Non Violence and Peace Education -Role of Teachers and Teacher Education

Peace is the basic principle of living for mankind as well as nature. Peace and the desire to live peacefully are inherent in us. Education helps us to realize our ultimate goal in life – i.e. To live peacefully and harmoniously as a well adjusted individual in our surrounding. Education for peace is essentially required for our future citizens i.e. our children, in order to develop the right attitude towards life. We need a global mind and behavior shift from the way we currently think and interact. Nonviolence as an effective way of dealing with conflict needs thought, resourcefulness, vision, planning, patience and commitment. We know that human beings are inhabited with five great enemies of peace i.e. – avarice, ambition, envy, anger and pride. – Where these reside peace can never be. The knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to prevent violence and promote the non-violent resolution of conflict are central to the process of educating for a culture of peace. There are many impediments to a culture of peace and non-violence, it will take great efforts to achieve the same. It can be achieved through collaborative efforts between families, colleagues, neighbors, classmates, governments and all other people in our world. Everyone can be involved in creating a culture of peace; even if in a minor way, there can be major impact. If peace is achieved in all of our families there would be positive consequences. Teachers and Teacher Education can play an effective role in imparting education for developing the right attitude required in our future citizens-our children for encouraging non violent and peaceful living.