WORLD PEACE AND OTHER 4TH-GRADE ACHIEVEMENTS interweaves the story of a remarkable teacher and the extraordinary game he developed to demonstrate the complexities of peace and global conflict.
Few teachers would expect their nine- and ten-year old students to be able to make political decisions about complex military, economic and environmental matters. But then few teachers are as unique as John Hunter. Hunter's extensive travel through China, Japan, and India, and his exposure to the Gandhian principles of non-violence, led him to ask what he could do as a teacher to work toward a more peaceful world.
The result was the World Peace Game, a hands-on political simulation exercise that allows 4th-grade students to tackle real world issues on a global scale, including the imminent threat of war.
The students are divided into groups, including nation states, the World Bank, United Nations officials, indigenous peoples and even arms dealers. Then they face daily challenges ranging from insurgencies and global warming to ethnic tensions and natural disasters. Working together, while also balancing the interests of their own "nations," they attempt to achieve global prosperity with the least amount of military intervention.
As fun and engaging as the game it profiles, WORLD PEACE AND OTHER 4TH-GRADE ACHIEVEMENTS is an inspirational look at the lasting impact that one wise and caring teacher can have on his students and, potentially, the world.
Festivals and Awards:
Finalist, 2010 Japan Prize
The BendFilm Festival, Bend, Oregon
Bergen International Film Festival, Bergen, Norway (Winner, Audience Award)
Boston Film Festival, Boston, Massachusetts (Winner, Mass Impact Award)
The Global Peace Film Festival, Orlando, Florida
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Newport Beach Film Festival, Newport Beach, California (Winner, Outstanding Achievements in Documentary Filmmaking Award)
Peace on Earth Film Festival, Chicago, Illinois
Red Rock Film Festival, Springdale, Utah (Winner, Grand Jury Award)
South by Southwest Film Festival, Austin, Texas (World Premiere)
United Nations Association Film Festival, Palo Alto, California (Winner, Youth Vision Award)
Virginia Film Festival, Charlottesville, Virginia
John Hunter participated in the prestigious 2011 TED Conference. Click here to view his presentation.
Produced by Rosalia Films.
