School Intergroup Conflict Initiative

The School Intergroup Conflict Initiative helps academic communities create a positive learning environment for their students and educators. The focus is on the human realtions needs of the campus population. This pioneering program brings a groundbreaking technique to schools which helps create a climate of understanding and peace.

The program creates an educational experience where children, teenagers and young adults are motivated to take responsibility for their bodies, minds, and health. By learning to communicate in non-judgemental and non-hostile ways, students become skilled and are equipped with human relations tools that enrich their lives.

The Technique and How We Can Help

The process begins by opening lines of communication between diverse and alienated groups within the campus. An assessment is made, and based on the findings, a series of steps are implemented to change the climate of hate and animosity to one of collaboration.

• Through dialogue with school administrators, a needs assessment is made to help guide the peace skills program.

• With the needs assessment in hand, the LAHRC and school administrator decide what resources are needed from the local community, how the student body would interact with the outside environment, and what further resources are needed for the school.

• Planning in this manner helps a school's administrationprepare for any type of crisis. It links a school with local facilitators and mediators, and provides the benefits of long-term planning rather than reactive planning.

• School plans for safety and human relations become intertwined as administrators coordinate and encourage ahealthy campus climate that promotes safety, well-being, and academic achievement.

• Teachers-in-training are prepared for the "real world" with effective techniques to help them deal with a multicultural student body and how to incorporate human relations in everyday curriculum that meet with state and district standards.

• Through our networks, we can bring youth human relations to schools.

• Our veteran staff offers bridge-building skills to sectors of the community that might otherwise not realize the vast potential of working together for the common good.