Rational
Peace and education are inseparable aspects of civilization. No civilization is truly progressive without education, and no education system is truly civilizing unless it is based on the universal principles of peace. However, our schools have become increasingly conflicted and violent. School textbooks and theories upon which their contents are based, are predominantly written from the perspective of conflict and “otherness.” While we rightly expect schools to be safe and stress-free environments, in reality they are often the opposite—unsafe and stressful. Our schools, therefore, inadvertently promote a culture of conflict and violence, and their students do not learn the ways of peace. Education for Peace (EFP) Professional Diploma is specifically designed to address these perplexing issues.
EFP Professional Diploma is an advanced online study course based on the concepts and methodologies of the Education for Peace Integrated Curriculum. EFP is a peace-based education program and requires exploration of both the genesis of peace and the practice of peace building at intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup levels. The development of creative and critical perspectives on theoretical assumptions underlying contemporary theories and practices of peace education is another objective of the course.
Objectives
The main objective of this program is to create—with the help of teachers, parents/guardians, and students—unique school communities characterized by a culture of peace, a culture of healing, and a culture of excellence.
A culture of peace refers to an environment characterized by mutual trust, unity in diversity, practice of the principles of human rights and democracy, as well as the ability to prevent violence and resolve all conflicts in a creative and peaceful manner. In a culture of peace conflicts are dramatically reduced and bullying and other types of violence are anomalies, and are immediately and effectively addressed.
A culture of healing refers to an environment that enables all members of the school community—students, parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and support staff—to overcome the trauma they have suffered, individually and/or collectively as a result of their experience of conflict, bullying, violence, or war.
A culture of excellence is an environment in which pursuit of personal and group excellence and critical thinking in all domains of life—intellectual, emotional, social, moral, and spiritual—is actively pursued, encouraged, and realized.
These three cultures—peace, healing, and excellence—together comprise the foundations of a civilization of peace. Creating these three cultures in the participating schools is one of the unique elements of the EFP Program, and a reason why it is suitable for all societies—those that have experienced the traumas of conflict, violence, and war and those that wish to prevent such traumas in their respective communities.
In summary, the course:
- provides the necessary framework for analyzing peace-based education and peace-building processes through the lens of unity (in the context of diversity);
- engages the participants in individual and small group exercises on how to create a culture of peace in their respective learning environments;
- assists the participating teachers to develop peace-based education lesson plans for their classrooms; and
- provides guidelines on how schools administrators can cultivate a culture of peace, a culture of healing, and a culture of excellence in their respective schools.
Course Overview
EFP Professional Diploma course is designed for educators (formal and informal). In order to obtain EFP Professional Diploma, participants need to satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of the following nine modules plus the final assignment:
Conceptual Foundations of Education for Peace(5 Modules):
EFP-C1: Concept of Unity
EFP-C2: Concept of Worldview
EFP-C3: Dynamics of Individual and Social Development
EFP-C4: Nature and Dynamics of violence and strategies for its prevention
EFP-C5: Dynamics of Individual and Social Development
Skills and Methodologies of Education for Peace (4 Modules):
EFP-S1: Peace-Based Conflict Resolution/Conflict-Free Conflict Resolution (CFCR)
EFP-S2: Peace-Based Leadership / Leadership for Peace (LFP)
EFP-S3: Creating a Culture of Healing (CoH)
EFP-S4: Education for Peace Methodology
Final Assignment
EFP-FA1: Final Assignment (final paper or training manual) for obtaining EFP Professional Certificate.
Each module can be completed in about four (4) weeks. However, course participants may take longer to complete the course requirements.
Participants will have access to an EFP-International faculty member via email and on-line discussion sessions through EFP ACADEMY Learning Site.
Each course covers one of the units of the EFP Integrative Curriculum. Pre-service and in-service teachers will have the opportunity to apply the concepts and materials of each unit into their classroom lesson plans, while other professionals can apply them to their respective areas of work.
Upon satisfactory completion of each module, the participants will receive an EFP Certificate of Completion, which may be applied toward obtaining the EFP Professional Diploma.
Completion Requirements
The EFP-Professional Diploma is awarded to those participants who complete the following requirements:
- Preparation of a lesson plan or training session for each of the five conceptual courses (EFP-C1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and each of the three skill courses (EFP-S1,2,3); and,
- Submission of a final paper (10,000 words) or training manual demonstrating the knowledge of the candidate about the main EFP concepts and his/her proficiency in practical application of the EFP skills and methodologies to their respective areas of professional work as teachers, school administrators, policy makers, and members of civil society agencies dealing with various aspects of education of children, youth, and adults.
Specific requirements for the above assignments will be provided during the course.
The Education for Peace Professional Diploma is a prerequisite for obtaining the Education for Peace Master of Advanced Studies (MAS).
Required Textbooks
Danesh, H.B., and Sara Clarke-Habibi. (2007). Education for Peace Curriculum Manual: a conceptual and practical guide. EFP Press, Victoria, Canada. ISBN 978-0-9782845-1-0
Danesh, H.B., and Sara Clarke-Habibi. (2007). Education for Peace Student Manual: a conceptual and practical guide. (Book 1) EFP Press, Victoria, Canada. 978-0-9782846-1-9
Danesh, H.B., and Sara Clarke-Habibi. (2007). Education for Peace Student Manual: a
conceptual and practical guide. (Book 2) EFP Press, Victoria, Canada. 978-0-9782846-2-6
Available from: http://efp.pathwisedev.ca/bookstore and Amazon
Danesh, H.B., Editor (2011) Education For Peace Reader, EFP Press, Victoria, Canada. (available from Amazon)
This book is also available (free of charge) in electronic format at: https://efp.pathwisedev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/efp_reader.pdf
It is strongly recommended that the conceptual modules (EFP-C1, 2, 3, 4, & 5) be taken in that order.
Specific course readings and assignments for each module will be made available upon registration, beginning with module EFP-C1.
Who is Eligible?
- Teachers/Schools Administrators/Educators/Teacher-training students/other university students
- Education stakeholders at home (parents), community (civil society organizations), government (Policymakers), etc.
- Staff-development officers at places of work
- Minimum BA degree for those who wish to obtain EFP Professional Diploma, however, all individuals may take the course for their personal life-long education.
Course Structure and Schedule
- EFP Professional Diploma is comprised of 10 Modules (including the final course assignment).
- Each module requires an average of 4 weeks to complete.
- The course is offered three times a year:
- Fall Semester: Oct. 15-July 31 Application deadline: Oct. 1
- Spring Semester: March 01- Dec. 31 Application deadline: Jan. 15
- Summer Intensive: July 01- August 31 Application deadline: Jun. 15
Application Procedure
- Completed Application Form
- Curriculum Vitae or Résumé (sent with Application Form)
- 2 Page Personal Statement (sent with Application Form)
- Email filled out application form, curriculum vitae/résumé and personal statement to info@efp.pathwisedev.ca
- Purchase course through the appropriate ‘Add to Cart’ button below. You will receive information on how to access the course via email after your Application Form, Personal Statement and Curriculum Vitae/Résumé have been received.
Course Fees
Full Course
- Applicants from outside of Canada: US $450.00
- Applicants resident in Canada: US $450.00
- Applicants from the UN designated Developing countries: US $225.00
For the list of eligible countries see: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/least_developed_countries.htm
Applicants in Canada
Applicants Outside Canada
Course Fees for Applicants that have completed "Introduction to EFP Certificate of Completion"
- Applicants from outside of Canada: US $350.00
- Applicants resident in Canada: US $350.00
- Applicants from the UN designated Developing countries: US $175.00
For the list of eligible countries see: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/least_developed_countries.htm
When registering for your course, please indicate your semester of choice.