Student Peace Alliance

The Student Peace Alliance is a nonpartisan student action organization representing a growing constituency for peace across the nation. Founded at Brandeis University in the Spring of 2006 by Aaron Voldman and Julia Simon-Mishel [ [http://my.brandeis.edu/clubs/spa The Brandies Chapter website.] ] , Student Peace Alliance is a 501(c)4 organization, and has 100 chapters in the United States at high schools, colleges, and community youth organizations [ [http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/section/17/187/. The Peace Alliance Website.] ] .

Mission

The Student Peace Alliance unites youth from across the country around the common goal of establishing a Department of Peace. The Student Peace Alliance advocates for legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace through education and grassroots action [ [http://www.studentpeacealliance.org Student Peace Alliance Web site] ] .

Student Peace Alliance engages in, and develops support for, peace and non-violent initiatives across the United States in all levels of American life; including the local, state, and federal governments. These initiatives involve: grass routes awareness, research, volunteering, community service, activities with spiritual centers, violence prevention programs, conflict resolution, peace education, as well as raising awareness through the internet and popular culture [ [http://www.idahopeacealliance.org/StudentPeaceAlliance.aspx. Information about the "Mission" of SPA] ] .

Legislation

Currently, the Student Peace Alliance calls for a U.S. Department of Peace to effectively and efficiently implement policies that would centralize and unify peace building efforts domestically and abroad. With a legislative bill in the U.S. House of representatives (H.R. 808) that currently has 70 co-sponsors, Student Peace Alliance coordinates supportive efforts on a local and national level through various actions including, policy suggestions, research, citizen lobbying efforts, and non-violent peaceful demonstrations [ [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-808 The Department of Peace Bill] ] .

Principles

# Nonviolence: The Peace Alliance will uphold the highest level of regard for all individuals and organizations. We commit to operate with integrity, with open communication and with respect for people, environment, and process. We will endeavor to communicate our message in ways that do not do violence to the message itself.
# Cooperation: We will maintain an attitude of support and appreciation while working together on behalf of the common good. Our behavior will be consistent with our mission and core values as we strive to participate in a shared responsibility and shared leadership model.
# Harmlessness: We will strive never to compromise our core values and principles, and will maintain our nonviolent focus in all things.
# Clarity & Simplicity: We will maintain our focus as we keep things simple and work for the practical application of the vision and principles we share.
# Interconnectedness: We acknowledge that we live in a world of interconnected relationships; one world, and we take responsibility for the presentation and influence of our work. We will do what we can to support one another in our various areas of responsibility. It is our intention that all will experience success and be supported in their work.
# Inclusivity: We will endeavor to resolve all questions and challenges by taking a long view and making choices that meet the needs of all concerned to the best of our ability. When faced with a choice of focusing narrowly over expanding, we will include all in the process as we choose wisely and strive to create a world that works for everyone and is sustained as well.
# Understanding: We seek to work with loving understanding and a conscious realization of how we impact others and our environment, thus making wise choices.
# Honest Communications: We acknowledge that communication is key to manifesting peace, healthy relationships, and effective cooperation.
# Living a Culture of Peace: We will strive to be the demonstration of the principles and concepts inherent in the Department of Peace, as we live a Culture of Peace based on the principles of nonviolence and cooperation [ [http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/187/164/ Peace Alliance Principles] ] .

National Actions

* National Call in Action: In December of 2007 on the 3rd through the 7th, constituents for congressional districts all over the nation called in to their representative's office to advocate for the Department of Peace [ [http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588%3ATopic%3A24544 The Call in Action] ] .

* Valentine's Day Action: On Valentine's Day congressional offices all over the nation are visited by Student Peace Alliance members with Valentine's letters from constituents of their congressional district [ [http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/481/36/ The Valentines Day Action.] ] .

* Peace of the Pie Action: The annual Mother’s Day “Peace of the Pie” National Action Day! On May 9th (the Friday before Mother's Day), members of SPA and Peace Alliance take pies to their local Congressional offices, letting members of Congress know that “Peace wants a Piece of the Pie, which is 2% of the Federal Defence Budget [ [http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/LIVING/80601012/1004 Burlington Free Press] ] .

* Jack Johnson Action: SPA Organizers from around the country volunteer at these concerts. At each show, SPA will be collecting photographs of concert attendees showing their support for the Department of Peace as a start to the photo petition campaign. Jack Johnson has also agreed to match donations raised during the summer up to $2,500 [ [http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/allatonce/nonprofits Jack Johnson Endorsement for SPA] ] .

Endorsements

Most recently, Ben & Jerry's, the Vermont-based socially conscious ice-cream maker, announced that Aaron Voldman, Executive Director of the Student Peace Alliance (SPA) and a member of the Board of Directors of The Peace Alliance, is one of two nationwide winners of its "Peace Pioneer" contest. The announcement was made on May 27, 2008 at its New York City Times Square Scoop Shop [ [http://www.peacepartintl.org/ Ben and Jerry's endorsements] ] .

The bill is supported by 70 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, advocated by 35 cities, counties or other local administrations including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Lost Angeles, and San Francisco, and endorsed by 55 organizations including Amnesty International, NOW and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

The Greater Alliance

The greater Alliance, all of which have the goal of promoting peace and policies for peace, consists of The Peace Alliance, Student Peace Alliance, and Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace. Founded in 2004 by Maryanne Williamson, The Peace Alliance is an organization dedicated to, in coordination with national efforts, raising grassroots awareness in local communities about violence prevention and peace programs in order to influence congressional decisions for the creation of a Department of Peace [ [http://www.txdop.com/ The Peace Alliance goals] ] . Established in 2005, and operating in over 30 countries around the world, The Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace works on an international level promoting peaceful dialogue between nations through peace summits and global initiatives to establish Departments and Ministries of Peace [ [http://www.peoplesinitiativefordepartmentsofpeace.org/ People for the departments of peace.] ] .

List of Colleges, High Schools, and Youth Organizations, across the United States [ [http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/blogcategory/82/188/ List of Colleges.] ]

Seward High School,Flowing Wells High School,Horizoan High School,Aliso Niguel High School,Arroyo Grande High School,
University of California, Berkeley,
California State University Monterey Bay,
Carlsbad High School,
Del Dios Middle School,
Mira Costa High School,
Pacifica High School,
Palos Verdes High School,
San Dieguito Academy,
San Pedro High School,
Arvada High School,
Colorado State University,
Denver School of the Arts,
Denver University,
East High School,
Fairview High School,
Lakewood High School,
Regis Jesuit High School,
Regis University,
Thompson Valley High School,
Amity Regional High School,
Connecticut's Student Peace Alliance,
Smith High School,
Fair Haven High School,
Hall High School,
Mercy High School,
Miss Porter's School,
National Cathedral School,
Georgetown University,
Coral Shores High School,
Edison College,
St. Petersburg College,
University of Florida,
Boise Senior High,
Eagle High School,North Junior High,Student Peace Alliance of Idaho,
DePaul University,
University of Notre Dame,Westfield Washington High School,
McPherson College,
Shawnee Mission West,
Brandeis University,Cross Collegiate,
Endicott College,
Salem State College,
Wellesley College,
American University,
Northwestern Michigan College,
Schoolcraft College,
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor,
Wayne State University,
Concordia College,
Truman State University,
Mississippi University for Women,Western North Carolina,
Keene State College,Merrimack High School,
Plymouth State University,
College of Saint Elizabeth & Fairleigh Dickinson University,
Monmouth University,
Stockton College,Westfield High School,
Armand Hammer United World College of the American West,Homeschoolers of New Mexico,
University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
The Kew-Forest School,
Pace University,
University of Rochester,Vestal High School, Tri-C Metro Campus,Eisenhower High School,Oklahoma City Community College,Pilhomoth High School,South Eugene High School,
Cabrini College,
Neumann College,
Temple University,
University of Pittsburgh,
Winchester Thurston School,
Johnson & Wales University,
Lincoln School,
Augustana College,Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church,
Abilene Christian University,
Georgetown High School,James Madison,
Southwestern University,
Trinity University,
Christopher Newport University,
Lake Washington High School,
Pacific Lutheran University,Vashon Island,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

ee Also

*Non-violence

*Department of Peace

*U.S. House of Representatives

*Peace

*Conflict Resolution

References