In honor of mediation week, which took place Oct. 11 – 19, Pepperdine University and Our Lady of Malibu (OLM) School hosted an opening ceremony for Peer Mediation on Friday. OLM is the first school in Malibu to implement the program, launching a wave of constructive ideas for children to approach conflict resolution at school, home and with their peers.
The ceremony included an opening prayer by Father Bill Kerze, thoughts from Professor Tim Pownall Straus (Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine Law School) and Dr. Amora Fisher (Justice 4 Youth founder, J.D Extern Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine Law School). Malibu Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rod Bergen presented certificates of achievements for those supporting the Peer Meditation and Peace Talk Circles within the community.
A large group demonstration on peace took place before participants broke up into smaller groups. During the Peace Circle, children were given the opportunity to speak from the heart while holding the “talking stick” and learned new ways to look at conflict.
After the Peace Circles, a buffet lunch was served while musicians Adam Strange and Marque Strong performed, organized by Tommie Trudeau. Peace Circles are scheduled to take place throughout the Malibu community.
