Category Archives: EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot educators and activists speak about building peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from In Cyprus

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot educators and activists shared their efforts to build peace in Cyprus in the context of an open day plenary meeting of the 43rd International Institute for Peace Education which is taking place in the Nicosia buffer zone this week [July 23-28].


In 2018, a total of 328 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot pupils together with 47 accompanying teachers were given the opportunity to visit Strasbourg in the context of the Euroscola programme, head of the European Parliament’s office in Cyprus Andreas Kettis told the conference, in his address.

Kettis said that Euroscola is a pioneering programme implemented by the European Parliament. It is addressed to high school pupils between 16 and 18 years of age, who travel to Strasbourg and in essence perform the duties of MEPs from all 28 EU member states. Teachers, he added, also have the opportunity to mingle and exchange best practices.

He also informed the conference of “together. eu”, a platform introduced by the European Parliament at the end of May. We want to listen to you, to hear your views about how the EU should function in the future, he told participants who hail from EU countries.

Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) Co- President and board member of the Home of Cooperation Kyriakos Pachoulides outlined the idea behind the association’s establishment and the Home of Cooperation. The association, he said, envisioned a society in which dialogue on issues of history, historiography, history teaching and history learning is welcomed as an integral part of democracy and is considered as a means for the advancement of historical understanding and critical thinking.

He showed photos from the 1960s where it is evident that the road outside the Home of Cooperation, located in the buffer zone in Nicosia, used to be a scene of armed conflict. Referring to the symbolic reason behind the decision to operate the Home of Cooperation in the buffer zone he noted that “we wanted to show to the people in Cyprus that peace is an option.” Questioning the conflict and the results of the conflict is an option, he said, adding that “we can build a better future for our children.” Our decision, he noted, was to change the “dead zone” as it is known in the Greek Cypriot community and to transform it to a zone for cooperation.

Huseyin Akansoy and Christos Efthymiou spoke of the work done by their bicommunal initiative “Together We Can”. It is a team of relatives of missing persons who in Akansoy’s words “carry a message of change by bringing people together.”

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Question for this article:

Can Cyprus be reunited in peace?

Where is peace education taking place?

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“The pain of relatives of missing persons is the same and has nothing to do with ethnicity,” he noted, adding that the alternative to hatred is “finding our truth.” Together, as Turkish and Greek Cypriots, he said, it is important to be aware of each-others pain.

On his part, Christos Efthymiou said the initiative is a common platform of dialogue and action to raise public awareness regarding the events surrounding the violence which took place in the past and work towards minimising the exploitation of the common suffering to promote nationalism.

“Coming to terms with the violence of our past is very significant,” he said. In the context of the initiative relatives of victims from both sides working together develop a sense of common pain. When relatives of victims talk to open bicommunal meetings the results are remarkable, he added.

Zuhal Mustafaogullari and Stavros Stavrou spoke about their experience as teachers when taking part in the project “Imagine”, a confidence building measure implemented by AHDR which brings school students together from both communities.

Mustafaogullari said she teaches history in Turkish occupied Famagusta. She said that the project was a dream which would become reality with difficulty. When it was announced, she remembers that everyone wanted to take part and they had to have a draw. In the end, it was an outstanding day, she said, adding that on the way back in the bus the students were singing songs of peace. She spoke of the need for the programme to continue and to even have exchange programmes between schools.

Stavrou who teaches in a lyceum in Paphos said that many of Greek Cypriot students had never met Turkish Cypriots. We spoke with all students and found 25 participants and that before the day they travelled to Nicosia and the Home of Cooperation they had workshops to prepare the students. He said that he would not have believed it if he had been told before that in less than 3 hours the students would become friends.

Sener Elcil from KTOS union of Turkish Cypriot teachers and Apostolos Skouroupatis on behalf of POED union of Greek Cypriot elementary school teachers spoke of the cooperation between the unions and the work done to promote a culture of peace.

Elcil said that we need to internalise the peace culture. Peace means dialogue, tolerance, communication, equality, gender equality, he noted, adding that it has a holistic meaning and is embedded in our daily lives. According to Elcil education is the most influential instrument to promote peace among people. He went on outlining all the bicommunal action the union takes in cooperation with other Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot teachers’ unions.

On his part, Skouroupatis said that much has been achieved in recent years with teachers organising activities which have to do with things Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have in common. The programme Imagine, he said, was a very successful effort, because through it, students had an experience of been in touch in a setting of mutual respect and mutual understanding. He also said that unions make an effort to be in close contact and to issue joint declarations and organise joint marches, adding that there still room for improvement.

The meeting which brings together 75 participants from 35 countries is organised by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research and the International Institute on Peace Education, is under the aegis of European Parliament President, it is supported by the office of the European Parliament in Cyprus and it is funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Europe

Venezuela: the culture of nonviolence is replicated in Petare

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Cronica Uno

The Diploma in Leadership and Management of the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence is in its second year of application. Cristian and Patri are among a score of boys (many of them already university students) who want to replicate the knowledge needed to attain the culture of peace at the Manuel Aguirre school, located in the neighborhood 24 de Marzo de Petare, Caracas.


“I am 19 years old and I am pleased”, says Cristian Chacón expressing with his body as well as words that he wants to help others and thus attain the culture of nonviolence.

He does social advocacy work. When he graduated from Bachiller he joined an organization called Une Futuro, which works in the formation of leaders with positive influence.

For two years he took part in the training. The first year was personal growth and in the second year, together with his classmates, he presented the project “Youth without diapers”, which was judged among the 10 best in Latin America.

Cristian wanted to continue training as a leader for the common good and so he entered the Diploma in Leadership and Management of the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence that is carried out with the partnership of the organizations Opportunity CA, Monte Ávila University, ReconciliAcción and Mujeres for Citizenship

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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For five hours they give talks, shared tools, help develop life projects, and talk about how to achieve nonviolence, even living in a dangerous place.

“And we found that the students have dreams and that like us they want a better future for the country. What we do is show them with examples of life that this path can be reached and that communication reduces hostility, for example. I apply that with my family, I did it in my building and I have had results “, said Cristian.

The Manuel Aguirre School serves a population of 1200 students from First Grade to Fourth Year. You get there by going up La Bombilla, going through narrow streets, in which you can see children walking with bottles on their backs. “Violence is not only when there are weapons or drugs, also what is seen in the neighborhood with the failure of the services is a type of violence and many do not know how to channel that,” says Patri Carrasquel, 19, one of the social leaders that together with Cristian advance the program “Sé, Piensa, Haz Paz” in the sectors of the Sucre and El Hatillo municipalities.

She studied at the Madre Emilia school in Los Dos Caminos and became involved with the Pelicano religious-social movement, which consists of giving orientation and instilling values ​​to the children and providing social assistance in asylums and shelters.

Nowadays she is the national secretary of that movement, which is in five cities of the country and in Peru. “But I wanted to receive more leadership training to be able to continue helping and I found this environment where there are 50 young people doing this, creating awareness and supporting change”.

She is studying International Studies and is in the world of modeling. However, among her main objectives is social work.

All the youth seeking the diploma are scholars. 1200 dollars is paid by the European Community for each of them. The result is that they become agents of change and reconciliation, becoming citizens able to achieve alliances for community projects and create spaces for opportunities.

The next cohort of the diploma begins on June 12, lasts 12 academic hours. More information is available through the networks @oportunidadac, @mujeryciudadania, @peopleinneedcz and @ueenvenezuela.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Mexico: USEBEQ and UAQ train teachers in culture of peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from El Queretano (Translation by CPNN)

In order that teachers, administrative and technical teachers of the state can advance in their studies and develop skills in conflict conciliation, assertive communication and culture of peace, a new diploma is being developed by USEBEQ [Unidad de Servicios para la Educación Basica en el Estado de Querétaro] and UAQ [Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro].

This is the diploma “History of Peace Studies, Human Rights and Peace”, aimed at teachers, technical technicians, managers, supervisors and technical pedagogical advisers in basic education.


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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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The Director of Quality and Educational Innovation of the USEBEQ, said that the Diploma will allow participants to acquire skills in conflict conciliation, assertive communication, community building and education methodologies and culture of peace.

The State Secretary of Education promotes through the “Continuous Improvement Route” that teachers are trained to have additional pedagogical tools and knowledge. The goal is to benefit students of basic education with more teachers who are better prepared to develop their plans, programs and academic content, “said the official.

The official added that this program will train teachers to promote environments of respect and dignified treatment among students who are different, but equal in rights. The training improves relations and understanding based on respect, solidarity, justice and attachment to human rights.

This diploma is taught at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UAQ, with a duration of 120 hours; of which 75 are face-to-face and 45 online. It will conclude on August 2 of this year with the participation of 36 basic education teachers.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Iraqi group spreads tolerance and peace through art

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Oumayma Omar from The Arab Weekly

Walking into the traditional Baghdadi house, one is amazed by the number of artworks displayed in the yard and on walls of the building’s spacious rooms.

Beit Tarkeeb, in Baghdad’s Karrada neighbourhood, is a platform for a variety of art forms and where young Iraqis can train, learn and expose their work covering visual arts, performing arts, films, music, literature, photography and interior design.

Communicating through art. Visitors at Beit Tarkeeb in Baghdad’s Karrada neighbourhood.(Oumayma Omar)

“Our goal is to spread the culture of peace and its values. Art is our means to communicate our principles and alternatives to rampant violence wrecking the Iraqi society,” said Zeid Saad, 27, an artist and founding member of Beit Tarkeeb.

“We are an NGO that promotes contemporary arts for young talents aged 15-35 who wish to express their ideas through a variety of art genres, especially music, acting and dancing.”

Since its founding in 2015, Beit Tarkeeb has been organising the Baghdad Contemporary Art Festival, which is the only festival in Iraq that features young artists in artistic specialities such as contemporary art, literature, music, cinema and theatre.

A large installation of twisted and dangling wires captures visitors’ attention because of its unusual shape.

“It is the work of a young participant in a recent exhibition who wanted to raise awareness about the problem of poor power supply and the incredible amount of electrical wires on the streets of Baghdad,” Saad explained.

“Contemporary art is something new in Iraq and not many people understand the message the artists are trying to convey. Each work has an idea behind it and seeks to raise a problem that is affecting the society without directly touching on politics, religion or gender.”

“Art is not meant to cause conflict or controversy but constructive change. We believe in art’s ability to positively affect fellow Iraqis and foster the aspired change,” Saad added.

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Question for this article:

A culture of peace in Iraq, Is it possible?

Do the arts create a basis for a culture of peace?, What is, or should be, their role in our movement?

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Artists in Beit Tarkeeb stage surprise musical and theatre performances on the streets of Baghdad.

“The idea is to share with the public, not to be confined in a closed space,” Saad said. “Beit Tarkeeb succeeded in breaking conventional approaches through its performances, workshops and training courses with the support of European institutions advocating contemporary art.”

With the support of Germany’s GIZ, the group organises “art therapy” sessions during which participants play music with utensils and housewares. “Through these sessions participants work on expelling negative energy and replacing it with positivity. At the end they perform before an audience which helps them to gain hope and self-confidence,” Saad explained.

Beit Tarkeeb also offers therapy through reading and discussion of books chosen by therapists. They have a weekly Open Projector Night to present works from local and regional film-makers and Art Lecture Lab once a month, which is a public lecture series presented by specialists and devoted to the study and development of arts and sciences.

The artists at Beit Tarkeeb come from different backgrounds, different regions and various art fields but they unite under the shared goal of conveying peace. Some came from Mosul, where they lived under the tyrannical rule of the Islamic State.

Art therapies are designed to deal with post-war traumas and to spread a culture of tolerance and non-violence by promoting the principle of civil peace and preventing acts of reprisals, Saad said. National concerns, such as the absence of the rule of law and justice, corruption or widespread unemployment, feature heavily in discussions as well as concerns about tribal justice and punishment and the proliferation of weapons outside government control.

Atef Jaffal, an 18-year-old contemporary interior designer and volunteer worker with Beit Tarkeeb, speaks about his work with passion.

“I want to be part of this place that will propel contemporary art through the great support it is offering the youth without any charge,” he said. “Beit Tarkeeb gives young talents complete freedom in practising their art and using the place. That helps develop their artistic skills without pressure or preconditions.”

Mina Hamed, 16, was rushing to the drawing workshop in the building’s basement carrying her colour tubes, brushes and canvas. “I have been passionate about drawing since childhood. When I learned about the summer sessions at Tarkeeb, I couldn’t wait for school to finish. I wish to study medicine and art. There is no harm in practising both,” she said with a big smile.

Outside the restored Baghdadi house, contemporary artworks, including sculptures, installations and paintings, are featured on walls and in different corners of the yard.

“I am confident that Beit Tarkeeb will constitute a milestone in the course of Iraqi art. We aspire to be the nucleus from which contemporary arts in the country will expand,” Saad said.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Mideast

Angola: ISTP Holds International Symposium on Culture of Peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article in Noticias de Angola

The Instituto Superior Politécnico Tocoísta (ISPT), in Luanda, will hold an International Symposium on the Culture of Peace in its auditorium next Monday, on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of this month [July].


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(Click here for the original article in Portuguese)

Questions for this article:

What is the relation between peace and education?

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According to a press release arrived at NA, the event aims to discuss the perspectives of Culture and Peace.

The note also indicates that they will be discussion on topics such as Social Justice, Democracy, Welfare, Cultural Profitability, Social Development, and University Mobility.

It will have an inaugural conference on Higher Education as a factor of development in Africa and Angola, five panels structured around the activities of experts from Howard University, University of Lisbon, State University of Bahia, Fernando Pessoa University, among others.

The specific objective of the Symposium is to consider the creation of a Masters in African and African American Studies in Political Science (Sociology) with Howard University [in the US] and Bahia State University [in Brazil].

Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

The World Forum for the Culture of Peace in the Hague

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from the International Peace Institute

The definition of peace has shifted in the United Nations community from the absence of conflict to a more active, “positive peace.” Looking at peace from this perspective requires a shift in focus from identifying and combating the causes of wars to understanding the factors that foster peace and inclusivity. To view a holistic perspective of peace, it is necessary to explore the connections among culture, peace, security, and development.


The “culture of peace” recognizes the link between peace, development, and human rights. Defined in 1999, the term seeks to tackle the root causes of conflicts emphasizing the importance of dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation among individuals, groups, and nations.

On June 13, 2019, the first annual World Forum for the Culture of Peace took place in The Hague on “Peace Education for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.” It was organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation with support from IPI, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the University of Leiden, and the Carnegie Foundation.

High-level representatives from around the world discussed the importance of peace education for the protection of cultural heritage with a particular focus on Iraq, Yemen, and the Central African Republic. The day-long forum ended with “Messages for Peace” from global leaders including:

María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly (Video Message)
Marzouq Al-Ghanim, President of the Kuwaiti National Assembly
Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, Chairman, Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation
Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President Emeritus of Malta
Abdullah Gül, Former President of Turkey
Hassan Arfaoui, Representative of the President of Tunisia
Laurence Konmla, Special Envoy of the President of Liberia
Ammar al-Hakim, President of the Reform and Reconstruction Alliance of Iraq

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Questions for this article:

What is the relation between peace and education?

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In Session III of the forum, IPI President Terje Rød-Larsen moderated a panel on Promoting the Culture of Peace through Education.

Other Attendees Included:

Joke Brandt, Representative of the Dutch Government and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Erik de Baedts, President, Peace Palace / Carnegie Foundation
Prince Turki Alfaisal Alsaud
George Vella, President of Malta
Haris Silajdžiž, Former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Secretary-General, Organization of Islamic Cooperation
Taieb Baccouche, Secretary-General of the Arab Maghreb Union and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia
Khaled al-Yamani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yemen
Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross
Hilal Al Sayer, President of the Red Crescent Society, Kuwait
Leoluca Orlando, Mayor of Palermo
Shaikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait
Ali Al-Shukri, Representative of President of Iraq
Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Kingdom of Bahrain
Abdullah Lamlas, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Yusuf Goran, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Government of Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Michael Frendo, Speaker Emeritus of the Parliament of Malta and former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hamed Al-Azemi, Minister of Education of the State of Kuwait
Madame Sylvie Baipo Temon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Central Republic of Africa
Tokia Saïfi, Member of the European Parliament
Moukadas Noure, Minister of Education of the Central African Republic
Mounir Bouchenaki, Advisor to UNESCO for Cultural Heritage
Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, President of the International Court of Justice
Carl Stolker, President of the University of Leiden

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Europe, Mideast,

Africa: DUT’s ICON Introduces Peacebuilding Studies to International Students In DRC

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article by Nduduzo Ndlovu from the Durban University of Technology

The International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) based at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a five-day workshop at the La Sapientia Université Catholique, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo from 10 to 14 June 2019


Pictured: Prof Geoff Harris, Dr Joseph Rudige, Fr Innocent (Rector of La Sapientia Université Catholique) and Dr Chrys Kiyala.

The main aim of the workshop was for each of the six participating universities to develop a draft strategic plan to introduce postgraduate studies in peacebuilding. Subsidiary aims included promoting the use of participatory action research and building relationships between universities in the Great Lakes region.

“The six universities have begun working on strategic plans to establish Peacebuilding within the next couple of years; they have established a coordinating committee and are exploring ways of collaborating with each other; and three members of their academic staff will commence PhDs in Peacebuilding at DUT next year,” said ICON’s Professor Geoff Harris.

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Questions for this article:

What is the relation between peace and education?

Where is peace education taking place?

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The workshop was led by Professor Geoff Harris and Dr Chrys Kiyala from ICON, assisted by Dr Joseph Rukema from Sub – Saharan Africa University, Goma. There were 22 participants,18 from five Congolese universities, two from a University in Burundi and two student observers from the Sub-Saharan University of Africa. One participant – Theodore Mbazumutima is a recent PhD graduate in Peacebuilding from DUT and another participant – Josephine Mauwa Kimanu is a current PhD student with DUT.

Prof Harris elaborated on some of the aspects of the workshop. “We used a participatory and experiential learning approach. Some lectures were necessary but the best learning,we feel, took place in small groups as participants wrestled with the issues and came up with promising insights. We did not prescribe how peacebuilding programmes should be organised. This can happen in a number of ways and we were aware that many factors will influence the choices which any University will make,” he said.

“We encouraged the use of participatory action research, an approach with which ICON has particular expertise, and helped participants to develop draft plans of how they might set up their own peace programme and the shape these might take,” he added.

Prof Harris also expressed appreciation at the commitment from Rector of La Sapientia Université Catholique that his University will coordinate future cooperation between the five universities with DUT. “It is very likely that three of the participants will commence PhD studies with ICON in 2020. Overall, we are confident that the workshop will act as a springboard for efforts to develop a culture of peace in the region,” said Prof Harris.

The workshop was funded by a grant from the NRF’s KIC Africa Interaction programme and enjoyed generous hospitality from La Sapientia Université Catholique.

Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Argentina: The T20 Summit and the 14th World Congress of Mediation and a Culture of Peace: Integrating approaches

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An announcement from T20 Argentina

The aim of this meeting is to cross the converging work agendas of the T20 and the Congress of Mediation and a Culture of Peace. It looks to open an enabling framework to prepare possible bilateral and/or multilateral meetings with international speakers that will be in Argentina from September 17. The T20 Summit and the 14th World Congress of Mediation and a Culture of Peace will take place in Buenos Aires during the same week. The strongest point of convergence between the T20 and the World Congress is the agenda of global governance, social cohesion and the legal basis we should pay attention to to understand the challenges of the international arena.

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(click here for a version in Spanish).

Question for this article:

Mediation as a tool for nonviolence and culture of peace

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What is the 14th World Congress of Mediation and a Culture of Peace?

This is a meeting which brings together international professionals to exchange practices that help to address conflict and to construct a culture of sustainable peace in Latin America and the world. The Congress is a space to learn about the national and international progress of alternative methods to resolving conflicts (MARC), focusing on the equal access to justice and the construction of societies that are more responsive, inclusive and equal.

Tentative agenda

16:00: Opening of the meeting and presentation from the T20 Argentina. This will be given by Gustavo Martinez (Executive Coordination Secretariat of CARI and the T20) and Pablo Ava (Director of Public Policy and Research of the T20).

16:10: Institutional presentation from CARI’s International Law Institute – Leopoldo Godio (CARI Consulting Member and member of the International Law Institute).

16:20: Institutional presentation from the 14th World Congress of Mediation and a Culture of Peace – Raquel Munt (National Director of Mediation and Participatory Methods of Conflict Resolution).

17:00: Conclusions on “Social cohesion and peace construction: integrating approaches” by Bautista Logioco (Official from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund).
17:30: Questions, comments and the closing of the meeting

Location: CARI [Consejo Argentino para las Relaciones Internacionales]

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Michoacán Mexico: Training for culture of peace and non-violence

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Urbis TV México

With the objective of promoting harmony, respect and the conflict resolution, the Attorney General of the State of Michoacán (FGE) through the Alternative Mechanisms for Dispute Resolution Mechanism (CMASC) ), carried out a training called “Culture of Peace and Nonviolence” with the staff of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).


The main objective was to give the workers tools that allow them to reinforce values ​​such as respect and the culture of peace, generating confidence and cordiality in the labor environment.

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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“The training reinforces values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and prevent conflicts, trying to solve problems through dialogue and creating a friendly work environment,” said the Coordinator of Restorative Justice Programs of CMASC, Elfega Rojas Calderón, who gave the talk.

The speaker said that it is very important, first of all, to privilege respect among people to avoid the generation of conflicts, but when conflict occurs, communication can be a determining factor to solve the problem.

She also said that, although it may be common that people are immersed in conflict in the workplace and in the daily life, there is a great opportunity to avoid them or reduce the risk of falling into them, as long as among people, the culture of peace can be reinforced.

During the presentation, the official also explained the relevance of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms when people are victims, so she invited the attendees to know more about what these mechanisms and the advantages that they provide to guarantee access to justice for citizens.

The workshop “Culture of Peace and Nonviolence”, is framed in a series of training sessions that are given monthly to staff, fostering a cordial work environment, based on the Culture of Peace. It was carried out at the CFE’s facilities at Arboledas Valladolid, Morelia.

The activity was also developed in teleconference with the Regions of the CFE of Zamora, Uruapan, Carapan and Apatzingán, with a total of 109 people involved.

The FGE reaffirms its commitment to respect, guarantee and promote the human rights of people and the dissemination of the culture of peace among citizens.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Guatemala: SEPAZ Graduates 82 ‘Multipliers of Peace’

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Guatemala Radio TGW (translation by CPNN)

The Secretariat of Peace (SEPAZ), through the distance mode of the School of Culture of Peace, organized the virtual course “My Peace Project” with the aim of encouraging participants in the values ​​of a culture of peace and non-violence.


SEPAZ executed three levels of training; in the first level, the conduct, values ​​and traditions of peace established in other countries were determined in reference to the Peace Agreements; at the second level, peace mechanisms were established; and on the third level, the creativity of the participants was engaged to form a culture of peace project.

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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The requirements for the people who participated in the virtual course “My Peace Project” were the following:

– Have completed the Virtual Diploma of Culture of Peace.
– Interest in generating proposals in favor of coexistence in Culture of Peace.
– Knowledge in the use of technology.
– The commitment to seek to carry out the Project Proposal.
– A minimum degree of empathy with others.
– Desire to get involved in the development of activities for peace.

Recognition to the «Multipliers of Peace»

During the closing ceremony Rigoberto Casasola, Deputy Secretary of Peace, presented the diplomas to the Peacemakers that culminated the virtual course “My Peace Project”, which lasted three months.

The project involved 82 people, including 55 women and 27 men in the age range of 18 to 61 years of age.

Mr. Andrés Chipix obtained the highest rating. He expressed his happiness upon receiving recognition from Casasola.

The Deputy Secretary of Peace highlighted the importance of these courses to form a “culture of peace” in Guatemalan society and to discourage recourse to violence.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America