cyfleoedd i ni gydblethu gweithgareddau/gwersi sydd wedi llwyddo i agor drysau i fyd gwell a chymuned gryfach.
Fel aelodau o deulu Peace Mala, rydym wedi cael y cyfle i weithio gyda rhai unigolion anhygoel sydd wedi ein cefnogi ar ein taith ac wedi dod yn ffrindiau i ni gyd yn yr ysgol. Bydd ein hymrwymiad i'r prosiect yn caniatáu i gymuned ein hysgol dyfu a rhoi'r offer sydd eu hangen ar ein myfyrwyr i adeiladu dyfodol gwell a chynhwysol. Rydw i wir yn credu y dylai Peace Mala fod yn rhan o fywyd bob dydd ym mhob ysgol.
The pupils and staff at Ysgol Gymraeg Tan-y-lan have benefitted so much from being part of the Peace Mala project. The message of peace and our inclusive ethos as a school goes hand in hand with our bespoke curriculum and has given us the opportunities to intertwine activities/lessons that have successfully opening doors to a better world and a stronger community.
As members of the Peace Mala family, we have had the opportunity to work with some amazing individuals who have supported us on our journey and have become friends to us all at the school. Our commitment to the project will allow our school community to grow and to give our students the tools they need to build a better and inclusive future. I genuinely believe that Peace Mala should be part of day to day life in every school.
