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The West African Network for Peacebuilding publishes its guide for culture of peace and non-violence in the schools:
un article par Amadou Diop, Le Soleil, Senegal (abridged)
A national consultation on the theme "Education
for peace and non- violence in schools" opened
yesterday in Dakar. Organized by the Senegalese
section of the West African Network for
Peacebuilding (Wanep), the activity is motivated
by the observation that there is very little
consideration of education for peace and non-
violence programs and strategies in the education
sector.
click on photo to enlarge
A guide for peace education for Wanep was launched
yesterday at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. This
is part of a national consultation focused on
promoting the culture of peace and non-violence in
schools. The idea is to "develop a peaceful school
environment at all levels." This guide is based
on experience in seven countries in West Africa as
well as the experiences of Wanep. Hence it will
be considered the reference document for education
for peace and non-violence.
According to Bijoue Birch, one of the panelists, the
challenge is to develop a strategy for implementing
peace education and evaluating its role in psycho-
social behavior.
Of concern to the panel are the manifestations and
consequences of conflict and violence in
Senegalese schools, youth and education programs
for non-violence and peace in West Africa and the
role of school directors in the creation of a
culture of peace in schools.
The actors intend to contribute to the development
of educational strategies for the analysis of
practices of peace education and assessment of
the relevance of educational guides for the
implementation of education for peace and non-
violence. According to Gaspard Onokoko, a member
of Wanep, the challenge is to "facilitate the
exchange about various experiments on the causes
of conflict and to build capacity in promoting a
culture of coexistence." "We also want to propose
a plan of action for the training of trainers ,"
he added.
For the coordinator of Wanep in Senegal , Alfred
Gomis, "the motivations are research, construction
and consolidation of peace at all levels ." In
his opinion , we must "act to contribute to the
development and the advent of a peaceful school
environment at all levels ."
The representative of the Minister of National
Education, Inspector Dibor Bakhoum , welcomed the
consultation which "will be in line with
recommendations of the ECOWAS Reference Manual on
peace education." He said such a move "will help
inform the decision-making for a quality education
through a diagnosis ."
Concerning conflicts in schools, Gaspard Onokoko
argued that our schools have become fertile soils
for social inequality and violence. "We must
build a society based on differences that are
enriching: forgiveness, tolerance and a culture of
peace and human rights." . .
(Click here for a French version of this article)
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) liée(s) à cet article:
Peace Studies in School Curricula, What would it take to make it happen around the world?
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Commentaire le plus récent:
During the Asian Educators Symposium, we found out that Peace Education is still not part of the school curriculum in most countries. However, the participating teachers have been incorporating peace education in their teaching subjects, such as English, social studies, and character education. We all agreed that love and the will to nurture peace in children are the most important basis for peace education. Even if peace education is not a part of the curriculum, peace can be taught through any subject. Whatever you are teaching, if it comes from the heart, then it will touch the minds of children.
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