The National Peace Academy and the George Mason University School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution

By Dot Maver

The National Peace Academy (NPA) is part of a rich peace history in the United States of America and as we honor the International Day of Peace 2015 and the theme: Partnerships for Peace ~ Dignity for All, it seems fitting to share good news regarding an exciting development for the National Peace Academy and George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Founding Father George Washington clearly stated the need for a Peace Academy to train citizens as rigorously as the War Academy trained citizens for the military. In 2008, building on the foundation stones placed by so many throughout the decades, a group of citizens began the process of manifestation, and in 2009 the National Peace Academy was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

On April 2, 2015, the faculty at George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) approved affiliation with the National Peace Academy, thus fulfilling an intention that began in the Carter Administration in the 1970s. Our present story and opportunity begins here …

In the 1960s and 70s, a series of bi-partisan bills introduced in the US Congress called for a National Peace Academy. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter and Congress, through Public Law 95-561, established the 9-member Commission on Proposals for the National Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution, which came to be known as the Matsunaga Commission (after its chair, Senator Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii). Over the next two years, the Commission conducted a series of Town Halls throughout the USA and heard citizens’ overwhelmingly affirmation that, yes, a National Peace Academy focused on resolving conflict by peaceful means is a good idea. In 1981, the Commission submitted its report to Congress and President Reagan with the principal recommendation that “The President and the Congress of the United States of America should establish the United States Academy of Peace.”

At that time, it seemed that the social and political will in the United States was strong enough to actually adopt that recommendation. Behind the scenes, George Mason University was approached to house this prestigious institution. However, in 1984, rather than founding a National Peace Academy, Congress elected to establish the United States Institute of Peace, affiliated with the US State Department and focused primarily internationally.

Fast forward … in 2014, as the President of NPA, I met with Kevin Avruch, Dean of GMU S-CAR. As we shared stories, we realized that, by working together, our two organizations had the potential to dramatically advance the peacebuilding role that the USA needs to play both domestically and internationally.

It turns out that when the anticipation of bi-partisan backing for a National Peace Academy was high during the Carter Administration, a piece of land was donated to George Mason University in support of such an institution. Dean Avruch recently raised money to build a Peacebuilding Center on this land, and the ribbon cutting at Point of View – a “civilian Camp David” – will happen in early 2016.

Imagine a full residential Peacebuilding Center where everyone learns to resolve conflict prior to escalation to violence; where Community Policing training is offered; where Restorative Justice training is offered; where communities go when something like Ferguson occurs and there are peacebuilders ready, willing and able to work comprehensively to facilitate resolution and next steps; where social emotional learning is a priority and attitudes change leading to different cultural norms in support of peace - living in harmonious relationship with self, others and the world around us.

This is the opportunity that now faces NPA and GMU S-CAR as we develop our affiliation.

For further information or to support this effort contact: info@nationalpeaceacademy.us or visit: http://nationalpeaceacademy.us/
 

Dorothy J. Maver, Ph.D. is an educator and peacebuilder whose keynote is inspiring cooperation on behalf of the common good. Dot is Project Director with Kosmos Associates, a Founding Trustee of the National Peace Academy USA, and is a founder and board member of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures of Peace, and the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. Her work in education, politics and grassroots community organizing is focused on applied peacebuilding utilizing a shared responsibility and shared leadership model. From 2005 – 2007 Dot served as Executive Director of The Peace Alliance and Campaign for a US Department of Peace, and prior to that she was the National Campaign Manager for Kucinich for President 2004. In the world of fast-pitch softball Dr. Dot is known for her revolutionary fast-pitch hitting technique, The Maver Method: Secrets of Hitting Success; she is co-author of the book Conscious Education: The Bridge to Freedom; is a Fellow with the World Business Academy, and serves on the board of the Nicholas Roerich Museum in NYC. Dot also serves on the United Nations International Day of Peace NGO Education Peace Team, the International Cities of Peace Advisory Council, and the Summer of Peace Wisdom Council. You can learn more about Dot and her service/work at these websites:

Kosmos Associates

Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures of Peace

National Peace Academy USA

River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

The Maver Method: Secrets of Hitting Success