PEACE EDUCATION IN CANADA

The Peace Education Program is an innovative series
of video-based and interactive workshops that
helps people discover their own inner resources.

“The Peace Education Program tries only to achieve one simple thing: it is to put you in touch with yourself.” – Prem Rawat: author, international speaker and founder of The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF)

Video: Helping People Discover Personal Peace

The Peace Education Program was first offered in Canada in 2012, in a college for indigenous students in Saskatchewan, for seniors in Ontario, in health and wellness facilities in Quebec and in correctional facilities in 3 provinces. It is currently being offered in organizations serving the humanitarian sectors of corrections, social services, addictions, homelessness, poverty, food insecurity and adult education.

The teamwork among the volunteers in the roles of facilitator, technical support, promotions and communication includes people from across Canada and is based on the principles of collaboration by those who share a vision for teamwork, excellence and appreciation for being involved in this excellent program.

The Peace Education Program continues to be offered via Zoom and in person to interested community groups and people discovering the program for the first time.

PEP Growth in 2023:

Volunteers attended a virtual correctional educators conference out of Calgary with 160 delegates, our 90-minute presentation. This opened doors for working with educators in correctional facilities across Canada, in supporting their efforts to offer the Peace Education Program to incarcerated people. Over 30 educators applied for licenses to facilitate the program in their workplace or community.

Canadian volunteers offered the Peace Education Program to nine different groups in 2023 including staff who are working in social service organizations in both Canada and internationally.

The mother of an incarcerated person in a prison in Manitoba contacted The Prem Rawat Foundation, requesting information on how to offer the Peace Education Program in that facility. A group of volunteers from across Canada formed a team around this woman. After 18 months of effort, the program was accepted and is being facilitated by the prison educators.

What’s New in 2025?

The Vancouver Peace Education Program (PEP) volunteers have been active in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) community since early 2023, conducting regular sessions amid a neighborhood known for challenges like homelessness and addiction, but also for activism and arts.

 

Timothy Duncan McLeod's 3rd PEP certificate

Timothy McLeod Receives his 3rd Peace Education Completion Certificate… “When I first came I was exhausted and now my whole life has taken a U-turn.”


During 2023-2024, the team hosted four PEP courses at Evelyne Saller Community Centre with 87 attendees. Three people completed the 10-week course. In 2024-2025, the team hosted four PEP courses at Carnegie Community Centre with 77 attendees with 11 people completing the course.

On August 28, 2024, the “Power to Change” full length documentary was screened at a large community centre in the Downtown Eastside , which attracted 42 people and generated interest, leading some attendees to sign up for future courses.

Several well-known local aid organizations help by putting the Peace Education Program posters on their bulletin boards and promoting the course to their clients.


 

Learn about the Program

https://tprf.org/peace-education-program/

Participate in the Program

If you and/or people from your community wish to participate in a Peace Education Program, please send a request to:

pep@tprf.org

Introduce the Program

If you are involved with a community group, not for profit organization, NGO or government organization, please contact us if you need help in introducing the program:

pepinfocanada@gmail.com

Offer the Program

We can help people who have participated in the Peace Education Program prepare to offer the program in their community. When you are ready to proceed and would like help and guidance, please contact us to tell us about your interest:

pepinfocanada@gmail.com

TPRF Canadian Support Team Representatives

Annelies Bertsch in Western Canada

anneliesbertsch@tprf.org

Marielle Comeau in Eastern Canada

mariellecomeau@tprf.org