The Foundational Learning Systems Gap The earliest years represent an extraordinary period for human development. During the first five years, children undergo rapid transformations in language, cognition, self-regulation, relationships, and learning. Development does not occur within the child alone; it emerges through interactions among children, caregivers, learning environments, and communities (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). Yet the systems surrounding young children are of

Introduction – The Problem Young people globally are coming of age during a period of extraordinary access and extraordinary uncertainty. Education, digital connectivity, and artificial intelligence are expanding access to knowledge, networks, markets, and possible futures. At the same time, young people face economic insecurity, climate disruption, political instability, conflict, rapidly changing labor markets, and increasingly polarized digital environments. The economic c

Background This invitation—“Not preparation for the world as it is, but participation in the work of making the world anew”—is the central theme of this paper. In response, I agree and posit that by making grassroots efforts of social education and civil diplomacy toward a caring world, a Pedagogy of Care, calling back to Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, it is possible to influence and win those who want these things. The reality is that not all will want these thing

WISE-ED’s Community Model for Learning Across Every Age and Stage Learning is life and Life is learning. Lifelong learning is the belief that education does not begin and end inside a classroom. It begins in early childhood, continues through school, expands through youth leadership, grows through work and community life, and remains essential through adulthood. For WISE-ED, lifelong learning is not only an education concept. It is a community development strategy. In many un

How IDOP, Bridge of Hope Clubs, and Little Bridges SEL Strengthen WISE-ED’s Peace and Learning Model Play is not a break from learning. Play is one of the deepest ways children learn. For WISE-ED, play is more than recreation. It is a pathway to social emotional learning, peacebuilding, confidence, teamwork, creativity, communication, problem-solving, and belonging. Through the International Day of Play, Bridge of Hope Clubs, and the Little Bridges play-based SEL curriculum,

PRESENTED AT CIES 2026 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Introduction – the Problem There have been many efforts to create peace in modern times, but our world remains a place of conflict, tensions, and wars declared and undeclared, disguised, unconventional, unrestricted. When one situation seems to be settled, several new situations arise, like weeds in a garden. These have the common roots of ambition for power and wealth, greed, fear, vengeance, desperation, and frustra

Growing Love to Create Peace The Bridge of Hope (BOH) Clubs use schools as community anchors where young people can learn, play, lead, serve, and grow together. Through football, STEM, social-emotional learning, art, culture, environmental action, financial literacy, and global citizenship, BOH gives learners practical ways to build confidence, discipline, empathy, teamwork, and hope. The model recognizes that peace is not created only through speeches or policies; peace is b

Presented at: World Council of Comparative Education Societies Conference Beijing Normal University Beijing, China, 2016 Comparative and International Education Society San Francisco, California, USA, 2019 - James Michael Brant World Institute for Social Education Development President The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of grass roots community participation occurring in two community centers in China. (Later studies add similar models from Russia, Ke

As we gather around warm meals and familiar faces this Thanksgiving, WISE ED pauses to reflect on a year that has been nothing short of extraordinary. 2025 has been a season of growth, connection, and purpose for our community. From expanding our learning initiatives to welcoming new students, mentors, and partners, WISE ED has continued to evolve into a vibrant ecosystem where everyone can learn, lead, and belong. As we look back on this year, one theme rises above all other

By Michael Brant - President of WISE-ED Introduction – the Problem There have been many efforts to create peace in modern times, but our world remains a place of conflict, tensions, and wars declared and undeclared, disguised, unconventional, unrestricted. When one situation seems to be settled, several new situations arise, like weeds in a garden. These have the common roots of ambition for power and wealth, greed, fear, vengeance, desperation, and frustrat