Peace Education

 "There is no way to peace, peace is the way"
A. J. Muste

A culture of peace will be achieved when citizens of the world understand global problems; have the skills to resolve conflicts constructively; know and live by international standards of human rights, gender and racial equality; appreciate cultural diversity; and respect the integrity of the Earth.  Such learning can not be achieved without intentional, sustained and systematic education for peace. Read 101 Peace Ideas to find inspiration for action.  

The urgency and necessity of such education was acknowledged by the member states of UNESCO in 1974 (Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) and reaffirmed in 1995 (Declaration and Integrated Framework of Action on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Democracy).  (In other words, your country made commitments to integrate peace education into your education systems.)  It is time to call upon ministries of education, educational institutions and policy makers to fulfill the commitments.

To infuse a culture of peace all educational systems throughout the world need to develop the capacities, in teachers and learners, to face challenges of unprecedented proportion: the continued development of weapons of mass destruction, armed conflicts between states and ethnic groups, the spread of racism, gender inequality, community violence, the huge and widening gap between the rich and the poor throughout the globalised economy, massive violations of human rights and the degradation of the environment.

In order to meet the challenges posed by these interwoven problems, the coming generation deserves a radically different education.  People need the skills and knowledge to create and maintain peace.  Peace Education is a holistic, participatory process that includes teaching for and about human rights, justice, gender equality, environmental sustainability, disarmament, and human security.  The methodology of peace education encourages reflection, critical thinking, cooperation, and responsible action.  It promotes multiculturalism, and is based on values of dignity, equality, and respect.  Peace education is intended to prepare students for democratic participation in school and society.

To accomplish these tasks, the Campaign works in a networking style and depends on the support and collaboration of local and international educators, organizations, researchers, youth activists, and policy-makers committed to Campaign goals.  Those active in the Campaign design and share curricula relating to local and international issues; organize workshops and conferences; train and inspire youth to educate for peace in their schools and communities; create forums, working groups and delegations to meet with government and education officials; develop peace education resource centers; train teachers to teach for peace; and participate in international networks to advocate for the inclusion of peace education into schools and communities.

Suggested Action
- Visit the Campaign web site http://www.haguepeace.org and http://www.ipb.org/web/index.php 
- Find out who is participating in the Campaign for Peace Education in your country
- Connect with and support the Youth Program
- Organize or join local Campaign events
- Subscribe to Peace Matters, the newsletter of the Hague Appeal for Peace
- Advocate for peace education (postcards are available from HAP)
- Read "Learning to Abolish War" (available from the HAP web site) and other peace education resources http://www.peace.ca