Welcome to World Citizen,

Jefferson and Kennedy High Schools to Celebrate Peace Site Rededication with Annual Run for Peace

On Friday, May 2, 2008, Bloomington Jefferson and Kennedy high schools will be rededicated as Peace Site schools with the 5th annual Run For Peace. Students and staff from both schools will run together as a unified group. The start and finish points alternate between the schools each year. This year, the group will start from Kennedy and finish at Jefferson. The seniors at Creekside Community Center along with Hillcrest Community School students will help pass out water and cheer for the runners as they pass by.

This has been a wonderful community event to promote peace in our city. Creekside Community Center is run by the City of Bloomington’s Human Services Department. The Bloomington Police Department has also been a wonderful partner to ensure safety at busy intersections. This year, we will also partner with Chipotle Mexican Grill. They will provide water and energy food at the goal for the runners as they complete their run at Jefferson High School. The Run For Peace has grown into a wonderful, collaborative multi-age community event to promote peace in the Bloomington community.

World Citizen Annual Celebration

By Mary Endorf

World Citizen members and guests enjoyed the World Citizen Annual Celebration on June 14, 2007 at Michael's Luthern Church in Roseville, Minnesota. Music was provided by Voice, a four member band that passes on the message of peace, hope and understanding. World Citizen president Lowell Erdahl welcomed guests and greetings were shared by World Citizen founder Lynn Elling.

The evening was an opportunity to say thank you to the many donors, volunteers, teachers, advisors, board members and staff who have supported and participated in the World Citizen programs.

The guest speaker was Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Assistant Professor of Juistice and Peace Studies at the University of St. Thomas. He shared his experiences and his research in the areas of faith, hunger, the arms race and U.S. foreign policy.

Guests also heard updates on the World Citizen Peace Education programs and our Executive Director, Kathy Millington shared a lovely reading on the importance of world peace. The paricipants in the photo include our intern Sarah Adams and her fiancee Aaron Salasek with speaker Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. Sarah and Aaron will be married in August, 2007 and will be moving to Oklahoma to coninue their graduate studies. We thank Sarah for her excellent work at World Citizen.

You are invited to attend the 2008 World Citizen Annual Celebration on June 10, 2008 in the evening at St. Michael's Luthern Church in Roseville, Minnesota.

Nine Peace Education Participants Begin Training as Facilitators

By Mary Endorf

On Tuesday, July 17th, at Black Bear Crossing in St. Paul, nine Peace Education participants completed the first step toward becoming a facilitator for World Citizen’s Peace Education Program. Lisa Boland Blake, presently the elementary education facilitator for peace ed, designed a rigorous day for the candidates.History, theory and ‘nuts and bolt’ about the peace ed program were all included.

Their next step for the candidates will be to plan and participate with a peace education workshop this fall as a part time facilitator under the supervision of Lisa Boland Blake. After they reflect and evaluate their experience, they will plan for an increased amount of involvement with a group during the spring workshop sessions.

Peace Education has expanded by about 25 - 30 people each year since its beginning five years ago. Some of these facilitators will be needed to cover the increasing numbers in our present program. Some new facilitators will be taking this peace education concept to other areas in Minnesota. Winona and Duluth were both represented at this training session.

Training more facilitators is one piece of the Peace Education expansion plan. Another piece is to pursue ways to add credibility for peace education through graduate level courses. We would also like to be able to add consulting and support services directly to school sites.

Click here to learn more about Peace Education

Peace Education Workshops

By Martha Roberts

The purpose of our Peace Education Program is the direct result of our work with teachers who identified the following as their needs as Peace Educators:

• Create professional development opportunities to network
• Exchange ideas and resources
• Build a supportive community of educators who foster a culture of peace in their classrooms and buildings

In 1999 our first session of elementary educators gathered at The Historic Streetcar Station in Como Park in St. Paul. From the ongoing evaluations and assessments, we have received a clear message that what we offer is critically needed and of value.

Who attends?

We encourage two teachers from each site to attend together. This ensures that you have someone in your teaching environment to continue the learning in between and beyond the workshops. Because we are creating an ongoing community of professionals, attendance by teachers is appreciated at all three workshops.

What happens?

These active workshops are an opportunity for you to get together with other peace educators to create connections, share ideas and learn some new ones. Workshops are structured with discussions, sharing, group work, speakers and planning time. There really is a free lunch! A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Subs Provided! Full reimbursement of up to two substitute teachers is also provided so there is no cost to you or your district.

Click here to learn more about Peace Education, upcoming workshops, and how to register

Or email Peace Ed coordinator Martha Roberts at martrobe44@aol.com for further info.