NEED FOR PEACE EDUCATION
The modern world, owing to science and technology is shrinking day by day. People are
becoming neighbours in sorrows and sufferings, floods and famines etc. Every country is
dependent on another. The mutual relationship of different countries situated in distant corners
of the world is getting closer. At the same time, conflicts and controversies, disputes and
dissensions are on the rise and this affects all countries in no time.
The present atomic century threatens the world with war every now and then. The first
half of the century witnessed two world wars and even now is witnessing number of cold wars
and regional conflicts. International tension, struggle for international supremacy, racial,
cultural and economic superiority etc. tends to increase the enmity and hatred between
nations. Earth is no more seen as a place for peaceful coexistence of humans, rather, as a land
made for occupation by the might, using power.
Psychologically, biologically and sociologically the reasons as to why war originates in
the minds often may be justified. But placed as we are, under the threat of nuclear warfare,
the world nations can no longer afford another global war, without total destruction of
humanity and the environment. Hence education for peace is very important in the contexts
of today’s world in which the education and the educator, the citizen and the society should
understand the indispensability of peace.
MEANING OF PEACE EDUCATION
Peace education is the incorporation into the education process the knowledge of the
dangers posed to human life and human social life by war, violence, poverty and oppression.
It is a process of conscientization, diffusion of knowledge, internalization of information and
values, and development of critical thought and willingness to act in spirit of international
cooperation and peace. Originally aimed at eliminating the possibility of global extinction
through nuclear war, peace education currently addresses the broader objective of building a
culture of peace.
AIM OF PEACE EDUCATION
The aim of peace education is to instill a desire for peace and harmony and dislike for war and
violence. Peace Education is about empowering people with the knowledge, attitudes, and
skills that would enable them:
to build, maintain, and restore relationships at all levels of human interaction
Dr. George Varghese, MTTC Pathanapuram
Page 2