Government ministries in Guatemala, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Iraq have signed a memorandum of agreement with International peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light, HWPL, to implement nationwide peace education in their respective countries.
At a peace education session held in Incheon, South Korea global educators and policymakers discussed peace related matters under the theme: “Looking into a Future of Peace through Peace Education”.
Speaking about the need for lifetime peace education across the globe, Dr. Barsihannor Zuhri, Dean of Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar, pointed out that educational institutions seem unable to uphold the values of tolerance and democracy.
“Effective strategy is needed to reduce the violence that often involves students in various educational institutions. One of them is by teaching the importance of ‘love of peace’ from an early age,” he added.
In an effort to promote a culture of peace by peace education, HWPL has introduced peace education for students and citizens.
It is in cooperation with 164 educational institutions from 12 countries including the United States, India, Israel, Indonesia, and the Philippines for the teaching of peace worldwide.
In January this year, the Commission on Higher Education, CHED in the Philippines established a cooperative relationship with HWPL to integrate peace education in the curriculum of state universities and colleges.
Dr. Ronald Adamat, Commissioner of the CHED, who signed the agreement said students in the Philippines would be taught how to uphold the principle of ‘unity in diversity’ and embrace the differences amongst people.
They will be equipped with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values in conflict resolution and peace work and further encourage them to work for the cessation of wars, hostilities, and disunity.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia and HWPL also signed a memorandum of agreement to execute peace education in Cambodia.
The Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Rachana Khun said HWPL Peace education is an important part of ‘Global Citizenship Education.
He requested HWPL’s assistance in the writing of books on peace education, its teaching methodology, the training of peace educators and activities to spread a culture of peace in the education sector in Cambodia.”
The forum was organised to create an environment for the feasibility of peace education and present the specific roles of the state, government agencies, and schools for further development of peace education.
In his concluding remarks at the session, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL urged educators to endeavour to be excellent teachers and serve as good parents to the students since they are responsible for the “growing” of the minds of their students.
He noted the World is crying out for peace in view of the numerous wars and conflicts across the globe.
He said it is rather unfortunate that the world is developing weapons of destruction instead of developing a culture of peace.
Chairman Lee obsrved that children take after their parents and follow the environment.
To this end, he stated that children should learn peace from their homes and schools then our next generation will be naturally born as peace messengers in the environment of peace.
The host organization, HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), is an NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC and DPI engaging in peace-building projects including the establishment of international law for peace and peace education for students.
Story by Dominic Hlordzi
