Message from Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle

“I have written many books, curricula and workbooks for adults who live or work with young people so that they can help young people to avoid the torment I experienced early on in life with this abusive behavior called “playground bullying”.

I originally thought when I wrote the book Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me? A Guide to Handling Bullies for young people that this was all there was to it. But then I began to think about it and realized that bullying had many faces, so to speak.

I then wrote Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Us? Understanding the Roots of Prejudice. This then lead to my creating curricula on what I now think is a full picture of all the levels of bullying –– from the playground to the battlefield –– for I now realize that what starts out on the playground with individual bullying is the starting point for group bullying called war –– that the very structure and nature of playground bullying is the same as in international conflict.

Youth Peace Literacy was started in order to educate young people about the roots of conflict as manifested in bullying behavior. In order to accomplish this goal we offer our books online for free to young people and adults, in the hopes that each will benefit greatly and be able to see into the conflict around them. We also offer specialized training for adults that live or work with children.

The curricula and workbooks we have developed address the full range of the bully/victim cycle, so young people can become literate in peace, and can gain the skills and understanding to resolve conflict peacefully – from the playground to the battlefield.“

Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle’s History

For almost 40 years, Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle worked with the Atrium Society to help young people, educators, and communities better understand conflict, bullying, prejudice, and peace education. What began as a small educational initiative grew into an internationally recognized organization that reached schools, organizations, and families around the world. Below is a look back at some of the major moments, projects, and milestones that Dr. Webster-Doyle was involved in.

1984

The Atrium Society was Founded

The Atrium Society, a nonprofit, nonsectarian, nonpolitical organization, was founded by Jean Webster-Doyle, Peace Educator, in Ojai, California, USA. Dr. Webster-Doyle became Director of the Atrium Society.

The intent of the Atrium Society was to encourage healthy spiritual living and to provide education and materials about the divisive nature of psychological conditioned thinking that is at the root of individual, social, and global conflict.

Please note: The Atrium Society officially closed in 2026 and is no longer in operation.

1985 – 1989

Pilot Program in Ojai

With Dr. Webster-Doyle’s educational direction, the Atrium Society ran a pilot middle/high school from 1985-1989 in Ojai, California to investigate ways to implement curricula on psychological conditioning to educate young people about the roots of conflict.

1990

Developed Innovative Programs

Because of his concern with the need for young people to have the confidence to stand up to the bully, from 1990 until 2026, Dr. Webster-Doyle devoted his energies to creating and promoting the Education for Peace Program. The Education for Peace program liberates young people from the conditioned, divisive thinking at the root of bullying, racism, and war.

Dr. Webster-Doyle also designed the innovative Martial Arts for Peace program to bring forth a martial art that helped young people to learn the skills to avoid, resolve and manage conflict intelligently. The Martial Arts for Peace program includes a special focus on developing mental and physical confidence so that children do not react in a fight or flight manner to bullying.

1991

Children’s Disarmament Day

The Atrium Society organized the Children’s Disarmament Day in Middlebury and Burlington, Vermont. Over a thousand people attended and the Governor of Vermont, then Dr. Howard Dean, established a peace education day due to this event.

1991 – 1996

Presented at International Peace Conferences

Dr. Webster-Doyle presented his work at three International peace conferences in Paris, Montreal, and Vermont.

2002

At-Risk-Youth Project

Dr. Webster-Doyle and Jean Webster-Doyle started a special project to work with Youth At Risk Centers in Canada and the USA.

2004

Initiated International Programs

Helped to initiate programs in Australia, England, and Iran. In 2004, Dr. Webster-Doyle certified Mr. Marvin Davis of Liberia as trained in Youth Peace Literacy for West Africa to represent and teach the programs there.

2021

Projects in Nigeria & South-East Asia

Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle and Jean Webster-Doyle provided resources and training to the ASHH Foundation in Nigeria to train teachers and students throughout Bauchi State, Nigeria.

They also supported and trained Rajib Timalsina, a professor of Peace Education at Tribhuvan University in Nepal and leader of the Asia-Pacific Region at the International Peace Research Association. Rajib teaches and travels extensively throughout Asia, bringing BioCognetic peace education to the most vulnerable and in need.

1984 – 2023

Speaking Engagements

Dr. Webster-Doyle spoke to Rotary Clubs, Veterans for Peace in the USA, and other non-profits in the USA.

Awards & Acclaims

Dr. Webster-Doyle was one of the most renowned authors and educators in the field of peace education. He wrote numerous internationally acclaimed, award-winning books and programs to help young people understand and resolve conflict peacefully.

  • Ten-time Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing.
  • Awarded the Robert Burns Medal for Literature by Austria’s Albert Schweitzer Society, for “outstanding merits in the field of peace-promotion”.
  • Acclaimed at the Soviet Peace Fund Conference in Moscow and published in Russia by Moscow’s Library of Foreign Literature and Magistr Publications.
  • Selected by the International Association of Educators for World Peace for their Central American peace education project in Panama and El Salvador.
  • Selected by the National PTA as a recommended resource for parents.
  • Endorsed by Scouting Magazine and Sports Illustrated for Kids.
  • Were chosen as a focus, and highly praised at the International Congress for Teachers for Peace, Paris, France.
  • Invited to the Soviet Union in 1989 by Mrs. Gorbachev and the Soviet Peace fund.
  • The Youth Peace literacy books are archived in perpetuity at No Gun Ri International Peace Foundation, South Korea.
  • Archived at the Samara State Academy of Culture and Arts, Samara Russia.
  • Are We Born Hardwired for War? Is War in our DNA? presented at International Conference of Museums of Peace in South Korea sponsored by the No Gun Ri International Peace Foundation.
  • Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me? cited by the Omega New Age Directory as one of the Ten Best Books, for its “atmosphere of universal benevolence and practical application”.
  • Approved by the New York City Board of Education.
  • Selected by the American Booksellers Association for its resource listing of “Children’s Books About Peace”.
  • Presented the National Conference on Peacemaking & Conflict Resolution.
  • Archived in perpetuity at the University of Connecticut’s Northeast Children’s Literature Collection, Swarthmore College Peace Collection and the University of Southern Mississippi’s de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection and at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima Japan.
  • Archived in perpetuity at No Gun Ri International Peace Foundation, South Korea and Samara State Academy of Culture and Arts, Samara Russia.
  • On permanent display at the International Museum of Peace and Solidarity in Samarkind, Uzbekistan, the Commonwealth of Independent States.
  • The Center for Applied Psychology, Inc. cites Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle as an “eloquent leader of the movement to combine principles of education, psychology, and the martial arts to teach young people to resolve conflict peacefully.”
  • Fighting the Invisible Enemy and Tug of War recommended by the Elementary School Library Collection as “fine contributions to materials for children”; both books also chosen by the British Commonwealth Collection – A Selection of Books and Journals on Nonviolence and Social Change.
  • Fighting the Invisible Enemy – Understanding the Effects of Conditioning was published in Russian by Detskaya Maya, the leading Russian teacher’s magazine and serialized to all the teachers throughout the country in 1988.

“Every publication from the pen of this author should make a significant contribution to peace within and without. Highly recommended!”

New Age Publishers and Retailers Alliance Trade Journal

“These topics are excellent and highly relevant. If each of the major countries of the world were to have ten Drs. Webster-Doyle, world peace is guaranteed to be achieved over a period of just one generation.”

Dr. Charles Mercieca, Executive Vice President, International Association of Educators for World Peace, NGO, United Nations (ECOSOC), UNICEF & UNESCO
  • “Dr. Webster-Doyle’s work on peace promotion and solving conflict nonviolently, especially for young audiences, is groundbreaking and brilliant!”
    Dr. Michael D. Knox, Chair, US Peace Memorial Foundation
  • “Helps young people deal with conflict and violence by describing practical skills for peace.”
    Holistic Education Review, Presented at the 1995 UNESCO-sponsored International Educators for Peace Congress
  • “The book, Why is Everybody Always Picking on Us? explores the roots of prejudice. I don’t think I’ve seen another book like it. How wonderful if this book could be used in one’s social studies classroom! I have learned where prejudice begins, how it is created, how it is perpetuated, and how it can be resolved. This book looks at stereotypes, bigotry, discrimination, scapegoating, racism, and more. It is a wonderfully comprehensive manual for young people and adults alike on understanding our conditioning and the root of prejudice.”
    American Pride Through Education
  • “[Dr. Webster- Doyle is an] eloquent leader of the movement to combine principles of education, psychology, and the martial arts to teach young people to resolve conflict peacefully.”
    Dr. Lawrence Shapiro, Center for Applied Psychology
  • “These people are truly extraordinary, and their thoughts should be considered as we design the new exhibits. Their message is in part that all creatures have a “flight or fight” instinct that is set in place instantly by frightening experiences. This is, in turn, perpetuated by exposure, actual or imagined, to any creature that even resembles the object of their fear. The actions of others, and propaganda, strengthen these responses. I talked with these people about their successes in Liberia, rehabilitating child “soldiers.”
    Harold Foley, Museum Director, New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum
  • “Helps young people deal with conflict and violence by describing practical skills for Peace.”
    Holistic Education Review
  • “It would be wonderful if children all over the US would read Facing the Double-Edged Sword. Adults too.”
    George Leonard, Contributing Editor, Esquire
  • “I am a school principal, a parent and martial artist. I just wanted to thank you for this incredible book [Operation Warhawks] about how young people become conditioned to be warriors. This is the most unusual book that I have ever bought for my children! And perhaps the most important! I want to tell people that if you are concerned about war and what you can do to help your children understand what creates it, then get this book. You could save their lives. Again, many thanks for this intelligent peace-educating book.”
    Dr. Phillip Ramos
  • “We have just completed training our Israeli and Palestinian Karate Instructors in your Character for Kids program and are using your book Fighting the Invisible Enemy to teach our young brown and black belts about understanding the effects of conditioning. Some of our instructors actually risk their lives to teach this peace-enhancing material, as the bullies in our region are real terrorists …the ones you only read about. There is no doubt that this is a tremendous step for such a violent region where hatred, violence and distrust is the norm.”
    Sensei Danny Hakim, Founder, Chief Instructor of Budo for Peace, Israel
  • “One Encounter One Chance is a wonderful work of art (personally, I think you should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize).”
    Michael McGinty, Shotokan Karate Ballybofey, County Donegal, Ireland
  • “The book excels at impelling children to understand how conflict works within themselves. Tug of War offers engaging exercises that enhance a child’s ability to understand the world. These exercises inspire self-observation, and the drawings of award-winning illustrator Rod Cameron enliven the book.”
    Newsletter of Educators for Social Responsibility
  • “Thank you for Eye of the Hurricane. We are unaware of any other resources which address the concept of using the martial arts for peaceful purposes… We are pleased that at last someone has presented a healthier view of karate for children, and for their concerned parents.”
    Hampton Educational Center, Grand Rapids, MN
  • “These books are an asset to Martial Arts instructors, students and parents of all styles, ages and rank levels. Don’t just place them on your shelf! Read them again and again.”
    Marilyn Fierro, Owner and Chief Instructor, Smithtown Karate Academy, Smithtown, New York
  • “Webster-Doyle’s insight … are good for teachers and parents of school children who need appropriate language and activities to help children deal with their feelings and the violence-provoking parts of their environment.”
    Young Children, Magazine of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • “The books of Dr. Webster-Doyle are the first attempt I have seen to explain to young people and adults the concept of martial arts as a peaceful, nonviolent ‘way of life’ and to give students the tools to accomplish this goal.”
    Linda Lee Cadwell
  • “The materials were very helpful to the facilitators who conducted the workshop on bullying strategies.”
    New Jersey State Bar Foundation
  • “Your book (Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me?) has really helped me ignore the bullies; and in a way, stop bullying others.”
    4th grader
  • “I realize Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me? urgency for every child and adult. My daughter couldn’t stop reading it!”
    Marina Dubrovskaya, Assistant Director, Dept. of Sociology, Lenin Library, Moscow, Russia
  • “We use his books and thoroughly endorse the usefulness of his methods which have high potential in schools.”
    Stewart W. Twemlow, M.D. Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis, Menninger Clinic, Martial Arts School owner
  • “For the many years of our collaboration, you gave us useful knowledge and many lessons of peace experience for hundreds of Samara students. Samara Society for Cultural Studies had declared you as The Personality of Culture of Peace in 2020.”
    Vladimir I. Ionesov Professor, Founder and Chairperson, Samara Society for Cultural Studies, Samara, Russia

Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle, 1940-2023

He was an author who had a Ph.D. in Health and Human Services, a Master’s Degree in Humanistic Psychology, a life-time secondary and community college teaching credential, and 6th degree Black Belt. He taught at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Community College in California in Psychology, Philosophy, Youth at Risk studies, and Education for Peace.

He was a respected educator in the field of Bully/Victim Cycle from the “playground to the battlefield”, having written over 100 internationally acclaimed, award winning literary works for young people and adults that focus on understanding what prevents peace – prejudicial conditioned thinking emanating from the primitive biological brain.

Dr. Webster-Doyle worked with youth at risk and developed conflict education programs for young people, combining principals from education, psychology, and the Martial Arts for Peace. He presented workshops worldwide and has written an extensive number of books and curriculums on Martial Arts for Peace education and social issues for young people and adults. These peace educational materials have won many awards for excellence.

Due to his pioneering work in the field of BioCognetics, the International School of Advanced Research in Cultural Studies gave Dr. Webster-Doyle the title of Honorary Professor of Samara State Institute of Culture, Samara Russia.

In his personal life, he married Jean Webster-Doyle and was a father to 5 girls.

He was a great innovator in childhood education and his work is important for understanding how the psychological conditioning of the mind prevents peace. We should all strive to carry it forward to create a more peaceful society for the present and future.