Peace advocacy & education

We help children and communities learn to be assertive, not aggressive — and to meet conflict with respect instead of harm.

A culture of peace

Peace is a skill we can teach

The foundation collaborates with people and organisations to foster a culture of peace — where people treat one another with respect, kindness and non-violence. We start with children, because the habits of respect and self-control are easiest to learn early.

Through aikido and classroom work, students learn how to stand up for themselves without aggression, to calm a tense moment, and to protect others. The same principle holds true in life as it does on the mat.

Frangipani flowers blooming along the quiet path to the foundation's dojo
Principles of peace

What we try to pass on

Assertive, not aggressive

Standing firm and protecting yourself without harming the other person.

Calm under pressure

Learning to steady the body and mind so a tense moment does not become a violent one.

Respect for others

Treating opponents, classmates and family as people worthy of kindness.

How advocacy becomes practical

Training, research, service and resources

Peace advocacy here is not a slogan. It shows up in workshops, school projects, public learning materials and patient community work.

Training and workshops

Sessions for children, youth, parents and practitioners on nonviolence, child protection and trauma-informed care.

School and community projects

Work with schools and local groups to make everyday spaces safer, kinder and more confident.

Research and learning

Using field experience and evaluation to improve prevention work and support people affected by violence.

Public resources

Articles, manuals, posters and leaflets that schools and communities can use beyond a single workshop.

Who leads this work

Dr. Sombat Tapanya

Our peace-advocacy work is guided by Dr. Sombat Tapanya, a clinical psychologist who specialises in the prevention and treatment of psychological trauma, with a long focus on anti-bullying and violence prevention.

He taught behavioural science at Chiang Mai University and has worked with UNICEF Thailand, the University of Oxford, and the Mekong Project, training therapists across Southeast Asia in the treatment of trauma.

Peace in schools

Beyond the dojo, we run community-based peace projects in schools — helping teachers and students build classrooms where children feel safe, heard and able to resolve disagreements without fear.