Learning peace

The countries of Central America are still contending with the aftermath of the civil wars of the 1980s and 1990s. The violent clashes in Columbia, dictatorial governments and the systematic exclusion of groups such as indigenous and African American populations are all relicts of past conflicts. Slow processing of human rights violations and widespread impunity from prosecution combine to impede the prevention of further conflicts. At the same time the extremely uneven distribution of income leaves people with the sense of a lack of prospects that finds expression in violent criminality and the formation of gangs (maras). People whose daily lives are marred by violence and volatile circumstances contribute – often without considering their actions – to the continuation of violence.

Numerous state and civil organisations are working to combat these developments, but often lack the necessary know-how to successfully implement concepts. Peace education’s goal is to lessen these tendencies. It bases measures on the scientifically founded conviction that a constructive approach to violence can be learned.

Participants in InWEnt’s peace education course are trained to teach peace and educate others to do the same. The advanced training programme is directed at people who educate teachers, managers from ministries of education, and members of non-governmental organisations. The course receives support from InWENt’s Global Campus 21® online platform. Over the course of more than a year, seminars, workshops and job shadowing assist participants in putting their newly acquired knowledge of conflict transformation, human rights or gender into practice.

The project’s message is clearly being heard. In Columbia, for example, the peace education measures have inspired the founding of a teacher training institute. Maria Miyela, a course alumnus, is one of the founders of the “Escuelas Rurales” (rural schools) Institute: „I upgraded my skills in a relatively short time and now approach my work with much more self-confidence.”

D+C online: Peace can be learned