5th iNet International Conference, 26 28 November 2008

See the student resources and read the discussions

As you read this, there are around 30 wars taking place in the world. In today's conflicts, most of the people killed are civilians, and as many as two-thirds of these may be children. The effects of fighting extend well beyond the immediate deaths and suffering: they also cause environmental damage, the destruction of homes and other infrastructure, long-term mental health problems to civilians and fighters, and poverty.

Oxfam is an international development agency that works with others to overcome poverty and suffering. Oxfam believes that young people can change the world in which they live. We're very grateful for their help in putting together the following information and discussion sheets to help students investigate issues about conflict and peace, and think about how to bring peace to our planet.

• Global peace - what are the issues? - an examination of why conflict happens.
• Conflicts are happening now - looking at today's wars, and how they compare to past conflicts.
• What is peace? - asking what we are aiming for in trying to resolve conflicts.
• How can the international community bring peace to the world? - the UN, and its approaches to conflict resolution and prevention.
• How can individuals and groups of people help bring peace? - looking at past figures (eg Ghandi), and how protests and the internet impact on conflict today.
• After the conflict - healing and reconciliation - how countries and communities are rebuilt after the end of a conflict.

The sheets can be printed out, but if distributed electronically to your students they will also be able to follow links to useful websites.