Partnerships

Peace Talks

Project History
In the fall of 2001 residents and other stakeholders were invited to come to a common table - "North Clareview Community Crime Council" (NCC Crime Council). This committee was a place to share information, support, resources, and collaborate on projects that would help the community in sustainable efforts to reduce and prevent crime. A partnership was developed with NCCC and ACTS to address gaps in the community concerning bullying behavior. Originally the project was called BEAT (Bullying Education Awareness Team) and was changed to Peace Talks to better represent the project objectives.

Peace Talks is a community collaboration project between Alberta Conflict Transformation Society (ACTS) and Northeast Clareview Crime Council. The project is to work primarily with students and staff within the schools and communities to address the gaps in bullying behavior. Using a broad approach involving the school, community, and parents, Peace Talks will utilize a variety of tools to support schools and communities as we work towards increasing awareness of and working at decreasing bullying behaviours. Currently, Peace Talks is working with the following school communities in efforts to reach youth and adults: Balwin, Highlands and John D Bracco.

Peace Talks is a three-year pilot project that started in July 2005. This project is evaluating the program on an ongoing basis and will re-evaluate how it has reached its goals at the end the three-year term.

Partners
Alberta Conflict Transformation Society (ACTS)
Clareview Community Crime Council
Edmonton Public School Board Representatives
Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET); Edmonton Police Service
City Of Edmonton: Community Services
Children Services: Northeast Office

Peace Talks Goals:

  • Raise awareness of and provide an avenue for youth, schools and communities to discuss bullying;
  • Assist schools in creating a holistic approach in dealing with bullying;
  • Support schools in the promotion and development of anti-bullying tools and programs;
  • Partner with schools, communities and stakeholders interested in addressing bullying behaviour.
Statistics
  • 60% of kids who are identified as bullies by the age of 8 will have a criminal conviction by the age of 24
  • Bullying occurs on average every seven minutes and lasts about 17 seconds
  • Children who are bullied are usually too scared to ask for adult help
  • The emotional scars from bullying can last a lifetime
Reference: (Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 2005)

Contact the Peace Talks Coordinator Carolyn at 780-944-2992