How to Coexist? The Power of Education

Throughout the Coexistence: Case Study on Peace & Change Buddies Without Borders Online Forum competition, we asked participants to broaden their horizen and search across the world for the best practices. Today, we would like to shine a spotlight on one of the Top Finishers - Vaishnavi Mukhi, a 12th grader from Strawberry Fields High School, India.

Here is the excerpt from Vaishnavi on global education programs across the world:

Building more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies starts with education (UNESCO). Education is often touted as the foundation of a peaceful society. Hence, peace education is something to be practiced around the world to promote peace, change and unity. People from all origins and cultures may connect via education, so by fostering these interactions, the role of peace education facilitates the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences, thereby promoting understanding and empathy (EuroSchool). These interactions allow individuals to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and embrace diversity.

Innovative educational programs have shown remarkable success in promoting peace and sustainable change. For instance, the “Education for Peace” (EfP) initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina integrates peace education into school curricula, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect (Sara Clarke). Such programs aim to transform the mindset of young individuals, equipping them with the tools to handle conflicts non-violently and to appreciate cultural diversity.

Educational practices have shown significant potential in promoting peace and to make a positive change. For instance, UNESCO promotes global citizenship education to help learners understand the world around them and work together to fix the big problems that affect everyone, no matter where they're from (UNESCO, “Global Citizenship and Peace Education”).  Similarly, the Central Asia Institute highlights that education can break the cycle of poverty and conflict by empowering individuals with knowledge and skills to improve their lives and communities (Central Asia Institute, 2022).

One study by UNESCO shows that nearly 60 million people could escape poverty if all adults had just two more years of schooling. (UNESCO, “World Poverty Could Be Cut in Half If All Adults Completed Secondary Education”) So, if poverty were reduced, violence would follow suit.

Despite their success, educational initiatives face significant challenges. In regions with ongoing conflicts, access to education is often disrupted, making it difficult to implement and sustain such programs. Additionally, deeply ingrained prejudices and socio-political dynamics such as impact of war can hinder the acceptance and effectiveness of peace education (Muthanna et al.). For example, in some areas, community resistance or bias to curricula (WIKIPEDIA) perceived as foreign or ideologically biased can pose substantial barriers to implementation (Sadker).... In conflict-affected areas, schools are often targeted, and access to education is disrupted, making it difficult to sustain such initiatives (Justino). In some conflict-affected regions, such as Myanmar, there are created education barriers for girls barriers due to security reasons because, schools are often targeted or occupied by armed groups, creating an unsafe learning environment. These challenges highlight the complexity of using education as a tool for peace around the world and the need for innovative approaches to overcome these barriers.

Addressing these challenges requires a sophisticated approach. Combining traditional educational methods with community-based learning can enhance acceptance and effectiveness.  Programs like the “Children’s Peace Theatre” in Toronto use arts-based education to engage children and communities in peacebuilding activities, fostering creativity and critical thinking (Golden, Children’s Peace Theatre).  Moreover, involving local leaders in the design and implementation of educational programs ensures that they are culturally sensitive and community-oriented, thereby increasing their impact and sustainability as they cater to their specific niche (Joseph and Said)... The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) advocates for integrating peace education into national curricula, ensuring that children learn conflict resolution and critical thinking skills from a young age (Collins).

Nowadays online platforms and digital resources can reach marginalized and conflict-affected communities, also providing access to peace education even in the most challenging circumstances...  What role can digital education play in ensuring that peace education goes global?

See all teams' ideas, comment on their proposals, and vote for your favorite team in the People's Choice Award category. Join us to make the world a better place!