Title: Understanding Positive Peace and Negative Peace

Objective:
To explore the concepts of positive peace and negative peace, and to understand their significance in
promoting sustainable and harmonious societies.

Introduction:
Peace is a complex and multifaceted concept that extends beyond the absence of violence. Two essential
dimensions of peace are positive peace and negative peace. Understanding these dimensions is crucial
for fostering a holistic and enduring sense of tranquility in societies.

I. Negative Peace:

Definition:
Negative peace refers to the absence of direct violence or overt conflict. It is the traditional
understanding of peace as the mere absence of war or physical aggression.

Characteristics:

Ceasefire and Disarmament: Negative peace often involves the cessation of hostilities through
agreements, treaties, or ceasefires. Disarmament measures may be implemented to reduce the
likelihood of renewed conflict.

Stability and Order: The focus is on maintaining stability and order by preventing the outbreak of
violence or armed conflict.

Reactive Approach: Negative peace addresses immediate and visible manifestations of conflict but may
not necessarily address the root causes, underlying tensions, or structural issues that contribute to
instability.

II. Positive Peace:

Definition:
Positive peace goes beyond the absence of direct violence and aims to create the conditions for a just
and sustainable society. It is a proactive approach that seeks to address the root causes of conflict and
build a society that fosters well-being and cooperation.

Characteristics:

Social Justice and Equality: Positive peace emphasizes the importance of addressing structural
inequalities, social injustice, and disparities that can lead to conflicts. It seeks to create a society where
everyone has access to resources, opportunities, and basic human rights.

Conflict Prevention: Rather than simply reacting to conflicts, positive peace focuses on preventing
conflicts by addressing their root causes, such as poverty, discrimination, and political instability.

Sustainable Development: Positive peace promotes sustainable development, emphasizing economic,

social, and environmental policies that contribute to long-term stability and well-being.
Cultural Understanding and Cooperation: Positive peace encourages cultural understanding, dialogue,
and cooperation among diverse groups to build a sense of shared humanity and reduce inter-group
tensions.

Conclusion:
Both negative peace and positive peace are essential components in creating a stable and just society.
While negative peace provides the immediate relief from violence, positive peace addresses the deeper
issues that can lead to conflict. Striking a balance between these two dimensions is crucial for building
resilient and harmonious communities that can withstand challenges and contribute to the well-being of
all its members.

SAMPLE ACTIVITY

Activity: "Peaceful Puzzle"

Objective:
To help children understand the concepts of positive peace and negative peace through a hands-on and
creative activity.

Materials Needed:

Blank puzzles (available at most craft stores)

Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Poster board or large paper
Glue or tape
Scissors
Instructions:

Introduction (10 minutes):

Begin by discussing with the children what peace means to them. Ask open-ended questions such as,
"How do you feel when everything is calm and happy around you?" and "What do you think it means to
have peace?"

Explanation of Positive Peace and Negative Peace (10 minutes):

Explain the concepts of positive peace and negative peace in simple terms. You can use the analogy of a
puzzle to help them understand. Negative peace is like the absence of missing puzzle pieces (no fighting
or conflict), while positive peace is like putting the puzzle together with all the right pieces (creating a
society with fairness, cooperation, and understanding).

Creating the Peaceful Puzzle (20 minutes):

Distribute blank puzzles to each child.

Instruct them to draw or write on each puzzle piece things that represent negative peace (e.g., broken
pieces, frowns, conflict symbols) on one side and positive peace (e.g., smiles, symbols of cooperation,
harmony) on the other side.
Encourage creativity and expression as they design their puzzle pieces.
Assembling the Puzzle (15 minutes):

Once all the puzzle pieces are decorated, have the children come together to assemble a large poster-
sized puzzle on a piece of poster board or paper.
Discuss how the negative peace pieces represent the absence of conflict, while the positive peace pieces
symbolize the elements that contribute to a harmonious and just society.
Reflection (5 minutes):

Ask the children to reflect on the activity. Discuss with them how working together to create the puzzle
reflects the importance of collaboration and understanding in building a peaceful community.
This activity not only engages children in a creative process but also helps them internalize the concepts
of positive peace and negative peace in a tangible and memorable way.

Activity 2: "Building a Peaceful Puzzle"

Objective:
To help children understand the concepts of positive peace and negative peace through a hands-on,
collaborative puzzle activity.

Materials Needed:

Blank puzzle pieces (pre-cut or create your own by cutting cardstock or cardboard into puzzle shapes)
Art supplies (markers, colored pencils, crayons)
Large poster board or paper
Glue or tape
Instructions:

Introduction (10 minutes):

Begin by discussing with the children what peace means to them. Encourage them to share their
thoughts and feelings about what a peaceful community or world looks like. Introduce the concepts of
positive peace and negative peace in simple terms, emphasizing the absence of violence and the
promotion of well-being and cooperation.

Explanation of Activity (5 minutes):

Explain that the group will be working together to create two puzzles representing negative peace and
positive peace. The negative peace puzzle will focus on elements that represent the absence of conflict,
while the positive peace puzzle will highlight things that contribute to a harmonious and just society.

Negative Peace Puzzle (20 minutes):

Distribute blank puzzle pieces to each child.

Ask them to draw or color images that represent peace through the absence of conflict. This could
include symbols of ceasefire, calmness, or cooperation.
Once completed, collect the pieces and assemble them on the poster board, creating the negative peace
puzzle.
Positive Peace Puzzle (20 minutes):

Distribute new blank puzzle pieces to each child.

Instruct them to draw or color images that represent positive peace, such as scenes of equality,
cooperation, and understanding.
Collect the pieces and assemble them on a separate section of the poster board, forming the positive
peace puzzle.
Group Reflection (10 minutes):

Display both puzzles side by side.

Lead a discussion on how the negative peace puzzle represents the absence of conflict, while the
positive peace puzzle showcases elements that contribute to a more just and harmonious society.
Encourage children to reflect on the importance of both dimensions in creating a lasting and meaningful
sense of peace.
Optional Extension:

Have children write or draw their personal commitments to promoting peace in their daily lives.
Display the completed puzzles and reflections in a common area to serve as a visual reminder of the
lessons learned.
This activity not only engages children in a creative and collaborative process but also provides a tangible
representation of the concepts of positive and negative peace. It encourages reflection on the role each
individual can play in fostering a peaceful community.

Subtopic: "Promoting Peace in Schools"

Objective:
To explore strategies and initiatives that contribute to the promotion of a peaceful and inclusive school
environment, emphasizing positive peace.

I. Creating a Positive School Culture (Discussion - 15 minutes):

a. Facilitate a discussion on what a positive school culture looks like. Encourage students to share their
ideas about kindness, respect, and cooperation.
b. Discuss the role of students, teachers, and staff in contributing to a positive atmosphere in the school.
c. Brainstorm specific actions that can be taken to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for
everyone.

II. Peaceful Conflict Resolution (Role-playing - 20 minutes):

a. Introduce the concept of conflict resolution and its importance in maintaining a peaceful school
environment.
b. Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a common school scenario involving
conflict (e.g., disagreements in the classroom, on the playground, or during group activities).
c. Have each group role-play the scenario, emphasizing peaceful resolution strategies, such as effective
communication, active listening, and finding compromises.
d. After the role-plays, facilitate a group discussion on the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully
and how it contributes to a positive school environment.
III. Peaceful Art Project (Art Activity - 30 minutes):
a. Provide art supplies and ask students to create artwork that represents their vision of a peaceful
school.
b. Encourage them to include elements like cooperation, diversity, and kindness in their artwork.
c. Display the completed artworks in a designated area of the school, creating a "Peace Wall" that serves
as a visual reminder of the school's commitment to a positive and harmonious environment.

IV. Building Empathy and Understanding (Group Activity - 20 minutes):

a. Arrange students into pairs or small groups.
b. Assign each group a scenario in which a student may be facing challenges (e.g., a new student,
someone feeling left out).
c. Ask students to discuss and come up with ways to show empathy and support in those situations.
d. Have each group share their ideas with the class, emphasizing the importance of understanding and
supporting one another.

V. Peace Education Curriculum (Classroom Activity - 15 minutes):

a. Discuss the concept of peace education and its role in promoting positive values within the school.
b. Integrate peace-related themes into the curriculum, incorporating literature, history, and current
events that highlight the importance of peace and understanding.
c. Encourage students to engage in discussions and projects that promote critical thinking about peace-
related issues.

VI. Reflection and Commitment (Closure - 10 minutes):

a. Conclude the session by asking students to reflect on what they've learned and how they can
contribute to a more peaceful school environment.
b. Invite them to share personal commitments or actions they plan to take to promote peace within the
school.
c. Emphasize the collective responsibility of the school community in maintaining a positive and inclusive
atmosphere.

By focusing on these strategies, schools can create a foundation for positive peace, fostering an
environment where students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to contribute to a harmonious
community.