Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

NonviolenceNonviolence means that force may not be used or instigated during the educationalprocess, whether in a concrete conflict situation or for the purpose of organizing thelearning process.VerifiabilityVerifiability in peace education suggests that the measures taken must be orientedtowards the needs and problems of the respective audiences. The learning contentand methods should be connected with the relative state of research.IndependencePeace education must retain its independence at all times. The aim of peace educationmust never be to communicate specific moral values or even political judgments,neither in crisis situations nor in the face of growing pressure relating to aproblem. The aims and contents of peace education therefore have to be identifiedand spelled out clearly. Peace educators nonetheless have to be aware that there is adanger of exploitation against the background of party‐political interests and ideologicaldifferences.PartialityPartiality in this context means that peace education must unquestionably advocatefor the interests of the victims of violence and war. Bear in mind that those who perpetrateviolence are often victims themselves, for instance child soldiers.3.3 The core elements of peace education 28Gandhi said:‘we must BE the change we wish to SEE in the world.’The basis of peace education is to have a critical approach to conflict and violence.This includes:▶ Being aware of violence in all its historically and socially changing forms.Violence is understood here as the destructive dynamics of conflict.▶ Learning a constructive approach to conflict at all levels.▶ Taking a preventative approach to violence.▶ Preventing the negative dynamics of conflict escalation.3 . P e a c e e d u c a t i o n 39