The Role of a Mediator: A Helper for Peace

 During the week of June 15, our students at the Center for Peace Education (CPE) learned that a “mediator is a helper for peace.”

Our lessons focused on the role of a mediator as a neutral person who guides others to solve conflicts peacefully. A mediator listens carefully to both sides, doesn't take sides, helps people understand each other, and works to find an amicable solution for everyone involved.

We are so proud of our young peacemakers as they master these vital skills.

Thank you for your continued love, generosity, and support!

#PeaceEducation #CPE #MediationLessons #YouthForPeace #Liberia

The Core Values of a True Negotiator

 Negotiation is the powerful process of connecting adversaries through constructive dialogue. 

Building on last week’s lessons, our students at the Center for Peace Education are diving into the essential tools required to make peace a reality.

They are learning that true negotiation requires more than just talking. It demands active listening, respect, empathy, and a deep awareness of other people’s underlying needs and emotions.

Furthermore, demonstrating equality and equity serves as the ultimate bridge for rivals. 

These salient components don't just bring people to the table for a genuine negotiation; YES INDEED, they lay the vital foundation for a lasting peace. 

Thanks For Your Support!

#PeaceEducation #NegotiationMonth #CPE #YouthForPeace #Liberia

Negotiation: Turning Confrontation into Dialogue

As the students of the Center for Peace Education (CPE) dive into Negotiation this June, they are learning that peace begins with the process of building bridges.

During a dispute, our words and actions can easily escalate and worsen the conflict. Our students are learning that to transition from a harsh confrontation to a constructive dialogue, opponents must first calm their hearts, steady their emotions, and bring their anger under control.

Through the discipline of negotiation, adversaries can safely meet, connect, end hostilities, and achieve lasting peace.

#PeaceEducation #NegotiationMonth #CPE #YouthForPeace #Liberia

Peace in Action: Cleaning Our Community, Healing Our Land

Peace isn’t just taught; OH YES, it’s practiced! Our students are living the values they study every day at the Center for Peace Education.

On the final weekend of May 2026, our students took their lessons beyond the classroom and into the heart of the community. As seen in attached photos, they worked together to clean and care for the environment we all share. We believe that a healthy, pollution-free environment is the foundation of a peaceful society.

Our banner says it best: "Cleaning Our Community, Healing Our Land Together." A clean community is a peaceful community, and we are incredibly proud of our students for leading this change.

#PeaceEducation #EnvironmentalDay #Liberia #CPE #SustainablePeace

Young Minds, Lasting Peace: Our Students Reflect on Mediation

As this month draws to a close, our students at the Center for Peace Education (CPE) reflected on their deep understanding of mediation and the vital role of a mediator.

Through their creative homework assignments, our young peacemakers illustrated exactly what it takes to resolve conflict:

Frank: beautifully mapped out the mediator’s toolkit, noting that peace requires listening to both sides, encouraging empathy, and focusing on solutions, not blame.

Cherish: shared a powerful story about two friends, proving that a mediator’s true purpose is to make peace and settle disputes before friendships are lost.

Swaliho: drew a moving illustration showing a mediator standing between two opposing sides to bring peace among them and guide them to a win-win solution.

Oh YES! Our students are proving that they don't just understand the theories of peace; YES INDEED: they are learning exactly how to build it.

We are so proud of their reflection, creativity, and dedication to a brighter future for post-conflict Liberia! Thanks for your support.

#PeaceEducation #YouthForPeace #Mediation #Liberia #ConflictResolution

Transforming Adversaries into Partners for Peace

 This week at the Center for Peace Education, our students are learning that mediation is a pathway for adversaries to engage in constructive dialogue and work toward lasting peace.

They are also learning that insulting opponents, spreading false information, and violating confidentiality can escalate conflict, prolong suffering, and lead to unnecessary loss of lives and property.

Mediation requires deep discipline. At its core, mediation is about listening, understanding, and building sustainable peace.

#PeaceEducation #Mediation #ConflictResolution #BuildingPeace #CPE

Peace is a Choice. Mediation is the Way!

 This month at the Center for Peace Education (CPE), our students are learning about mediation and the role of a mediator.

During Week One, our students learned that mediation cannot succeed through public boasting, intimidation, or refusing to follow the guidance of a mediator. Such actions only escalate conflict and prolong suffering.

At CPE, we believe mediation is the essential meeting point where constructive dialogue transforms into lasting peace.

#PeaceEducation #Mediation #ConflictResolution #BuildingPeace #CPE 

Building Peace Starts in the Classroom

 “He who plants rice will not harvest thorns.” In my village, we know that what you put into the ground determines what you reap.

Last week at the Center for Peace Education, we finished our lessons on Values and Principles by asking our students to create their own "Class Contract." My heart melted when I saw their work:

Value: Kindness

Principle: Showing love to everyone

I am overwhelmed with joy seeing these young pupils embrace the lessons that form the foundation of lasting peace.

Together, we are planting seeds for a better and peaceful tomorrow.

YES! Thank you for your generous donations that make this work possible!

#PeaceEducation #PlantingSeeds #ValuesAndPrinciples #FutureLeaders

Peace is a Strategy, Not a Guessing Game

Throwing spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks is NOT a strategy, it simply means you are not grounded in values or guided by principles. You are hoping for luck; however, in the business of peace, there is no such thing as luck.

This week at the Center for Peace Education (CPE), our students are learning that peace does not come from random guessing. 

We are teaching them to stop throwing spaghetti and start using a map, their values, and a GPS, their principles, to guide their attitudes and behaviors.

People are suffering and dying simply because of a lack of genuine conflict resolution strategy. Peace CANNOT be left to chance. Absolutely, there is NO such thing as a windfall in ending conflict and building lasting peace.

Why the "Quick Fix" Often Fails in Conflict Resolution

"A hot-tempered person digs their own grave.” (East African Proverb). When we react in anger; through temper tantrums or unrestrained behavior; we do not resolve conflict amicably; we often make it worse.

At the Center for Peace Education (CPE), we believe that lasting peace is never built on a foundation of impulsiveness.

When we react with unhinged emotions or temper tantrums during a conflict, we aren't just destroying properties, hurting others, and/or killing innocent people; we are burying the possibility of a peaceful solution.

This week at CPE, our students are learning an important lesson: values and principles are not expressed through impulsive reactions, but through thoughtful and disciplined actions.

In other words, our students are exploring the vital difference between reaction and resolution. In essence, peace is NOT built-in moments of reaction, nor a reflex of emotion, OH YES, but in moments of sober reflection guided by strong values, YES Indeed!

From Values to Action: How We Live What We Believe

Shifting one’s principles and values before, during, or after conflict is like a chicken running without its head (i.e., frantic, chaotic, and without direction) Oh NO! When we abandon what we believe in, we lose our sense of purpose and judgment!

Conversely, standing firm in our principles and values; no matter the circumstances; BUILDS confidence, strengthens trust, and fosters social cohesion.

Over the past week at the Center for Peace Education, our students have been learning an important lesson: COMPROMISING one’s principles and values can have serious consequences. 

It can DAMAGE one’s integrity and standing in society, and in many cases, it can ESCALATE conflict, leading to the destruction of property and even the loss of innocent lives; WHAT A SHAME, STOP NOW, & LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS!

That is why we are intentionally equipping our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to understand this truth: OUR PRINCIPLES AND VALUES DEFINE WHO WE ARE! They reflect our identity, shape our character, and guide how we live and interact with others in our global community.

As we said in last week post, in essence, they are our internal compass (i.e., GPS), OH YES, guiding us toward the RIGHT PATH, even in the most difficult moments.

#PeaceEducation #Principles #Values #SocialCohesion #CPE #BuildingPeace

Principles and Values: Our Compass to Peace