The Baha'i Curriculum for Peace Education

Overview & Synopsis

Although efforts to teach peaceful attitudes and behaviors have been documented in many countries, those very institutions centrally concerned with education have proven themselves ineffective in educating citizens to better learn to live together. This paper addresses peace education from the perspective of the Baha'i faith, which has concerned itself with peace education since its inception in the early 1800s. A description of peaceful behaviors is presented within an international overview of peace education generally. This leads to an overview of Baha'i peace program principles and practice within formal and informal settings. Comparisons with other peace education programs in both secular and religious contexts are provided, along with a general critique of all peace education attempts. Suggestions for addressing program weaknesses according to Baha'i guidelines for building unity are proposed as possible descriptors and assessment tools for peaceful behavior. (Contains 1 note.)