Schools and Kindergartens for Peace and Climate Justice

2 days ago

4 min read

An International Educational Initiative as Part of the Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice

Dates: 21–27 September 2026

The Foundation “Transformation of Essence” invites schools, kindergartens, students, teachers, educational professionals, parents, and local communities from around the world to participate in the international educational initiative “Schools and Kindergartens for Peace and Climate Justice.”

The initiative will take place as part of the Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice, whose third edition will be held from 21 to 27 September 2026.

The Global Week is organised by the international Arms, Militarism and Climate Justice Working Group, which includes the International Peace Bureau, Peace Boat, Stop Wapenhandel, War Resisters’ International, Scientists for Global Responsibility, the Conflict and Environment Observatory, and the Transnational Institute.

The Foundation “Transformation of Essence”, a member of the International Peace Bureau, is promoting the Global Week and creating opportunities for schools and kindergartens in Bulgaria and other countries to participate through educational, creative, environmental, voluntary, and community activities.

Peace and Care for the Planet Know No Borders

Peace is more than the absence of war. It begins with the way we communicate, resolve disagreements, embrace differences, and care for people and the natural world.

Clean water, access to education and healthcare, a safe environment, social support, and protection during natural disasters are all essential elements of human security. When these conditions are absent, inequality, insecurity, and the risk of conflict increase.

Regardless of the country in which they live, all children share the same right to safety, education, a clean environment, and a peaceful future.

Through this initiative, global issues will be presented in an accessible, positive, and age-appropriate way. Political campaigning, partisan slogans, hate speech, and images or messages that could cause fear or distress among children will not be permitted within the educational setting.

Who Can Participate

Educational institutions and communities from all countries are welcome to participate, including:

public, municipal, and private schools;
kindergartens and early childhood education centres;
inclusive education and student support centres;
teachers and other educational professionals;
school psychologists, counsellors, and mediators;
student councils and youth clubs;
parents and school boards;
libraries, cultural institutions, and youth centres;
non-governmental organisations and local communities.

Participation is voluntary and free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Each institution may select one or more activities according to the children’s age, local culture, educational environment, and available resources.

Suggested Activities

Participants may organise:

“One Message for Peace”;
“One Hour for Peace and the Planet”;
“Parliament of the Future”;
the student challenge “100 Ideas for Peace”;
“The Green Corridor of Peace”;
the creative challenge “Peace and the Planet Through My Eyes”;
“A Message to the Leaders of 2030”;
“School Mediators for a Day”;
“A Minute of Silence – A Minute of Commitment”;
“A Kilometre for Peace”;
tree-planting and flower-planting activities;
the creation of a Peace Garden;
voluntary and charitable activities;
water- and energy-saving campaigns;
initiatives addressing aggression, violence, and bullying;
exhibitions, concerts, podcasts, videos, and digital projects;
activities supporting vulnerable children and families.

Kindergartens may participate through short, positive, play-based activities, such as a Tree of Kindness, Friendship Day, drawings for peace, flower planting, caring for birds and animals, creating a shared poster, storytelling, singing, dancing, and games that encourage sharing and cooperation.

How to Confirm Participation

No advance registration is necessary.

After completing their activity, institutions should submit a short report and supporting materials by 5 October 2026 to:

foundation.transformation24@gmail.com

By submitting the report, the educational institution will automatically be included in the initiative.

Materials may be submitted in Bulgarian or English. Institutions from other countries may also submit materials in their national language, accompanied by a short description in English.

The report should include:

Name of the educational institution.
Country, city or town, and region.
Title and brief description of the activity.
Name and position of the teacher or coordinator.
Contact email address.
Approximate number of participants.
Age group or school grades.
Between one and five photographs.
Optional video, publication, digital project, or student work.
Names of the individuals for whom personalised certificates are requested.

International Certificates, Plaques, and Recognition

The initiative is non-competitive. Every educational institution that carries out at least one suitable activity and submits the required report will receive official recognition from the Foundation “Transformation of Essence”.

The following forms of recognition are planned:

an electronic certificate for the educational institution;
individual certificates for teachers and educational professionals;
certificates for students and children’s groups;
honorary plaques for institutions demonstrating outstanding commitment and active participation;
special recognition in different categories;
presentation of participating initiatives on the Foundation’s website and communication channels;
the opportunity for selected materials to be published in the international magazine The Living Genesis;
the opportunity for the results to be presented to the International Peace Bureau and the partners of the Global Week.

Special recognition categories include:

“Active Community for Peace and Climate Justice”;
“Ambassador for Peace and Climate Justice”;
“Green Initiative with Community Impact”;
“Educational Initiative with Sustainable Impact”;
“Youth Voice for Peace and Climate Justice”.

Electronic certificates will be sent by email. Arrangements for the presentation and delivery of honorary plaques will be communicated individually to the selected institutions.

Protecting Children and Personal Data

When submitting photographs or videos, the educational institution must have the required consent for photographing and publishing identifiable children in accordance with the applicable national legislation.

If such consent has not been obtained, institutions may submit photographs of student work, displays, plants, decorated spaces, or other materials that do not show identifiable individuals.

Consent forms should not be sent to the Foundation. They must be retained by the participating educational institution.

One Global Week, Thousands of Meaningful Actions

Peace does not begin only within international institutions. It begins in the classroom, in the school playground, in the way two children treat one another, and in the way people care for their shared home.

Every tree planted, every disagreement resolved through dialogue, every message of kindness, and every idea expressed by a child contributes to building a culture of peace.

We invite schools and kindergartens around the world to join us and demonstrate that education can reach beyond borders, languages, and differences.

Organise your initiative between 21 and 27 September 2026 and submit your materials by 5 October 2026.

Let us connect schools, kindergartens, and communities from different countries around one shared cause: a peaceful, fair, and sustainable future for every child.