ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the Peace Gardens for Schools and Community Project initiative - a vision of transforming schools and communities as peace gardens that are designed with the intention to create cultures of peace thus bringing people closer to conditions of global peace. All schools are unique in their configuration - grade levels served, physical location, architectural structure, available resources, climatic and geographical conditions, and so on when undertaking to conceptualize and construct peace gardens. Maximization of indoor and outdoor space that are sections of the whole school peace garden allows for utilization and beautification of the school environment in creative ways. Spaces designed for quiet sitting, reading, studying, meditation, and reflection might be sheltered with vine-covered trellises, plants that have fragrant flowers that have a calming effect on the senses. The chapter also reviews the historical, humanitarian, and cultural values of gardens central to the evolution of civilizations.
