PEACE EDUCATION 

There is an increasing realization, especially during the last couple of decades that the prevailing system of education in the world over would not ensure and lead us towards a safe and peaceful future. It is important to note that the culture of violence and terrorism is generated and supported by the people preoccupied with their biases and hatred-based values; our education system is playing a complementary, if not causative, role in sustaining intolerance and extremism. In the cultural context it is said that today's so-called modernity and urbanity is leading us towards a society deprived of peace generating social values. The values which were handed over from one generation to another thorough experiential channels away from the modern structured education systems based on curriculums approved by the interests of nation states.

With the dawn of the new millennium, the present decade is being regarded as a decade for the "culture of peace" by the United Nations. The need of peace so acknowledged by an International body has brought the issue of peace at the forefront of international forums and perhaps one of the top most priorities in our shared world agenda of peaceful co-existence. 

In the Hague Appeal for Peace conference 1999, in most of the workshops especially in the youth workshops the need of PEACE EDUCATION was stressed upon while calibrating the unique potential of our youth. It goes without saying that youth is an age group of human society, which is, by and large, free from intrinsically hatred-based pre-occupations of their elder generations. In this scenario, youth being potentially important beam of hope should be targeted for bringing peace on the ground as well as in the minds of human beings living around the world.  

Some revolutionary steps need to be taken for the practical implementation of peace education.

PRIMARY LEVEL OF EDUCATION                                                                                              

CURRICULUM: The curriculum being taught in schools especially at the primary level is not geared to make our kids responsible citizens with positive and peace loving thinking. The symbolic representation of words that is transferred to kids through elementary books needs to be changed from "G for Gun" to "G for good". In the same token, the crosscutting stories based on Human History should not be replete with wars biased heroism or otherwise. We have to STOP TEACHING OUR KIDS the ways of brutality.

 SCHOOL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT: Schools' whole setup must be based on equity And social justice free from discrimination on the bases of class, cast or gender. It should be based on equal opportunities for all.

 SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL GROOMING: Right from the beginning of socialization at the school level serious attention should be given to imbibe the concept of tolerance and equity. Most importantly the toy guns that are given to kids in Montessori's or play group sessions must be banned with the force of  law.

 CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Cultural activities are one of the most effective means of peace education. It comfortably canalizes the creative energy of youth from going waste or diverted to unhealthy activities to productive relationships with things around.

 MEDIA: Electronic media is a social force acting on human mind. Youngsters being one of the most susceptible to these electronic transmissions are influenced by it. It is suggested that cartoons and movies with violence in it should be replaced with education-cum-entertainment programs on popular Cartoon Network and other TV channels.  

SECONDARY/HIGHER LEVELS OF EDUCATION                                                                   

CURRICULUM: Respect for human rights is a very important dimension of  Peaceful human existence; and invariably peace is a human right. In this context, it is recommended that Human Rights education based on UN declaration of  human rights should be introduced as a compulsory subject in the colleges world wide.

 EXCHANGE PROGRAMS: In conflict prone regions (like Pakistan-India or Balkans) youth exchange programs should be promoted and sustained through time in order to give students and youth exposure to pluralism, tolerance and respect for one another.

 ADMINISTRATIVE INITIATIVES:  Some steps are also to be taken at the administration level to facilitate the Peace Education Program:

 TEACHERS' FREEDOM: Teachers should be given sufficient freedom to move ahead of mechanized rut of curriculum. In most of the countries (esp. in the developing world) teachers are not enjoying their due rights and facilities.

SPECIAL RESOURCES/FUNDS: Special resources/funds must be allocated to promote the concept of peace education.

Now the time has come to take serious and concrete measures for making this world a heaven of love and peace. In the presence of available so-called modern weaponry of mass destruction, the need for creating a culture of peace starting and involving youth is the most important thing to do both at societal and states levels.

 However, we should not forget that PEACE EDUCATION is not just something written in books, its a CONCEPT - an AWARENESS - A LOVE to safeguard our world and lovely future of our kids not far off from them just hidden in the dust of hatred and intolerance.