Dimapur, Nov. 3 (EMN): A training programme about the importance of “peace education” in educational institution for “peace educators” was conducted by the Peace Channel on November 2 at the Libemo Memorial School in Wokha. During the event, the speakers talked about the reasons why peace-centred education is required as part of education.
‘The magnitude of peace education in the educational institution has become a felt need in our society. In order to enable people to live together in harmony and resolve conflicts in a non-violent manner, peace education needs to be imparted through education in cooperation and mutual support, deep-seated concern for others over concern for self,’ the organisers stated in a press release.
The Peace Channel issued a press release to the media informing about the proceedings of the programme.
During the event, Garrol Lotha, project coordinator at Peace Channel, was the resource person for the training program. She spoke about how individuals having negative perspective towards conflict usually fall prey to conflict, which in turn gradually lead to violent conflict.
‘Conflict is not always negative, it also have potential productive outcome and it solely depends on how one tackles the conflicting issue,’ she said. The resource person also talked about ideas and concepts that the participants perceived about peace, conflict, and the causes that lead to conflict.
Focusing on the different perspectives about conflicting issues, Lotha explained ‘different methods of analysing conflict.’ She urged the participants to be analytical thinkers and to deal with conflicting issues without violence, the press release stated.
Quoting RD Laing, she said, “Peace education is an attempt to respond to problems of conflict and violence on scales ranging from the global and national to the local and personal. It is about exploring ways of creating more just and sustainable futures.”
Elaborating further on the topic “Importance of peace education in educational institutions,” she said ‘peace education focuses mainly on peace,’ according to the press release.
“It equips the learner with the skills, attitudes and values that one should possess and to establish, maintain or contribute to peace, enables an individual in preparing the field from where peace should sprout as the natural growth from the individual and conscientized, mature and educate the individual towards attaining a perfect human social condition for coexistence.”
Lotha then highlighted the purpose of imparting ‘peace education’ in educational Institution. It is concerned with helping children understand values, morals and dignity; develop mutual understanding and to respect other people’s culture; provide a strong platform to the young to speak out against injustice, violence, discrimination etc.
Further, it aims to provide practical tools for peaceful living including skills and methods for conflict resolution and violence prevention, she said. It aims to help in developing the child with an effective, integrated and positive personality, she said.
“It will not only help the students but will also help the teachers to identify effective strategies and practices that could transform the school into a place of harmony and peace. In her concluding note she buoyant the peace educators to meticulously intervene and avail every avenue towards promoting peace in the society,” the press release added.
