Peace Education Program
Research & Evidence
Explore the impact of the program
Studies & Endorsements
Explore some of the studies and endorsements describing the positive impact the Peace Education Program is having on the lives of participants from various sectors and locations.
Impact Studies
“Promoting Durable Well-Being Among Healthcare Professionals at Johns Hopkins via an Interactive, Online, Wellness Initiative”
Published by the peer-reviewed Journal of Education and Health Promotion in June 2024, this independent study “sought to evaluate the utility of the Peace Education Program in improving wellness among healthcare professionals” at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The research “provides evidence supporting the positive impact of the program upon fostering inner strength, understanding, hope, choice, and peace among participants, as corroborated by significant improvement in pre- and post-course scores within these domains.”
Read the Full Article Published by the Journal of Education and Health Promotion
• “Our findings demonstrate improved wellness in participants following peace education course completion. This free, interactive, online course may be utilized at other medical centers to improve wellness.”
• “All survey respondents affirmatively answered the questions ‘Has the Peace Education Program helped you in your life?’ and ‘Would you invite someone else to attend a future Peace Education Program?’
• “The study provides evidence supporting the positive impact of the program upon fostering inner strength, understanding, hope, choice, and peace…”
“Inner Peace: Evaluating a Complementary Program Promoting Intra-Personal Peace at Adelaide Women’s Prison, Australia”
Read the Full Article Published by the Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
• “The results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis reveal that participants gained better insight into inner peace, and that it led to greater self-regulation and better anger-management skills.”
• “The program thus appears to have provided the women with an empowering alternative to a stigmatized criminal identity and pessimistic feelings of powerlessness in their challenging circumstances.”
“Impact of the Peace Education Program in Brazilian Correctional Facilities ”
In October 2022, a study on the “Impact of the Peace Education Program in Brazilian Correctional Facilities” found “that the Peace Education Program is making a very positive impact on almost all incarcerated peoples’ lives.” With a total sample of 5,276 incarcerated individuals, the study notes that “the quantitative findings are extremely robust.” 99.7% said that the program had helped them with benefits including reduced anxiety, improved self-understanding and better appreciation for the value of life.
Read the Summary with Key Takeways
- 99.7% of participants said the program had helped them in their lives.
- 96% said they are likely to recommend the program to others.
- Benefits included reduced anxiety, better self-understanding, self-improvement, enhanced appreciation for life and hope.
“Evaluation of the Peace Education Program for Schools”
Read the Summary with Key Takeways
- 100% of participating students reported that “the program helped them in their lives” and 82% said they would recommend the program to others.
- Teachers reported that the program “complemented other learning activities, improved academic performance, student attitudes and self-awareness.”
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Overview
Introduction to the Peace Education Program
Impact Stories & Videos
See what people say about the course
Course Content
See course descriptions and sample materials (video & workbook)
FAQ
Find answers to your questions about the program
“Assessment of Peace Education Program in Correctional Facilities Across Four Continents”
In April 2020, Donald Sheppard from ACE Insights, New Zealand, completed an Impact Assessment of the Peace Education Program, facilitated in correctional facilities across four continents and in seven countries. The study found that the program is “having a very positive effect on participants,” resulting in attitudinal improvements such as empowerment and a willingness to change, and behavioral improvements such as better anger management and reduced fighting.
Read the Summary with Key Takeways
• 89% of participants showed improvement.
• Attitudinal improvements included empowerment, facing past events & willingness to change.
• Behavorial improvements included managing anger and avoiding fighting.
“Impact Evaluation of the Peace Education Program
on Students of the Unihorizonte University Foundation of Bogotá, Colombia”
In 2021, the Unihorizonte University Foundation of Bogotá, Colombia, completed an impact evaluation of the Peace Education Program on students, finding that the program helped nearly all of them recognize and be more aware of their internal resources as valuable tools for their lives. Attitudinal changes included enhanced appreciation for life; behavioral changes included empowerment to make changes in one’s own life and in relating to others.
Read the Summary with Key Takeaways
• Awareness of internal resources, including peace, appreciation, choice and hope, increased from 55% to 97%.
• Changes included enhanced appreciation for life; understanding the possibility and importance of feeling peace; empowerment to make changes in life.
“Johannesburg Department of Social Development Evaluates Peace Education Program for Homeless”
Read the Summary with Key Takeaways
• 95% of participants reported benefits including enhanced self-awareness, tolerance, love, inner peace, contentment and self-reliance.
• The study concludes that the program can be a valuable tool in advancing tolerance and peaceful co-existence throughout South Africa and recommends making it available throughout all sections of society, especially in the public school system.
“The Impact of the Peace Education Program in Diverse Settings Around the World”
Read the Summary with Key Takeways
• Before the program less than 42% believed that feeling peace was possible. After the program, almost 100% felt that it was.
• Awareness of inner strength as a personal resource rose from 56% to 98%.
Endorsements
Click on the title links below to read endorsement letters related to the Peace Education Program in various sectors and locations.
Education
Executive Director; Correctional Education Association, USA
“I recommend this program to you as an effective means to help increase the harmony within individuals and the community in which you serve.”
Government of Atlantico; Barranquilla, Colombia
“The Peace Education Program … led to a transformation in the behavior and attitude of the students.”
CMR Institute of Technology; Bangalore, India
“We loved the learning sessions and look forward to applying them to our personal and professional lives.”
Corrections
Deputy Superintendent for Program Services; Correctional and Community Supervision; New York State, USA
“Inmates frequently describe the Peace Education Program as one of the best programs available. They look forward to attending the program and talking about the ways they utilize the tools provided in all aspects of daily life. ”
Domestic Violence Intervention Court, Summit County, Ohio, USA
“The support this Program continues to provide our staff is immeasurable.”
Ministry of Justice, Department of the Penitentiary Administration; Venice, Italy
“The course was deeply appreciated by the participating inmates and it was followed by them with keen interest.”
Office of the Senior Warden; Texas Department of Criminal Justice; San Antonio, Texas, USA
“The successful teaching patterns of this program provided by these volunteers helps benefit the attitudes of offenders, assist in curving their aggression and helps them in making decisions.”
Division of Rehabilitative Services; Department of Corrections; State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; Cranston, Rhode Island
“The program has helped them cope with prison life and have a more positive outlook on life in general.”
Correctional Facility Klagenfurt; Klagenfurt, Austria
“I can recommend the Peace Education Program with great pleasure to other correctional facilities and institutions which take an interest in the wellbeing of humans.”
Office of the Sheriff; Inmate Program Services; Buncombe County Detention Facility; Asheville, North Carolina
“The perfect place to plant a seed of hope and change is in a correctional facility.”
Office of the Sheriff; Hall of Justice; County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles, California, USA
“We will continue to work with the Peace Education Program to coordinate access to LASD inmates for participation in this positively impactful program.”
Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Correctional Institutions Division; San Antonio, Texas, USA
“The behavior of those who attend the program has noticeably improved.”
Zonderwater Management Area: Gauteng Region; Correctional Services Department of the Republic of South Africa
“This programme has enlightened and empowered a lot of offenders to have peace within them and it also taught them to forgive other people. Some of them before the inception of the programme were always having conflict and anger within. After they attended the programme, they started to have peace.”
Georgia Department of Corrections; Atlanta Transitional Center; Atlanta, Georgia, USA
“I have personally observed the growth and inner peace residents have by completing this program.”
Community
The Delores Project; Shelter and Services for Homeless Women; Denver, Colorado, USA
“Several of the individuals have stated that they feel so much better after attending Peace Education classes.”
Cancer Support Community; Westlake Village, California, USA
“From the comments we have received from the attendees of these workshops, it is clear that the PEP workshops are enjoyable and would be beneficial to anyone interested.”
Fairway Branch Library; Sun City, Arizona, USA
“I was fortunate to attend many of the workshops and came away with tools that I believe will help me to tap that resource of inner peace that I know is there and within reach.”
National Organization of Spanish Blind People (ONCE); Regional Office; Navarre, Spain
“We would like to encourage all types of associations and organizations to implement this novel program that we consider beneficial for its participants.”
What People Say
Education & Academia
Education & Academia Viggo Kaern, Head of Innovation, Technical University of Denmark
"We are doing very well in education and also with our research, but when it comes to taking care of the student, we are not so good. I think the Peace Education Program is important because we have to focus on the students' wellbeing."
Saw Kai Xuan, Taylor's University Student, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
“Prem Rawat reminds us that we are human beings. Being alive is something very special, and it is the most valuable gift. The peace is within us all the time. We have the power to make decisions and gain clarity.”
Alexandra Humpire Huaman, Former Student at Uriel García School, Cusco, Peru
“The most important thing that I have learned and appreciated in this Peace Education Program was to respect myself."
Educator, India:
The Program is an “antidote to the pressure to attain fame, qualifications and wealth.”
Health Care & Rehabilitation
Tamara Pizarro, Nurse, Supervisor of Maternal and Child Ward, Cáceres, Spain
If you don't help yourself, if you don't know yourself, you can't help. Healthcare is a practice that is linked to a person, to another person, in their most fragile moments. I think this course is necessary for health workers."
Dezrita, Client, Tag Restorative Center, Johannesburg, South Africa
“This is my third rehab. No rehab has been like this rehab. And I think that's because of the Peace Education Program.”
Client and Program Participant, Empilweni Treatment Centre, Soweto, South Africa
“I left home because of my drug addiction and not getting along with my parents, so I chose to go and live on the streets, yet when I was on the streets, I blamed my parents for pushing me to leave. But once I attended this Program, I realized that I made the choice – not my addiction or my circumstances. So, I’m thankful to the Peace Education Program for showing me that I have the power of choice and that I need to prioritize myself.”
Corrections
Major Aris Williamere A. Villaester, Ph.D, Warden, Lipa City Jail Male Dormitory, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines
“I see peace education as a game-changer for our correctional facility. It is not just a program but it is also about building bridges. By understanding each other better, we can create a more humane environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This is a great first step towards real rehabilitation.”
Judge Kathryn Michael, Presiding Judge, Domestic Violence Intervention Court of Summit County, Ohio
“Our participants are not coming to us as peaceful folks. They are in conflict and have been through a lot. For us to help them find the peace inside of them is a great anchor for the future. It puts everything else in perspective."
Program Participant, Corrections, Sao Paulo, Brazil
The Peace Education Program helped me realize that I cannot end wars and promote world peace; but still, I can live and feel peace in myself. I can teach my children that they can feel inner peace, be well with themselves and respect others.”
Conflict & Community Healing
Rachidi Adam, Peace Education Program facilitator
“In this community, we really have enormous difficulties caused by the conflict between farmers and herders... They were in the same room, but suspicious of one another. After the first workshop, we started to feel the tension ease between them."
Program Participant in Colombia
“We learn that there is another way to live in this world, that there are alternatives. Because hate, resentment and revenge cannot overcome the desire to live in peace and tranquility.”
Veterans, Police & First Responders
Jesus Daniel Quevedo, Police Officer in Quintana Roo, Mexico
“I've come to understand that in order to seek peace, I have to find it in myself. I think that we as police officers have to be prepared and demonstrate that to society. So I believe that the Peace Education Program, in addition to a culture of peace, is essential, both for police officers and for civilians.”
Participant from Ikitlokomeleng Senior Citizen Center in Diepkloof, Johannesburg
As an old man, I would never have thought peace was something that I can have, let alone that it’s something in me [...] I’m now on a journey to find and get to know myself again. I have experienced the peace inside of me.”
Bridget Mavuso, Constable, Tembisa, South Africa
“Before attending the Peace Education Program, I made most of my adult decisions from survival mode. Now I know that I am alive, and it’s a gift for thriving. I hope there will be many more opportunities for the Program within my department.”
Participate
Signup and experience the program for yourself
Offer
Help make the program available to others
Overview
Introduction to the Peace Education Program
Impact Stories & Videos
See what people say about the course
Course Content
See course descriptions and sample materials (video & workbook)
FAQ
Find answers to your questions about the program
To participate in this powerful program or offer it in your community, start by contacting a support
representative at [email protected]
