Foundation Overview
The Partnership to Encourage Acceptance, Caring and Empowerment in Schools (PEACE IS) Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation promoting non-violent solutions within the school system. This foundation was created as a collaborative response to the many incidences of violence within the school system on St. Maarten.
With the broad community involvement, PEACE IS aims to build a future St. Maarten school system that is characterised by reduced levels of violence and greater levels of respect and tolerance. More specifically, the objectives of the organization are to:
1. Shape and change student and teacher behaviours so that healthy learning environments are created in which students and teachers feel safe and respected, students learn alternatives to violence, have high self-esteem, give respect, are tolerant of other people’s differences, celebrate commonalities and work together as a community.
2. Implement a conflict-resolution education programme at the primary school level.
3. Train teachers in the knowledge and skills of conflict resolution.
4. Raise the levels of consciousness of parents and members of the wider society in respect to conflict resolution.
5. Where necessary, promote or assist with the implementation of facilities, equipment or targeted programmes within the school system with the aim of creating peaceful environments.
6. Foster partnerships with organisations and people with relevant expertise, as a means of achieving the other stated objectives.
HOW WE GOT STARTED
On its 25th anniversary celebrations in February 2007, NAGICO took the bold initiative of sewing the seed for the establishment of PEACE IS. The very socially conscious Company saw this approach as another way of giving back to society. Following the announcement, NAGICO made contact with various interested individuals within the community, including persons with experience in Education, Social work, Law enforcement and Business to form the membership of the foundation. PEACE IS was officially incorporated at the notary offices of Schaepman & Speetjens on May 7 2007.
Executive Board
President: Glenville Blake
Vice President: Cornelius de Weever
Secretary: Ludmila Duncan
Foundation Members
Josianne Fleming
Cassilda van der Neut
Wycliffe Smith
Olga Mussington
Dilys Alphonso
Shelly Lake
Erna Mae Francis