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  1. serena castaldi

    I agree with the suggestion to appoint Rep. Dennis Kucinich.
    Communication skills have to be taught in schools and also in the community so that adults and especially couples and  parents can learn how to effectively communicate, educate and resolve conflicts. The family is where often violence starts and is learned. Non Violent Communication(NVC) is an effective practice; FOCUSING (see Focusing .org) is another that can be effectively combined with NVC. Those can be taught in a short time to big groups very inexpensively and then practiced in peers groups at no cost.  Both NVC and Focusing  have been effectively used in  various countries and communities plagued by violence, have been taught to community leaders who pass them on, rapidly changing the culture. Another thing that has to be part of this campaign has to do with the MEDIA where much of the GLORIFICATION of violence is perpetrated. For behavior to change the  VALUE SYSTEM has to change. We leave in a country/culture where killing is the bottom line of power. This is what the USA goverment has invested most of its resources in, based its domination upon,   modeled for its citizens and the world. Questioning this assumption openly and for our leaders being willing to change it  has to be part of it too, as most of all we teach by example.Part of this campaign is  also providing the true uncensored information about the cost of wars, to our country as well as others (often dehumanized as intrinsically 'evil') , in human life , environmental damage and financial cost through the many books and testimonials available. This will show that war is unsustainable and ultimately self destructive.Considering the transformation of the arms industry into an industry aimed at construction, not destruction, is also a necessary step toward building  a sustainable culture of peace here and around the world.
    The all world is crying out for peace, help us get there!
    Serena Castaldi  1/17/08

    Suggested by serena castaldi on 01/17/2009 @ 09:54AM PT

  2. Kris Lecakes-Haley

    As a contributor above stated, "Peace and Nonviolence need empathy!!!"  Indeed.  However, empathy must extend to all species --- Chief Seattle told us long ago that the web of life is inextricably interconnected and what we do to one, we do to all.  Having a Department of Peace is a WONDERFUL proposition --- but to be fully actualized, it must have components that will be dedicated to ensuring that PEACE extends to all beings.  Perhaps create within it, a department of public policy that would address human-animal issues? 

    Suggested by Kris Lecakes-Haley on 01/17/2009 @ 09:34AM PT

  3. Christine Covelli

    We need openness and humility in listening to others so we can actually grasp their point of view. Often we will recognize that their values and aspirations are similar to ours. We also need to know how to think logically, argue objectively, and express ourselves and our ideas clearly. Teachers in all disciplines and in every phase of education should receive training in logic and how to recognize false arguments.   In line with child development, the youngest children can learn to express their will (power) in healthy ways through story, play, crafts, and everyday actions, such as sweeping the floor and sanding wood. Elementary-age children can learn empathy through stories and cultural geography, and through activities such as art, music, and rhythmic movement that provide avenues for the healthy expression of feelings. Then beginning around puberty, middle school, they can begin to learn the rudimentary principles of thinking, perhaps with a focus on the drawing aspects of geometry and the artistic and scientific aspects of architecture. And then in high school, they can focus on thinking through issues and arguing points of view. Some people shy away from formal debate class, but the principles can be incorporated into everyday learning. Students and teachers together can analyze movies, discuss current events, suggest solutions to problems, and create win/win situations based on commonly held values. They can also get involved in the community and work together for a common end.   In an atmosphere of mutual respect, people gain respect for themselves, and when they are confident in themselves, they can work in cooperation with others rather than in competition. They realize that the worth of the other is equal to the worth of themselves. If we started from that one premise, we would see the spread of justice and peace throughout our world.  

    Suggested by Christine Covelli on 01/17/2009 @ 09:17AM PT

  4. Pam Lawson

    Require courses in interpersonal communication in the Middle/Junior High and High Schools.  Make this course part of "No Child Left Behind" and have it part of the standardized testing mandate.  Require that every school system have at least one employee whose main duty is to teach this course.  Also standardize the information across the country so that all children in both private and public schools are educated with the same information and methods.  Allow this course to be taught by professionals who are not necessarily "educational professionals"  and make this course available without cost to those who want to become instructors in this area.  Each individual state DOE can provide the training to anyone, from any arena who would like this to be their vocation.  These individuals will have a greater degree of dedication than an already over-taxed teacher and then in the smaller school districts one individual may be able to serve the entire district with this process.  This will minimize cost and standardize the information that every child in our country is receiving.  This issue (teaching how to peacefully communicate with others) will spread throughout our country and will grow exponentially as these children become parents and have the skills to peacefully resolve conflict.  These children will also teach their parents, through their own actions, to communicate in a peaceful manner.  We must begin with the children and watch it grow.

    Suggested by Pam Lawson on 01/17/2009 @ 09:06AM PT

  5. Stephen Wider

    I concur that Dennis Kucinich should definetly be appointed as the Secretary of the Dept. of Peace when it's created, because not only was the whole thing his Idea originally, but he is also the best suited for he Job!

    Suggested by Stephen Wider on 01/17/2009 @ 08:42AM PT

  6. Paula Richer

    This is a wonderful opportunity to combine the "Bridging the Empathy Gap" proposal with the Department of Peace proposal.  You're asking for a method and Non Violent Communication (NVC) is an ideal one.  I sincerely hope you consider a joint proposal.  

    Suggested by Paula Richer on 01/17/2009 @ 06:24AM PT

  7. William Cerf

    I'd like to suggest that we recruit Dennis Kucinich to campaign to be the first Secretary of Peace. Create momentum so that Obama would be willing to appoint him as Special Advisor to the President for Peace and Nonviolence.

    Suggested by William Cerf on 01/17/2009 @ 05:42AM PT

  8. Renata Ventura

    I have a suggestion of slogan for this campaign:

    PEACE IS POWER!

    What do you guys think?

    Suggested by Renata Ventura on 01/17/2009 @ 05:26AM PT

  9. Lisa Mundle

    I also very strongly propose to include the empathy proposal in the implementation of this proposal.  Empathy is such a powerful tool and absolutely necessary for non-violent conflict resolution in my opinion!

    Suggested by Lisa Mundle on 01/17/2009 @ 04:50AM PT

  10. F K

    Add the proposal about empathy in this proposal. Peace and Non-Violence need empathy !!!

    Suggested by F K on 01/17/2009 @ 02:35AM PT

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