Youth Pledge of Nonviolence

Making peace must start within ourselves and in our school.  As members of (name school), we commit ourselves as best we can to become nonviolent and peaceable people.

To Respect Self and Others
To respect myself, to affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism,
hateful words, physical or emotional attacks, negative peer pressure,
and self-destructive behavior, including abuse of alcohol and drugs.

To Communicate Better
To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express my anger
and other emotions, to work at solving problems peacefully,
and to encourage an open system of communication throughout the school.

To Listen
To listen carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me,
and to consider others' feelings and needs as valid as my own.

To Forgive
To apologize and make amends when I have hurt another,
to forgive others, and to keep from holding grudges.

To Respect Nature
To treat the environment and all living things with respect and care
and to promote environmental concern in the school.

To Recreate Nonviolently
To select activities and entertainment that strengthen my commitment to nonviolence and that promote a less violent society, and to avoid social activities that make violence look exciting, funny or acceptable.

To Act Courageously
To challenge violence in all its forms whenever I encounter it,
whether at home, at school, at work, or in the community, and to stand with others who are treated unfairly, even if it means standing alone.

This is our pledge to keep our promise to build a more peaceable school.

"Eliminating violence, one school at a time, starting with our own.”

 “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”