The UNESCO preamble of 1945 states: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed". Making provisions for peace means working for peace at all levels of society in all areas of life and in all places in the world. Learning and teaching this - in the field of tension between global and local, taking into account different forms of violence and with reference to the reality of life of both the individual and the community - is at the centre of the peace education efforts at the ACP.
In order to prevent violence and deal constructively with conflicts, one needs not only knowledge and skills, but also the internalization of peace-promoting norms and values. All this is taught and trained in the various peace education programmes at the ACP. These include: Competences for conflict transformation and peace, non-violent communication, prevention of mobbing and violence, respectful manners, integration and diversity, as well as teambuilding and solidarity.
In addition to the "small peace" in our educational institutions and in our society, the focus is also on dealing with the "big peace" with all its global dimensions.
The content is prepared in an age- and knowledge-adequate way, the methods are interactive and innovative. We offer students the project "Peace Weeks" (3rd - 13th grade of all school types), as well as the Holocaust History Project (7th - 10th grade of all school types). For educators we have developed the Systemic Competence Training within the framework of the Peace Weeks and the university course "Global Peace Education" in cooperation with the Burgenland College of Education and the Children and Youth Advocacy Burgenland.
Over 20,000 students took part in the "Peace Weeks". The UNESCO-awarded program takes place against the unique backdrop of Schlaining Castle. Here the young people experience community as enrichment and diversity as opportunity. They learn to respond to one another, to pursue goals together, to support one another - but also to say no when injustice is felt. Conflicts are not perceived as negative, but are approached constructively as an opportunity for positive change.
The ACP is a member of numerous peace education working groups and networks, as well as the UNESCO Expert Advisory Board for Transformative Education.
