Chile: Transforming conflicts: USS promotes a culture of peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Universidad San Sebastián (translation by CPNN)

In a world where conflicts are a constant in everyday life, the Universidad San Sebastián has launched the innovative Collaborative Project of Vinculación con el Medio (VcM) Transforming conflicts . Its objective is to strengthen the virtues and skills necessary to resolve disputes peacefully in the school community. Through this initiative, law students actively participate in mediation workshops at Colegio Providencia , promoting a culture of peace that transcends the classroom.

The initiative, which pays tribute to the Territorial Hito Program More Connected Citizens , seeks to introduce students from Colegio Providencia to the use of mediation and conflict resolution tools that allow them to address interpersonal tensions in a constructive and non-violent manner. The proposal, led by academic Alejandro Gómez, is carried out with the collaboration of law students from Universidad San Sebastián, who through talks and workshops contribute to the formation of a culture of peace in students.

“This project has a direct impact on both the professional and personal development of our students. Through mediation, law students not only apply the knowledge acquired in their degree, but also reinforce essential socio-emotional skills, such as empathy, active listening and assertive communication, which are fundamental to their comprehensive training, explains Alejandro Gómez, deputy director of the Center for Citizen Education at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the USS.

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Question for this article:

Mediation as a tool for nonviolence and culture of peace

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The intervention also involves Colegio Providencia and Colegio de Mediadores , who in a second phase of the project trained both students and teachers in advanced mediation techniques, allowing the entire educational community to have tools to deal with conflicts in a preventive and effective manner.

Varinia Penco, former president of the Colegio de Mediadores, highlights the importance of collaboration between the academic field and civil society organizations: “Joint work between academia and social organizations is essential to multiply the impact and generate real change in communities. This project has not only provided knowledge, but has also allowed us to build support networks that are the basis of a more empathetic and cohesive society.”

For her part, Laura Núñez, counselor at Colegio Providencia, highlights the value of the alliance with the University, “This collaboration has been fundamental. It has allowed us to introduce our students to concepts such as the culture of peace and non-violence, which not only enrich their academic training, but also have a profound impact on their personal development. The active participation of law students has been key for students to take ownership of these tools.”

Sebastián Pizarro, a USS law student, highlights how this experience contributes to his professional profile. “Participating in Transformando Conflictos has been an invaluable contribution to my training. Mediation work in schools has allowed me to apply the knowledge of my career in a real and significant context. It is not only an academic challenge, but also an opportunity to actively contribute to the construction of a more peaceful society.”

By integrating law and occupational therapy in the resolution of school conflicts, Universidad San Sebastián is contributing to the construction of a culture of peace and respect in future generations, demonstrating that education should not only train in knowledge, but also in values ​​that transform society.

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