Peace Education Theory.

Overview & Synopsis

During the 20th century, there was a growth in social concern about horrific forms of violence, like ecocide, genocide, modern warfare, ethnic hatred, racism, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and a corresponding growth in the field of peace education where educators from early child care to adult use their professional skills to warn fellow citizens about imminent dangers and advise them about paths to peace. Peace education has five main postulates: (1) it explains the roots of violence; (2) it teaches alternatives to violence; (3) it adjusts to cover different forms of violence; (4) peace is a process that varies according to context; and (5) conflict is omnipresent. This paper traces the evolution of peace education theory from its roots in religious traditions of love, compassion, charity, and tolerance to modern theories based on reducing the threats of interpersonal and environmental violence. This brief review of some main contributors to peace education theory gives rise to five general areas where peace education is introduced in the 21st century: (1) human rights education, (2) environmental education, (3) international education, (4) conflict resolution education, and (5) development education. (Contains 72 references and 1 chart.) (Author/BT)