The A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Peer Leadership Program fosters the development of leadership skills within the context of social justice. This comprehensive program provides outstanding resources and a clear implementation plan to promote the development of knowledge and skills young people need to create respectful, inclusive schools and communities.

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Peer Leaders take active roles in addressing issues that most concern them, as they work together to build schools, communities, and organizations where differences are valued and respected.

Program Philosophy

Created by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Peer Leadership Program is based on the following premises:

In the face of recent incidents of school violence, educators point to statistics that support the contention that schools are safe, however, 60% of secondary students have identified prejudice, discrimination, and violence as serious concerns in their schools.

• Peer groups are powerful influences on the attitudes and behaviors of their members.
• When young people come face to face with the realities of intolerance, they are often highly motivated to take action.
• Peer Leaders need to learn and practice basic skills and competencies to be effective.
• Skill development occurs best when Peer Leaders are first exposed to a body of knowledge and then have opportunities to integrate that knowledge into their lives.

Training
To be effective leaders, youth need opportunities to learn about social justice issues and to develop and refine their leadership skills. This process begins with anti-bias training for peer leaders and program coordinators. Facilitated by ADL training specialists, this 2-3 day initial training is interactive, hands-on, and designed to address the specific issues being faced by peer leaders in their schools and communities.

Weekly Meetings
Following this initial training, peer leaders meet weekly as a group. Weekly meetings have three primary functions:

• to increase peer leaders' understanding of social justice;
• to continue to develop peer leaders' leadership skills;
• to provide peer leaders with an understanding of their roles in making justice and equity realities in the world around them.

Taking Action . . .
Once this process is completed, Peer Leaders are involved in developing their own ideas, setting their own goals and working together to create unique programs that promote respect in their schools and communities.

INFORMAL OUTCOMES: Peer Leaders develop the knowledge, skills and motivation to effectively challenge the name-calling, put-downs, and insensitive remarks that are all-too-common occurrences in the halls of their schools. And because students have a powerful impact on one another's attitudes and behaviors, the climate of the school and community begins to change.

FORMAL STRATEGIES: Peer Leaders learn the process for setting goals and creating detailed plans for action. The activities of Peer Leaders vary from school to school and often include Peer Leaders creating opportunities for their peers to talk together about the issues that deeply concern them.

A few typical program ideas developed and implemented of A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute Peer Leaders:

READING PROGRAM
Elementary School Program where Peer Leaders select and read books to younger children that represent the experiences of diverse peoples.

PLAYS and SKITS
Peer Leaders write and perform skits that promote intergroup understanding and respect

"PAINT-OUT DAY"
Peer Leaders organize campaign to eliminate graffiti that reflects bigotry in their community

The Program Components

ADL's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute PEER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM includes:

Anti-Bias Training


• 2 - 3 days training retreat for peer leaders
• 1 - 2 days training for program coordinators
• 1 day training for school or agency staff
• 1/2 - 1 day training for parents and other family members(optional)

Print and Video Resources


• 98-page comprehensive Manual for Site-Based Coordinators
• Manual for Peer Leaders includes handouts, worksheets, and resources
• ADL print and video resources - As one of the nation's largest distributors and publishers of human relations resources, including outstanding videos and activity guides

Partnership Framework


As an active school-community partner, ADL provides the consultation, support and assistance that contributes to the success of the Peer Leadership Program

For additional information about the Anti-Defamation League's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute PEER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:

Director, Peer Education
Anti-Defamation League
The Golub Center
184 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, NY  12203
PH:  518-694-9987
FAX: 518-694-9988
e-mail: albany@adl.org