Stratford woman chosen for international peace studies

29th July 2010

A   STRATFORD woman has been chosen by Rotary International to be a World Peace Scholar, to attend an intensive three month study programme in Bangkok and Cambodia. In June, next year, Mary Stanley heads for Bangkok, with 24 other world scholars, to study Peace and Conflict Resolution.Out of a very tough worldwide selection process, scholars are chosen for their leadership qualities. These scholars will study together to work towards world peace at Chulalongkorn University then travel to Cambodia to study and practice Conflict Resolution. “I am very proud to be accepted by Rotary, locally, nationally and internationally, to study this international curriculum,” she said. “I’d like to personally thank Stratford Rotary, Graeme Talbot and In Stitches for their support,” said Mary. Originally from Seattle, Mary is a New Zealand citizen and she has been living in Stratford for six years. Mary has two Masters Degrees. one in Teaching and one in Social Sciences.
She taught troubled teenagers in the US, and after moving to New Zealand, became a resource teacher for Learning and Behaviour.Since obtaining a diploma on Child Protection Studies, Mary has been researching workplace bullying and will write her thesis on the subject.

“Workplace bullying is quite prevalent in New Zealand, as in many western countries. It’s a hidden problem and as prevalent as domestic violence.
“Many New Zealand and senior management and directors who provide weak and unsure attempts to deal with workplace bullying, in fact collude with the bully and make life worse for the victim.
“Other counties, such as England and Canada, are working vigorously to protect targets of workplace bullying. In fact, England is the first country to start a hotline that targets of workplace bullying can ring to seek advice and support.  “A recent Massey University study estimates that one person in four in New Zealand is bullied at work. These targets take this stress home to partners and children, which causes tension in the home.
“Many of these children then take this tension with them to school. The problem spreads, and we all are affected by workplace bullying, one way or another.” When Mary returns from her studies she plans to consult with companies and lecture on workplace bullying.
However, her long term goal is to work towards ending human trafficking.
“There are ten times more humans trafficked now than at the peak of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
“My ambition is to work with an international organization to assist in the fight against human trafficking.”  When Mary returns from her studies, she plans to consult with companies and lecture on Workplace Bullying. If you have a Workplace Bullying story you’d like to share, feel safe to contact Mary at: spreadpeace4u@hotmail.com.
The Bangkok study programme was to have taken place last month, but the civil unrest in that city meant things were put back a year.