Education for PEACE

The schools in my country are compulsory to have Moral Education for pupils from primary to middle school. In the lessons the pupils learn all the social behaviors and activities associated with codes of ethic or moral education in general. The contents of moral educations include 17 major topics. One of them which I would like to mention is how to avoid, to solve and to settle disputes peacefully. If the pupils could put what they have learnt into actual practice in daily life there will be very helpful for them to create a harmonious society. Other topics are concerning with forming of moral behaviors and other valuable items like honesty, tolerance, royalty, bravery, kind heartedness, sympathy …… Since we have such a system of education I think it’s not necessary to have a special school to learn only "peace".

I completely agree with you yanstill. When I was younger, it was generally accepted in society that tolerance, communication, accepting peoples' differences and similarities were the only acceptable ways for individuals and countries to behave. War and fighting was something which wasn't acceptable, unless someone or another country attacked yours. Negotiation in hostile situations was always the way to deal with these things if possible. However, nowadays I'm horrified and very concerned by the way that society has changed its stance: understanding, tolerance and acceptance are seen as stupid and weakness; fear, ignorance, bigotry and violent knee-jerk reaction is being promoted by the UK government and the media in the UK too. It seems that society has lost all reason and moderation (which is always the best way) has given way to blind panic. I think that the TV and newspapers need to stop their panic-mongering and sensationalist scare-tactics, and start to be responsible and moderate. Many people are very influenced by the media in the UK, so it's their responsibility to stop playing into the hands of the extreme points of view, and to be balanced in their approach. Schools should teach tolerance and understanding, and communication skills so that children don't grow up to be bigoted and unbalanced in their view of the world and people around them. I think that such an approach should be applied by all of the teachers in subjects like history, geography, and language lessons, and in school assemblies. There should also be debating societies, so that students could learn to put forward arguments for both sides of any case, and understand opposing points of view, the good and bad in both. Thank-you for an excellent post yanstill! Let's hope it inspires people to think about their own viewpoints and those of others too.

Well, I know people who graduated from military schools who are now in the Peace Corps, or are pacifists now. I also know people who were raised to be pacifists who volunteered for the military to go to Iraq or Afghanistan. Most people who go to military schools, or even join the military aren't war mongers any more than people who go to Police Academies are out to shoot criminals. I learned a lot more about other cultures in the military than I ever did just living overseas. While in the US Army I worked with people from a lot of other countries. I helped deliver food, medical supplies and other necessities to a lot of people in a lot of counties... including my own. Can you say that for the "freedom fighters" in Iraq? Nope.

you are absolutely right and a very great thought from you about this education for peace.. I think military schools are essential for the safeguard of a country as it trains students with various skills to protect their nation.But persoanally i hate war and dont support any country which entertains war either inside their own country or with some other country. Actually iam also a victim of ethnic war that is still going on in sri lanka.We moved to our home country India from there in the 80's still when i was a kid and there is not end for it even now.negatiation prooves meaningless for both the sides who are runing innocent peoples life.

I think education for peace must start at home, should be focused on from kinder to university, and, for sure, has to be a primary topic for every Christian. To be peaceful and able to reconcile is more than a technique, although I agree with you that learning to handle conflicts is very important. Peace is an attitude, not only of individuals, but first of all, of society itself. There are actually many influences at work in order to make society more violent, entertainment industry, for example. Most solutions to conflict shown in movies and tv are violent solutions. I decline to think that those movies and tv-series "only represent reality". If this were true, our countries would be a very hell to live in. Nevertheless, the saddest example of how to fail in their mission of peace, gave those Christians and Christian leaders who agreed with attacking a nation they had only a vague idea about, not even in defense, but ...why? This couldn't possibly be out of love for the enemy? Blessed are the peacemakers...

i am in the country of mahatma gandhi, who with bare hands fled british from our country.peace and non violence wre his weopens and that proved worthy even in other countries. so let us follow his path by spreading his ideas to whole world.........

I don't think you can educate someone about peace by providing weapons and teaching them how to fight, etc. That's doing the exact opposite in my opinion. Fighting doesn't create or bring peace, it's brings retaliation, more fighting.

How can peace be achieved when people like Bush are making decisions on behalf of the world and not even caring wether everyine agrees with the decision or not. How can there be peace when US itself has nuclear weapon and they are trying their best to see that other countries don't get their hands on such weapons. How can there be peace when fanatics like Osama bin laden is brain washing other people against west.

Well I don't know if there's such typical school that offering such course, but when I was a child I've been in what so called Theocratic School in our church and it can be best describe as school for peace cause there students are being taught how to be a peaceful man with the help of bible principle. There's no graduation in that school where your classmates are the whole member of the church. The focus of the class is to improve oneself to be a good preacher of peace and propagating it through whole world unbounded by any race, belief, and nationality. It emphasizes the unity of mankind under one kingdom, the kingdom of God for everlasting peace.

Miltary schools are for miltary tranning and they should be as they are because we all need it for self defence. Infact I think each and every person on this earth should be given military training for self protection. so that no body will remain helpless. Now about your school of peace. I think it is good idea. The way today terrorism is spread all over the world, I think your school of peace will be very helpful. But the most important question is, will the peace destoyers let you have you wish......I am doubtful about that.

Hi yanstill. Good post. I wish there was a way to avoid wars but I am afraid they will always exist, it's like it's human's nature. In some countries, until now military service is mandatory for young men where they have to spend one to two years learning how to fight with all kinds of weapons. I'm sure if there were schools to teach people how to make peace the world would do much better than it is doing now. Take care yanstill!

It is a good idea^_^

now thats what i call a good idea its people like you and your thinking that this world needs more of

Hi, I too agree with you. Hope the more peace maintaing assignments may be given and those conflict management along with various other human problems managment or educations is to given more priority rather wasting the time on money for more conflict attitute educations. Hope a strong global protective and rectification programme with cooperation with nations is be invited with high importance. Hope peace all over the world may be long lasted.