through mastering the knowledge, skills and competencies of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), & Peace Education (PE).
By Bob Ingram
*This is Part One of a Two Part Series. Please see the 2nd edition of this newsletter coming out October 1st to read the rest.
When my friend Matt Perelstein first suggested I write about how EQ4Peace views the importance of the roles of Emotional Intelligence(EQ), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Peace Education (PE) are in co-creating the necessary attitudes, social climate and even cultural norms necessary to begin to visualize a World at Peace much less for us to achieve it, my first thought was no way – it is too big, too grand, too impossible. Then I paused and considered – Why not?
So here I am giving it a shot and I ask all who read this to have patience, tolerance and grace as I attempt to weave a tapestry of ideas together that may, just may allow us to accomplish the EQPEACE Vison, Purpose and Mission which are stated below:
EQ4PEACE Vision Statement
“A World at Peace with all its citizens incorporating EQ, SEL and PE at home, school and work.”
EQ4PEACE Purpose Statement
“To educate people everywhere on the skills, language and attitudes necessary to enable individuals, families, companies, organizations, communities, and nation-states to bring EQ, SEL & PE into practice working together to create a Climate and Culture of PEACE, (Intra-personally [self], Interpersonally [me & you], Intra-socially [US, Teams, Families, Groups, etc…] and Inter-Socially [Organizations, Communities, States, Regions, Countries, Global, etc…].”
“The mission of EQ4Peace is to create global peace by cultivating inner peace (self), interpersonal peace (others) and social peace (communities) through emotional education (Emotional Intelligence (EI); Social Emotional Learning (SEL); and Peace Education (PE)) – worldwide by 2039.”
(Many of these terms have multiple yet differing interpretations so the necessity to have a common understanding of what is being referenced is a must. Remember this is how we at EQ4PEACE are defining the terms and concepts to facilitate movement and accomplishment of our Vision, Purpose and Mission. I only ask that you make every effort to remain open and receptive to our viewpoints before reaching you’re your own decision regarding our Vision, Purpose and Mission.)
To begin this collection of concepts it would be good to establish how we (EQ4PEACE) define certain terms, concepts, and ideas. So, let’s start with some of the central terms necessary to get our heads, heart, and hands around this wonderful yet daunting challenge and opportunity – A World at Peace.
Peace: “EQ4Peace recognizes PEACE as an outcome of thoughts, feelings and actions of the head and heart with the resulting message being one of kindness, empathy, compassion, appreciation and care.”
Emotional Intelligence (EQ): “Is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups. Per a general definition provided by Wikipedia states Emotional intelligence (EI), Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EIQ), is the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and adjust emotions to adapt to environments. ( Link to Wikipedia ). Emotional Intelligence also reflects abilities to join intelligence, empathy, and emotions to enhance thought and understanding of interpersonal dynamics. In short, we like to use this statement to sum it all up – ‘Emotional Intelligence is the ability to be smart about emotions.’ – a fusion of Thinking, Feeling and Actions”
Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. (Link to The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)). It is the process of developing and using social and emotional skills. It’s the skillset we use to cope with feelings, set goals, make decisions, and get along with — and feel empathy for — others. (You also might hear SEL referred to as socio-emotional learning or social-emotional literacy.)
- Social-emotional learning helps kids [and adults] work on things like coping with feelings and setting goals.
- It also helps with interpersonal skills like working in teams and resolving conflicts.
- In schools, an emphasis on social-emotional learning can help reduce bullying and disciplinary incidents.
CASEL goes on to state that there are five key areas (core competencies) that make up SEL:
- Self-awareness , like identifying emotions, recognizing strengths and needs, and developing a growth mindset
- Self-management, like managing emotions, controlling impulses, and setting goals
- Responsible decision-making, including thinking about the consequences of personal behavior
Peace Education (PE):” Peace Education (PE) is the process of acquiring the values, the knowledge and developing the attitudes, skills, and behaviors to live in harmony with oneself, with others, and with the natural environment. (Peace education – Wikipedia) Additionally, Peace Education promotes the knowledge, skills and attitudes to help people prevent conflict occurring, resolve conflicts peacefully, or create conditions for peace. (Peace In Sight)”
We at EQ4PEACE believe that when EQ, SEL, and PE are melded and focused on the development of individuals’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, character, and relationships (personal, academic and occupational), the opportunity to develop a powerful, effective and efficient methodology (the HOW) for co-creating, achieving and sustaining a personal, relational and societal World at Peace (the WHAT).
Imagine if you will, that – we, you, me, and all the others of this globe, are committed to weaving a Tapestry of Global Peace to leave a legacy for those who follow us. What would it look like, feel like, sound like? Where would we start? What would we need for it to become alive and living?
I suggest that it starts just as a song called Let There Be Peace On Earth by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller says –
“Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.”
Read Part Two in the October 1st issue!!!
Social awareness, like seeing things from other people’s perspective, showing empathy, and appreciating diversity Relationship skills, like communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution
