FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2020
Humane Education Coalition Announces 2020 Excellence Award Recipient, Peace Learning Center
SAN ANTONIO, TX - The Humane Education Coalition is thrilled to announce their 2020 Excellence in Humane Education Award recipient, Peace Learning Center (PLC). PLC supports communities in redefining peace through equity, social-emotional learning, and the implementation of innovative practices. They reached more than 10,000 youth and adults through their education programs in the last year, including implicit bias workshops, restorative practices, peacebuilders camp, social justice leadership camp, climate camp, and their innovative One Indy program that works to change school climates. PLC's most recent contributions to humane education include their 'be the change' Museum and Everyday Circles cards.
"We are honored and humbled to win this recognition for our work to help humanity face the realities of our modern world," said Tim Nation, PLC Executive Director. "Each person has a responsibility to do their part to heal our planet starting with ourselves. Peace Learning Center promotes personal action, community impact, and policy changes that are based in our best knowledge and understanding of science and technology. Our programs reach those in preschool and extend through adulthood because everyone needs to learn new ways of living and unlearn self-centered approaches that focus on individual demands while ignoring community impact. 'The only thing controlled by you is what you say and what you do,' goes to the heart of how each person can make a difference. We thank you for this award."
PLC's 'be the change' Museum is free and open to the public, and it includes 30 permanent interactive exhibits designed to build empathy and compassion by showing people of all ages how small changes they make in their daily lives can make a big difference for our planet and in our world. The family-friendly exhibits transform facts and figures about many of our world’s most pressing problems into playful, hands-on activities that help participants make connections between their everyday actions and the impact they have on our planet, animals, and other humans. In the true spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s inspiration to “be the change you wish to see in the world,” the exhibits were created using repurposed, reused, and sustainable materials. This museum is a model for education centers and institutions everywhere, and PLC is always willing to share their tools and resources with others who would like to create something similar in their communities. Learn more about the 'be the change' Museum by viewing PLC's Humane Summit speaker session, "How to Create Interactive Humane Education Experiences."
PLC's 'be the change' Museum is free and open to the public, and it includes 30 permanent interactive exhibits designed to build empathy and compassion by showing people of all ages how small changes they make in their daily lives can make a big difference for our planet and in our world. The family-friendly exhibits transform facts and figures about many of our world’s most pressing problems into playful, hands-on activities that help participants make connections between their everyday actions and the impact they have on our planet, animals, and other humans. In the true spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s inspiration to “be the change you wish to see in the world,” the exhibits were created using repurposed, reused, and sustainable materials. This museum is a model for education centers and institutions everywhere, and PLC is always willing to share their tools and resources with others who would like to create something similar in their communities. Learn more about the 'be the change' Museum by viewing PLC's Humane Summit speaker session, "How to Create Interactive Humane Education Experiences."
In the last year, PLC also worked with several partner organizations to create a special collection of Everyday Circles cards. Educators can use these cards each day with students to support inclusion, acceptance, skill-building, empathy, compassion, restoration, and so much more. The Everyday Circles cards help educators incorporate restorative practices, anti-bias education, social and emotional learning, as well as meaningful content on pressing world issues. Students connect with one another and learn the valuable SEL Competencies of self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness, and responsible decision-making. Intended to be easy, quick, and fun with minimal prep work, the Everyday Circles cards are PLC's tried and true activities that have helped transform learners and communities. This resource is so valuable for intersectional humane education, and several of the cards are available at no cost to download on their website.
PLC's vision is to build a community of peace where respect is primary and justice is real. Through the modeling of behaviors, community collaboration, and by providing a wide range of services, they value peaceful resolution of all conflicts, strength of diversity in our community, the potential of youth, and responsible stewardship of the environment and community resources.
"As an organization dedicated to working for peace, we know that everyone’s future is intertwined with the wellbeing of the planet and all of the beings who call it home," said Kristina Hulvershorn, Director of Humane and Restorative Learning at PLC. "We do not need to consider it an either/or proposition when we decide whether to care for humanity or for the planet. The causes of our biggest social ills are interconnected with many types of issues and so are the solutions. Let’s keep developing meaningful ways to listen to youth and to otherwise marginalized perspectives. Let’s keep finding joy in one another and in the natural world. Creating ‘be the change’ and Everyday Circles as well as our work with Climate Camp is a labor of love and we consider it a privilege to do this work. We are humbled that our work has been noticed and recognized and look forward to continuing to come up with new and innovative ways of sowing the seeds of compassion, peace, and justice."
PLC educates, inspires, and empowers people to live peacefully. Their resources and education programs are a model for the field of humane education because they significantly impact the way young people think about their responsibility to other people, animals, and our shared environment. The Coalition applauds Peace Learning Center's efforts and thanks them for all they do to create a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world!
"As an organization dedicated to working for peace, we know that everyone’s future is intertwined with the wellbeing of the planet and all of the beings who call it home," said Kristina Hulvershorn, Director of Humane and Restorative Learning at PLC. "We do not need to consider it an either/or proposition when we decide whether to care for humanity or for the planet. The causes of our biggest social ills are interconnected with many types of issues and so are the solutions. Let’s keep developing meaningful ways to listen to youth and to otherwise marginalized perspectives. Let’s keep finding joy in one another and in the natural world. Creating ‘be the change’ and Everyday Circles as well as our work with Climate Camp is a labor of love and we consider it a privilege to do this work. We are humbled that our work has been noticed and recognized and look forward to continuing to come up with new and innovative ways of sowing the seeds of compassion, peace, and justice."
PLC educates, inspires, and empowers people to live peacefully. Their resources and education programs are a model for the field of humane education because they significantly impact the way young people think about their responsibility to other people, animals, and our shared environment. The Coalition applauds Peace Learning Center's efforts and thanks them for all they do to create a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world!
About the Award
Each year, the Humane Education Coalition honors a distinguished organization that has made a significant contribution to the field of humane education. The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding commitment and achievements of agencies involved in advancing humane education in innovative and extraordinary ways.
The Coalition's award selection committee, comprised of more than 10 experienced professionals, reviewed all nominees over the past several weeks as part of a thorough selection process that included rigorous selection criteria and a detailed evaluation instrument. Committee members are in no way affiliated with nominees and were carefully screened to ensure there is no conflict of interest for award selection.
Peace Learning Center received exceptional ratings for all criteria, including:
The Coalition's award selection committee, comprised of more than 10 experienced professionals, reviewed all nominees over the past several weeks as part of a thorough selection process that included rigorous selection criteria and a detailed evaluation instrument. Committee members are in no way affiliated with nominees and were carefully screened to ensure there is no conflict of interest for award selection.
Peace Learning Center received exceptional ratings for all criteria, including:
- demonstrating a commitment to the field of humane education;
- demonstrating extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, innovation, and creativity in humane education;
- leading by example, inspiring hope and empowering change in others;
- ability and willingness to work positively, respectfully, and effectively with others;
- and making a significant and meaningful contribution to the field of humane education in the last 12 months.
About the Coalition
The Humane Education Coalition is a global alliance for collective impact. Its mission is to advance the field of humane education through collaboration, education, empowerment, and inspiration. The Coalition collaborates with partners in human rights, environmental ethics, and animal protection to achieve common goals and support their work.
The Coalition provides needed grant funding, education, and resources for agencies that teach about issues impacting human and non-human animals and the planet we share. They also work collaboratively with partners around the world to implement groundbreaking initiatives in the field of humane education.
The Coalition provides needed grant funding, education, and resources for agencies that teach about issues impacting human and non-human animals and the planet we share. They also work collaboratively with partners around the world to implement groundbreaking initiatives in the field of humane education.
Media Contact
For press and media inquiries, please contact the Humane Education Coalition at info@hecoalition.org.