IHTEC's PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENT

IHTEC's philosophical statement
The Role of Communities with Schools for Participation with the International School Peace Gardens. Updated January 27, 2004

International School Peace Garden was originally developed for schools and their teachers. As schools include the community in their educational process, and the educational process is seen as an important part of a nation's security, schools can easily dedicate themselves to "Global Sustainability Education" for the security of planet earth. IHTEC's work is an educational philosophy which does not support any peace activism. We encourage research which can be presented to all levels of government for security advice. This must occur in a peaceful and positive manner.



ISPG links easily with most aspects of current school curricula in some or all of the following ways. All ISPG educational curriculum and their actions and outcomes are focussed on the "web of all life" and the indefinite continuance of planetary survival by:

Peace within ourselves

1. Being trusted at all times with an open mind and heart, to follow a path of peace.

2. Reducing our individual and collective ecological footprint.

3. Using all resources wisely and consuming less, so that no resource is wasted.

4. Using human energy wherever possible and learning how to survive with what is around them. eg: Use non-electrical appliances.

5. Hosting each other wherever we are and by thanking others who host us.

6. Being a "dolphin" friend to all who need help.

7. Nurturing their own health through correct diet, fresh food, clean water and by using natural methods where possible.



Peace in our families

8. Protecting themselves, their families and others by behaving peacefully.

9. Growing their own food where possible, or by buying locally grown non-genetically modified food.

10. Planting non-hybrid native plants, which nurture their local eco-system species.

11. Understanding the concept of including extended families.

12. Removing all things that do not promote peace from their environment. ie: Buying toys that promote peaceful actions.

13. Being loyal to their family and friends and by sharing what they can with others especially those who have less.

14. Building homes that are off the electricity grid using solar and wind energy and recycled supplies.

15. Purchasing non-carbon dioxide producing vehicles like hybrid cars, bicycles, solar powered vehicles or by reducing unnecessary vehicle use.



Peace within our school and our community

16. Planting peace trees and peace gardens wherever you go and passing on the idea to others. This includes, conflict resolution using "Friendship Benches", peace education in every school, environmental education using life zone land laboratories, food security, inter-cultural understanding, and positive values. Language arts and the performing arts are vital to the expressive outcomes.

Create books that show what they have achieved in their ISPG program in your school, to hand out to visitors. Please send books, reports and other documents which show your achievements, using photos, children poetry and drawings, showing who was included from the community for IHTEC's history. These must include the ISPG logo and website: www.ihtec.org

17. Solving their conflicts with others involved on friendship benches.

18. Develop partnerships with schools in poorer countries and help to build relationships that solve problems by sharing resources.



Peace within the Global Family

19. Sharing educational, scientific, cultural and traditional indigenous knowledge with other schools internationally, and therefore supporting UNESCO.

20. Understanding the importance of fair trade, appropriate agriculture, fishing and forestry practices to support the global eco-system.

21. Accounting for the substances that have come from outside their town, city or country

22. Honouring all people on the planet, especially those from other countries.

23. Upholding all International Conventions and Agreements made by your country, and encouraging these laws locally.

24. Including women in all decision-making following the example by the United Nations Resolution 1325 on "Women and Peace and Security".

25. Encourage equal participation in decision making in all local, provincial, state and national governments.

26. Learning to be hosts and to help with the human re-settlement of other cultures, who may be affected by climate change and the effects of sea level rise.



Peace with Nature

27. Helping to clean up the current pollution on the planet and at the same time preventing more pollution. This twofold action will eventually sustain and create indefinite survival conditions for all species.

28. Conserving and protecting all water resources and their natural filters, including rivers, sand dunes, wetlands, oceans and their coastal environments.

29. Clean up river pollution, recycle water and share water when needed.

30. Knowing what plant species their soil will grow and how to protect both the soil and the species.

31. Protecting and befriending all animals, by protecting existing food supplies, and by planting food supplies where needed for all creatures, especially where they live and along international migration routes.