Women for Development NGO GPPAC member

Goal

To create a culture of peace through teaching the basics of nonviolent conflict management in schools and to promote peace-building in the Region by sharing experiences with partner organizations.

Main approach

WFD’s approach to Conflict Resolution Education implies knowledge consistency. Each key player involved in the process of education – students, teachers, administration, parents – should have consistent knowledge and skills on conflict management. 

Methodology

Not to offer “ready solutions” or “one-size-fits-all” approach, but, rather, encourage students’ creative and independent thinking in order to find solutions and manage conflicts without violence.

Furthermore, WFD believes that in order to create a culture of peace and promote peace-building in the Region it is necessary to:

  • Support regional peace-building through peace education;
  • Exchange experience and best practices among regional partners and NGOs;
  • Develop similar approaches in integrating peace education into the educational systems of the neighbour countries in conflict.

Organisation

Established in 1997, Women for Development (WFD) is a women-led grass-root organization based in Gyumri, Armenia. It was formed upon the vision of several young women to shape their future and to bring positive societal change. Over the past two decades, WFD has worked on peace and conflict resolution education, community development and women’s rights in Armenia.
WFD’s key areas of actions are promoting Peace Education and Peacebuilding in the Region, community development in Shirak province of Armenia and protection of women’s rights.
As one of the first to initiate peace education in Armenia in 2002, WFD possesses rich experience in training teachers on peace education; developing methodological handbooks, didactic materials, and constantly seeks to improve its program. Due to WFD’s long-lasting and productive partnership with the Republic of Armenia (RA) National Institute of Education, peace education was institutionalized in 2015 and is now taught as a mandatory topic at the class head’s hours.
WFD's key areas of actions are promoting peace education and peace-building in the Region, community development in Shirak province of Armenia and protection of women’s rights.
As one of the first to initiate peace education in Armenia in 2002, WFD possesses rich experience in training teachers on peace education; developing methodological handbooks, didactic materials, and constantly seeks to improve its program. Due to WFD's long-lasting and productive partnership with the Republic of Armenia (RA) National Institute of Education, peace education was institutionalized in 2015, and is now taught as a mandatory topic at the class head’s hours.

In 2002, WFD made its first steps towards peace education. This program sought to create an environment, where students were able to analyze their problems and solve them without violence. The main strategy was shaped around organizing peace education lessons in schools; training in- and pre-service teachers and engaging parents. Through peace education, students grew into peer-to-peer educators and started sharing the peace-building ideas among their mates.


Main Achievements

  • At least 62% of 1’364 schools in Armenia are involved in the project;
  • Over 6’000 teachers from 850 schools of Armenia are trained;
  • Nearly 70’000 schoolchildren participated in Peace Education lessons and gained primary conflict management skills;
  • 3 methodological handbooks, a guidebook for teachers with didactic materials and an evaluation report on the impact of Peace Education on schoolchildren were published;
  • Conflicts with violent outcome at schools have diminished by 70%;
  • Peace Education is institutionalized in Armenia.




 

Type of Organisation

  • Non governmental organization (NGO)

Areas of Interest

  • Gender
  • Peace education

Organisation Activities

  • Capacity Building / Training

Member of GPPAC

Yes