Suggestions for Youth in School and Parish Settings

Below are a few suggestions to bring the work of non-violence activity and awareness to youth in school and parish settings (i.e., religious education programs, parish schools or youth groups). Feel free to adapt these ideas to better fit your community and circumstances.

Teens and Young Adults:

• Many believe that Jesus was a pacifist. What is pacifism? Do you think Jesus was a pacifist?
• Explore the reconciliation process adopted by South Africa. How is it possible to reconcile a country after such a long history of violence and repression?
• Talk generally about the ways people and governments around the world resolve conflicts. Can you identify some nonviolent resolutions in history? Why is it so much easier to identify violent solutions?
• Read and discuss a selection from an author who promotes nonviolence: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Sir William Deane, Gandhi,
• What systems does our government use to deal with conflict (Department of Defense, declarations of war, criminal justice system, international treaties, disarmament agreeements, "summit" meetings)? Are these systems effective? What other systems might be designed to deal with conflict resolution?
• Is the criminal justice system just? Is it non-violent? If not, should it be? What would this look like? Should prisoners be rehabilitated, punished or both?
• Does your school have a semester-long course in nonviolent conflict resolution or peace studies? Do you think it should? Why or why not?
• Ask youth to take an "Anti-violence Pledge":

I will never bring a weapon to school;
I will never use a weapon to settle a dispute;
I will not use violence, violent language or behavior to settle a conflict;
I will use my influence with my friends to keep them from using weapons,
violence, violent language or behavior to settle disputes.
My individual choices and actions, when multiplied by those of young
people throughout the country, will make a difference.

Together, by honoring this pledge,
We can reverse the violence and grow up in safety.

For more information write to: Office of Social Development & World Peace
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000
Website: www.usccb.org/sdwp/index.htm