(left to right) Opening panelists for the CCI Forum: Jose Altamirano, Director of IDPPS, Lilian Samaniego, Paraguay Senator, Alfredo Jaegli, President of the Paraguay National Congress, Luis Scaso, OEI representative, and Hermelinda Alvarenga, vice-minister of Higher Education.

Dr. Moon has emphasized character education as a crucial part of educating the whole child. The following is a report on the work of Global Peace Foundation and its partners to implement character education in Paraguay.

Since 2008, Paraguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture, in partnership with Global Peace Foundation has placed added emphasis on character competency education.  With the belief and understanding that is commonly held by organizations including the YMCA and the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, that academic competencies are not enough to equip students with the tools necessary for a successful future, additional  curriculum has been introduced. This includes areas that focus on character and leadership skills such as communication, mediation and service.

In early June of this year, Phase I of the Character and Creativity Initiative (CCI) program was successfully completed. During this initial phase over seven hundred teachers were trained and educated in the CCI curriculum.

On June 17th, following the conclusion of Phase I, newly trained educators, students, teachers and administrators, convened for a forum on “”Character Formation of Paraguayan Youth”” at the National Congress of Paraguay, a sponsor of the forum. Global Peace Foundation, Ministry of Education and Culture, the Office of Congresswoman Lilian Samaniego, Together for Education and the Organization of Inter4American States (OEI) at the Congress of Paraguay were additional sponsors.

What was meant to be a modest gathering of educators, students and legislators, turned into a full house.  500 plus individuals, from all 17 states of Paraguay, gathered to share their experience and input on how their schools have been changed through the character education curriculum.  They also voiced their hope for continued implementation of the curriculum. This unexpected turnout forced organizers to “bring hundreds more chairs” to accommodate those who found themselves “standing at the rear and on the steps of congress.”

The forum was opened by the President of the Congress, followed by the unveiling of Phase II of CCI by GPF’s CCI Director, Juan Carlos Tominaga. Phase II will focus on nurturing creativity and building a transformative school culture. Ministry of Education officers, principals and teachers expressed their enthusiasm for the next phase of CCI.

As can be seen with the enthusiastic turnout at the CCI Forum in Paraguay, the curriculum is showing the importance of educating the whole child, both their minds and hearts to secure the success of future generations.

– To view the original article visit: www.globalpeace.org.

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Students at Lagata High School, a secondary schools implementing the Character and Creativity Initiative in Kenya.

While Dr. Moon was attending Harvard Business School, Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, came to speak. Dr. Moon recalled a student asking Mr. Buffett, “What type of person are you looking for to inherit your foundation?” Mr. Buffett responded that he didn’t know what he was looking for, but he knew what he was not looking for. He did not want a very smart, very well-educated person who did not have character.

As Warren Buffett’s reply demonstrates, academic competency is not enough to prepare students for their futures as heads of households, employees, owners, leaders and good patriotic citizens in a rapidly changing world. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 65% of today’s grade school students will end up at a job that hasn’t been invented yet.

When addressing the issue of education, a firm knowledge base is just one facet of the whole issue. Students also need essential character competencies. Skills such as communication, motivation, focus, dependability, and strong principles and values are the foundation for success and happiness.

A study by the Pew Research Foundation found that a majority of Americans say it is necessary to believe in God in order to be moral and have good values. Yet, the spiritual component is rarely brought to the table when dealing with the issues of education.

Recognizing the importance of spirituality, Dr. Moon points out that effective character education has a spiritual core. Because humans are both physical and spiritual, without acknowledging the whole person, character education becomes shallow.

Students cannot grapple with fundamental issues such as human rights, freedoms and character without acknowledging the spiritual dimension of humanity.

Therefore, whether their future careers will be in technology, entrepreneurship, politics, non-profit or education, Global Peace Foundation is working to ensure that students are equipped with the character and moral and innovative leadership competencies that are guided by universal principles and values for the success of their lives, communities, and nations.

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Global Peace Foundation reported the success of the Character and Creativity Initiative in Nairobi Secondary Schools.

Dr. Manu Chandaria (center) with some of the school’s best-performing students.

In recognition of the successful implementation of GPF’s Character and Creativity Initiative at Maina Wanjigi Secondary School in Nairobi, the school welcomed GPF senior advisor and Kenyan corporate leader Dr. Manu Chandaria as the chief guest at a ceremony on June 26, 2013.

Addressing students, teachers, administrators, and dignitaries at the ceremony, Dr. Chandaria praised the Character Competency Initiative, which emphasizes qualities such as respect, personal integrity, and determination as part of the curricula, and said that plans are underway to engage the Ministry of Education to expand the initiative from 40 secondary schools to 400 secondary schools nationwide.

 “Without knowledge and character, we will not have bright future as a nation,” Dr. Chandaria told the assembled guests. He had previously opened the event by formally inaugurating the school’s new administration block, which was built through the support of a Constituency Development Fund.

Other invited dignitaries included Hon. Yusuf Hassan, a Member of Parliament representing Kamukunji, and Hon. Maina Wanjigi, a former Member of Parliament and patron and namesake of the school.

Hon. Wanjigi brought students and parents to attention when pointing out, “Luck is the extension of ability,” and “ability is the first child of discipline and determination.” He commended the good work that school is undertaking in guiding the students. And he thanked parents for entrusting their children to the school.

Hon. Hassan urged students to resist the appeal of drugs and criminal activity. He advised parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children and also pledged additional support in modernizing the school’s infrastructure.

Hon. Yusuf Hassan, a Member of Parliament, encouraged parents to stay involved with their children.

The school was established in 1989 as a mixed day school to address the urgent needs of the surrounding community through basic education and literacy classes, and special programs to combat crime and drug abuse. In a testimony to the school’s impact since the school’s founding, a majority of graduates have continued their education at local and international universities.

 This article originally appears on www.globalpeace.org.

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