About

This Peacebuilding Toolkit for Educators is designed to support the work of educators as peacebuilders. It is a resource developed by and for educators, to enable you to introduce peacebuilding themes and skills into the classroom. (Download the Toolkit Brochure - PDF, 2.84 MB)

The Peacebuilding Toolkit for Educators can help develop students’ understanding of, and interest in, global peacebuilding, and develop their skills and capacities to act as peacebuilders. It can help teachers develop their own understanding of key concepts and skills, and enhance their capacity to teach about global peacebuilding themes and issues.

There are two volumes of the toolkit––one for middle school and one for high school. The content of the toolkit can stand alone, but is enhanced by reference to the range of other resources available on this website. The toolkit can be downloaded in its entirety, in sections or as individual lessons. 

The Peacebuilding Toolkit for Educators supports educational standards established by the Common Core: see how the Toolkit curriculum aligns with Common Core Standards.

Toolkit Themes

This toolkit is organized around basic themes within the field of international conflict management.

• Theme 1: Conflict is an inherent part of the human condition.
  Conflict is natural and is a normal part of everyday life. What makes a democratic society successful is its ability to deal with conflict, to allow and manage disagreement and dissent among people.
• Theme 2: Violent conflict can be prevented. 
  Conflict becomes problematic when it escalates to violence. But violent conflict can be prevented. We can teach our students to assert their opinion while being respectful and open to the ideas others; to listen with care and attentiveness; to act responsibly when faced with conflict. Conflict need not cross the line to violence. Whether on a personal or an international level, peace is possible when parties in conflict with one another use peacebuilding tools to manage their disagreement.
• Theme 3: There are many ways to be a peacebuilder.
  Peacebuilding is based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes that can be learned. As such, everyone can be a peacebuilder. There are many roles involved and young people can make important contributions to building peace in today’s world.

Access the Toolkit

Go to the Middle School Edition (English)

• In Spanish
• In French
• In Arabic

Go to the High School Edition (English)

• In Spanish
• In French
• In Arabic

Support for the Toolkit

The United States Institute of Peace would like to thank the Verizon Foundation for their generous support.

Funding has also been provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Feedback

As we are always working to provide you with the highest quality resources, we welcome any feedback you have on this document. Please complete our Toolkit Feedback Form or email us at buildingpeace@usip.org.

Learn more about USIP’s resources for students and educators.