First Peace Education Launched by HWPL Victoria in Central Australia
Melbourne, 10th June 2024 - The first peace education session in school was run at the Centralian Middle School and Yirara College, Alice Springs. The workshop was hosted by HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) Victoria, in collaboration with Reclink Australia and Acts of Random Kindness Victoria (ARK-VIC). These workshops, derived from HWPL's Peace Education Curriculum, addressed mental and physical health, confidence building, teamwork, and future career aspirations to empower the students in Alice Springs into future leaders. Alice Springs has faced challenges with youth disengagement in recent years, and these workshops aimed to empower young people.
Dr. Eangano Singehebhuye, founder of Acts of Random Kindness Victoria, speaking on the importance of understanding our value, influence and role (Peace Education Lesson 2)
The series of workshops held at the two schools seamlessly integrated sports with physical wellness and mental health education to address low self-esteem among young people, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The workshops utilised HWPL Peace Education Curriculum's Book Two, "My Value, My Influence and Role," emphasising the intrinsic value of each individual and cultivating respect for others. It focuses on how self-esteem is a significant barrier to youth potential.
Activities included warm-ups and drills with AFL footballs and basketballs, interspersed with reflective questions and messages promoting positive self-image and teamwork. These sessions aimed to inspire self-determination in students' future career paths despite any adversities faced. Evaluations completed by students before and after the workshops highlighted changes in confidence and self-esteem, underscoring the importance of recognising and investing in one's own value. Reclink also donated sporting equipment, including basketballs and tennis balls, as a parting gesture, leaving smiles all around.
“We have done similar programs for mental health and reflection but it was theory based. They prefer movement and real life reflection rather than writing, so how it was done today tied with sport was great” - Teacher from Centralian Middle School
“This kind of workshop should be a part of Reclink. We usually focus on the sport aspect, but combining sport and mental health education gives it that impactful edge that can really make a difference” - Hayden Legro, Reclink Patreon and life member.
Reclink had previously ran sports and health based initiatives, but is now making a return in its efforts to serve the Northern Territory communities, led with their experienced State Manager, Lucinda Moody. Supporting the Alice Springs team coming from Melbourne was Peter Cullen, AM, Reclink Founder and former CEO, Mark Anthony, HWPL Peace Education Director, two HWPL education volunteers and Dr. Jonasi Eangano Singhebuye, ARK-VIC CEO. By combining their fields of sports, health and education expertise, the organisations prepared a multifaceted and impactful approach to address the areas of assistance found in Alice Springs.
Peter Cullen AM who also participated in the workshop at Yirara College, gave his thoughts about the lack of confidence found from the students, “I've got a feeling it's a cultural barrier tied to shame, which makes it difficult to embrace these ideas. As a kid, I read a book about suffering, and celebrating yourself as a unique individual, and I know what it's like. We need to provide them with a foundation and remind them, nobody has the same fingerprints, nobody has the same gifts as you, and to celebrate that specialness. This will flow into community contributions as well.”
A total of 47 students from year 7-8 Physical Education in Centralian Middle School participated in
HWPL Peace Education Workshop in Sports
The Peace Education Curriculum, developed by HWPL alongside an international board of acclaimed teachers, has the potential to change the character of both the youth and adults. The curriculum addresses the individual’s value toward themselves, how to have an understanding of people’s differences, and becoming a cohesive member of a community. These are key strategies in forming a socially cohesive society.
So far, HWPL Victoria Peace Education team has achieved a number of accolades, including MOUs and workshops with VicWISE, Advocacy for Oromia, SUDD Foundation, Chin Myanmar Community Care, Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Foundation, as well as workshops with Western Region Bangla Language school and Junubi Wyndham. For workshops in Australian schools, HWPL Victoria also established a Teacher’s Reference Group, the task of creating contextualised Peace Education materials for the Australian curriculum.
The success of the Peace Education workshops in Alice Springs serves as an exemplary model for Victoria as well. This is timely, particularly for many Victorian youth who spent about two years of their lives unable to benefit from typical social interactions during COVID, resulting in many struggling to navigate social settings among their peers and some experiencing greater levels of social anxiety. By addressing these crucial topics through the HWPL Peace Education Curriculum, the workshops not only empower youth to instil a positive self-image but also promote an environment of inclusivity and understanding. The insights gained from the Alice Springs workshops provide valuable lessons that can guide similar initiatives in Victoria, contributing to the holistic development and resilience of youth across Australia.
Student discuss what are their most valuable aspect of their lives and the need to recognise their own value. Knowing how valuable they are will lead to a more positive influence and impact in their environment
The HWPL Peace Education team aims to build on the success in NT, with plans to return for further collaboration with Centralian Middle School, Yirara College, and more schools in Alice Springs. In Victoria, preparations are underway for workshops set for 2024-25 at VU Secondary College, Truganina P-9 College, and St. Albans Secondary College, equipping youth with the values, confidence, and skills to contribute positively to society and promote a peaceful future.
(Left) Students discuss on what do they value the most in their lives, from their family, friends and in their communities.
(Right) Students take turns in shooting basketball hoops while sharing what they value of themselves. The activity prompted the students to think about their own values and increase their self-confidence
