The Project
Getting to Peace
Getting to Peace: Transforming Conflict at Home, at Work, and in the World combines transmedia from Let It Ripple https://www.letitripple.org/films, current events from A Starting Point https://www.astartingpoint.com/, educational resources from The Third Way https://thirdside.williamury.com/teach/ and global reach Institute for Civic Leadership https://www.iclglobal.org/ to create modules that provide global/historical perspectives and engage students with current events through multiple perspectives to develop the complex thinking skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century.
We need to prepare students not just as competent professionals but also as responsible and engaged citizens in civil society.
Elements:
Video: Edited/updated from The Future Starts Now and The Teenage Brain –from Dr.
Dan Siegel.
Current events: A Starting Point (an online, civic engagement bipartisan/communication channel.)
Complex Thinking: The Third Way, William Ury
Virtual Conference:
conferences, delivered as a live, synchronous Zoom meeting e.g.,
https://vimeo.com/695789792 or
https://www.astartingpoint.com/events/gen-z-civic-engagement_cM3Tv2bKN with high school students and later available in our portal for use in asynchronous learningenvironments.
Whether viewed in a classroom or a family room, the modules open dialogue through
multiple perspectives that present options as an “and . . .” rather than as a “but . . .
Format:
1. Provide Perspective
• 50/50 gender/equity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0wXlMGcZ6g
• Ovarian Lottery https://youtu.be/k53-9fAkLOI?si=ROA5Tz_Uh_ZCorDv
2. Engage with a Current Issue
• Politics https://www.astartingpoint.com/counterpoints/will-artificial-intelligencesave-
or-ruin-the-world_cLGhVxdGv
3. Insert Complex Thinking
• Third Side. https://thirdside.williamury.com/teach/
4. Reflection: Journal – Capture one point from each side that you either think has
merit, is false, or you didn’t know previously.
Objectives:
Develop 21st-century skills that include respect for freedom and human dignity, empathy, open-mindedness, tolerance, justice, ethical integrity, and responsibility to a larger good.
WHY Now
The Institute for Civic Leadership was founded in 2001 in response to 911, with the stated mission “To prepare the next generation of civic leaders to become active and engaged citizens, while building a culture of peace in their local and global communities.”
One of the mainstays of the ICL since its inception is our renowned speakers series that gives students the chance to learn from
recognized global leaders through conferences and youth summits with the opportunity to express their ideas and hopes for a better world and environment.
Our project has the potential to rise above national and global divisions and cultivate character across political and religious beliefs, race and class, and all demographics.
The internet and digital media have changed how we gather information, collaborate, and communicate. Education must equip students to navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world and actively contribute to civil society. It must go beyond
traditional foundational literacies, such as STEM subjects, to equip students with essential skills like complex thinking and conflict resolution. These skills are indispensable for active participation in a civil society.
Artificial Intelligence may reshape how we process information and solve problems, but what truly sets us apart as humans are our unique capacities for empathy, ethics, and critical thinking.
AI enhances our cognitive abilities, but the cultivation of complex
thinking and character is what equips students to contribute meaningfully to civil society in the 21st century. Civics education must adapt to the digital age. The internet allows us to compare and analyze the changing perspectives on democracy easily. Integrating media literacy into civics education can further empower them to navigate the information age responsibly. Utilizing media can be a powerful tool to engage students in discussions on government, social issues, and current events. It enables them to navigate the complex world of information, discern credible sources, and form well-informed opinions – skills crucial for active citizenship.
THE TEAM
Let It Ripple - Our team has the experience to develop, produce and then scale the
program. Let it Ripple is a 501c3 social profit (nonprofit) known for our global art
activations, award-winning films, original series, and live and virtual experiences that
inspire audiences to think about what it means to be human in today's world. The film
library we bring is worth over $500,000 and tackles many subjects, including the
science behind social media, technology, the creative process, gender and
transgender identities, women and equity, and the relationship between humans and
robots.
Portfolio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0wXlMGcZ6g
The Institute for Civic Leadership was founded in 2001 in response to 911, with the
stated mission “To prepare the next generation of civic leaders to become active and
engaged citizens, while building a culture of peace in their local and global
communities.” One of the mainstays of the ICL since its inception is our
renowned speakers series that gives students the chance to learn from
recognized global leaders through conferences and youth summits with the
opportunity to express their ideas and hopes for a better world and
environment.
A Starting Point https://www.astartingpoint.com/about
A Starting Point is a video-based civic engagement platform created by Chris Evans,
Mark Kassen, and technology entrepreneur Joe Kiani. ASP’s mission is to create a
bipartisan channel of communication and connectivity between Americans and their
elected officials with the goal of creating a more informed electorate. Includes: Starting
Points. Two-minute answers to common questions and Counterpoints – discussions
across the aisles.
William Ury https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-ury-8260a496/ Co-Founder,
Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School Founder and
ChairFounder and Chair
Abraham Path Initiative
The Third Way - The Third Side is a way of looking at the conflicts
around us not just from one side or the other but from the larger
perspective of the surrounding community. You can have natural
sympathies for one side or the other and still choose to take the
Third Side. https://youtu.be/Hc6yi_FtoNo?si=dsSxLxNnqrZm4hnI
