Children are undisputedly the most victimized by war, and the long-term impact which is has on their development is profound, so how do you teach peace and tolerance in the midst of violence and hate?
A child woken each night by thundering bombs of the "enemy', who wakes only to walk through the rubble filled and blood soaked streets, may have a tendency towards had at those whom he or she see's as the aggressor of such intense levels of violence. Surely a child who has witnessed the death of a parent, or even their entire family is prone to thoughts of hate. So how do you quail such thoughts of sorrow and hate and turn them in to positive actions for peace and tolerance?
Sadly two thirds of the world's child population live in one of the 42 countries which is affected by conflict. Some 77 million children are not enrolled into school and half of those children are in conflict or post-conflict zones Therefore the first step in teaching peace in the midst of conflict, or in post-conflict, is to ensure that children are given access to education. We must improve both the quality of education world wide and institute diversity, peace and conflict resolution as part of the curriculum. In addition it must be ensured that education is restored in both emergency and post-conflict situations, including displacement camps.
Providing education in conflict and post-conflict also works to build peace by giving children hope. Ways that this is done includes; teaching diversity and multiculturalism, providing essential life and cognitive skills, as well as giving children a sense of normality and an opportunity to interact with children who are from the supposed ‘other side’ of the conflict. Schools also can life changing and saving lessons on peace building and conflict resolution, which can lead to a decrease in future violence. Basic education is necessary for all post-conflict communities to ensure for sustainable post-conflict reconstruction.
One example of the power education has to promote peace is the UNICEF funded program in Boca de Cupe, Panama, Retorno de la Alegria (Return to Happiness);
"Some displaced children from Colombia come to this region and initially talk of going back to Colombia to fight," says Ms. Alfaro. "Return to Happiness presents them with new options for their future, some are now saying, "I want to be a teacher or a lawyer or a missionary'. They start to think more about peace and less about violence because they realize that war and bloodshed are no longer their only option." (UNICEF)
Ensuring school attendance in conflict and post-conflict situations, helps to teach peace both directly and indirectly. School attendance reduces the risk of children being recruited or rerecruited as child soldiers, provide life-saving information on landmines, HIV/AIDS prevention, and heathcare education which can aid in the prevention of disease. Education in conflict and post-conflict situations also provides children with both structure and stability, which can help them overcome the trauma incurred by conflict and displacement.
Children are essential instruments for peace, and education is their best tool. The battle for peace is both intense and simple, and in the heart of conflict childhood is also intense and simple. Childhood in times of war is for all obvious reasons intense, however it remains simple for the same reasons as it does in times of peace…children are still enthralled and held captive by the simple things in life, children still desire to learn and to play…children are still the true teachers and inspiration of man.
Links:
UNICEF's Voices of Youth program
People for Peace
Kids Can Free the Children
Cultivating Peace
War Child
The Carter Center
The Hague Appeal for Peace
The United States Institute of Peace
International Peace Academy
Teaching Peace In a Time of War – Film
Young conflict survivors launch network for children caught in war
Peace Tools for Teachers
Seeds of Peace
Friendship Village
Peace Games
