Why is Education for Peace Important?
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EmailDisputes and conflicts may be inevitable but violence is not. To prevent continued cycles of violence, education must seek to promote peace and tolerance, not fuel hatred and suspicion.
The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the years 2001-2010 the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World".
It defines a culture of peace as 'all the values, attitudes and forms of behaviour that reflect respect for life, for human dignity and for all human rights, the rejection of violence in all its forms and commitment to the principles of freedom, justice, solidarity, tolerance and understanding between people'.
Essential for building a culture of peace is education for peace. The United Nations has called on every country to 'ensure that children, from an early age, benefit from education to enable them to resolve any dispute peacefully and in a spirit of respect for human dignity and of tolerance'.
Most disputes between people are solved without violence - but not all. If we are to move away from violence as a means to solve disputes at home and abroad we must work together to help young people learn how deal with conflict creatively and nonviolently.
Latest news from PEN members
| PPU News White Poppies are now available and can be ordered via the PPU website. Lots of Poppy related education resources also available. Read More... |
| Coventry University (CPRS) The centre runs a series of courses and applications are now being accepted for The Post Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution. Read More... |
| PRET News The Peace Research and Education Trust is currently supporting the work of the Peace Pledge Union in its Project on Conscientious Objectors. Read More... |
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