Our MissionTo educate, train, empower, and stimulate the participation of youth as leaders to promote a culture of peace in their communities beginning with the individual as a positive influence.
Our VisionA world where humans coexist and are empowered with social & emotional skills needed to create a culture of peace.
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Areas of focus |
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Program implementation
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Youth leaders and their adult mentors participate in workshops (or camps) where they learn specific skills they can later integrate into their daily lives. The invitation to participate in this program is open to everyone in the community. Once trained, youth leaders (ages 15 to 22), become the inter-generational bridge among adult mentors (ages 24+) and younger children (ages 6 to 14).
The tools learned in the training are put into practice in Peace Circles–the main cells of action leading to positive social change. Through the Peace Circles, youth leaders and children practice the learned values and exert a positive influence in their communities by promoting and transmitting these skills to others. The creation of Peace Circles is modeled after PFP Peace Clubs, which take place in 20+ countries around the globe. Four progressive levels of AbrazoPaz build upon each other during participation in this program.
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Who is involved? |
Participants of the program are volunteer youth leaders and their mentors, as well as children from schools, organizations, or the community in general.
The primary person of responsibility is PFP Certified Trainer (2012) Livier Ayon, who holds a BA in Human Development with adolescent and adult focus, (summa cum laude CSUEB 2014) and is a Certified Yoga Teacher (Niroga Institute 2015) that has been involved in peace education for more than 10 years and 3 years with using body movement as a processing tool. Ayon created this program and is the responsible for initial research exploring its effect on youth. Ayon is also a research assistant in the Arts, Creativity and Education Lab for Christina Chin--‐Newman, PhD., a psychologist and associate professor of the Human Development Department at California State University (East Bay), who will collaborate in the study of the outcomes of this program. Contingent on funding, a male co-facilitator, a part-time project assistant, and an event coordinator will join the staff in specific points of the program as well. |
Organizational Partners |
Local organizations currently involved or interested in collaborating in this program are: Centro de Desarrollo Jocotepec (CEDEJO), Alianza por una Educación Humanitaria in Ajijic, and governmental departments in their local municipality (i.e. Family Development-DIF). Advisors include professors, psychologists, sociologists, former high school principals, and a former peace education trainer. Other supporters and stakeholders include community members in Jocotepec, Ajijic, and Chapala. A research grant from California State University (East Bay), and the Peace Psychology Division 48 of the American Psychological Association, have provided support by supplying materials and stipends for two volunteers.
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