Solihull schools plant for peace as 100th pole is installed in UK

The Poles have been planted at Greswold Primary School in Solihull and Lady Katherine Leveson CoE Primary School in Temple Balsall as part of a drive by Rotary to tackle the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

The plantings mark the latest in a Heart of England Rotary community initiative that has just seen the 100th Pole installed at a school in Bromsgrove last week.

The presentation at Greswold was attended by Rotarians, the Head Karen Scott and several teachers and members of the School Council, prompting many questions about the origins of the Peace Pole movement.

Karen Scott said: “Grewsold’s Peace Pole is well known to all. It is used as a place of sanctuary and calmness, where pupils visit, particularly at breaktimes, to be mindful.

The future plan is to build a friendship bench around it so it becomes a place where pupils can seek out a buddy to play with or there is someone there to talk to if needed.”

At Lady Katherine Leveson School, the Poles was installed in their “quiet corner”, attended by the Head Neil Kitching and several children.

Neil Kitching said: “The Peace Pole in the prayer garden is well used by children, providing them with a tangible symbol to gather around as they learn and practice the principles of harmony and respect in our school and the wider world. The Pole often has a group of children gathered round, with children, where their native language is not English, who are happily explaining to their friends, what the different characters mean.

"In a world that can sometimes be unpredictable, the Peace Pole in our school’s prayer garden stands as a gentle beacon of hope and steadiness for our children who use it as a place for quiet contemplation and unity."

A Peace Pole is also on its way to Tudor Grange Primary Academy Langley. They have been planted in schools and community gardens throughout the West and East Midlands, spanning Birmingham, Coventry, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire, as well as six in Southern Ireland, including two universities.

Made from recyclable materials, the Poles give a powerful message ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth,’ which can be conveyed in eight languages, reflecting the school/ community in which they are planted. Braille can also be included.

The idea originated in Japan in the wake of the destruction wrought by the second World War and the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was adopted by the World Peace Society Charity and became accepted by the UN as a one of the accepted International Symbols of Peace.

Rotary’s Peace Project Co-ordinator, Margaret Morley, said: "I have been overwhelmed with the way the project has taken, off and feel so proud that Rotary is proving a lasting legacy for generations to come. With the help of Rotary, schools and communities are causing a ripple effect of peace, that spreads far and wide, transforming lives. We are looking forward to planting the next 100!”

Margaret added: “Schools really see the value as they use as part of their Peace Education Curriculum and the younger we start to encourage children to think about peace and solving conflict without violence, the better, especially in today's society. “They have also become used as an area for children to be able to reflect. Peace Gardens, Areas of Tranquility/Refelection are so good for the mental wellbeing of young people. This also encourages environmental and creative projects.”

"The Peace Pole is a constant reminder that we are working together to create a caring and compassionate society. Children love them, ceremonies can be planned around them to encourage a culture of peace within the school.”

Each year the Rotary also awards more than 100 fully funded Peace Fellowships training for dedicated leaders around the world. And, since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centres have trained more than 1,500 fellows across 115 countries, many of which now serve as leaders in governments, the military, education, law enforcement and international organisations like the United Nations.

Rotary’s commitment to peace, also takes many other forms such as carrying out service projects, supporting peace fellowships and scholarships.

Amal Rampal, District Governor for Heart of England Rotary, said: “Peace is a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission. We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. We believe when people work to create peace, in their communities, the changes can have a global effect.

“Peace Poles are an internationally recognised symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family.

“Today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution and human rights violations. Half of them are children! If Rotary is to create an environment where peace should prevail, where better to start than with our children.”

Any schools or organisations interested in finding out more about Peace Poles are invited to contact Margaret Morley at: [email protected].