International Conference Calls for Education in Dialogue and Non-Violence

(MENAFN- HWPL) Paris, June 12, 2025 – In a global context marked by social tensions, armed conflicts, and identity fractures, the voice of education has risen, strong and resolute, in support of peace. An international online conference was convened under the theme: "School as a space for peace: preventing violence and promoting global citizenship.”

Organized by an international peace NGO, HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), the event was held in collaboration with the Permanent Delegations to UNESCO of Burundi, Libya, Togo, South Sudan and Yemen, as well as the National Commissions for UNESCO of Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Jamaica.

With support from UNESCO partner NGOs – the Centre for Advanced Studies in Education and Sustainable Development and CLADE (Campaña Latinoamericana por el Derecho a la Education) – and UNESCO Artist for Peace, Guila Clara Kessous, this conference brought together 322 participants, including prominent figures from the educational and associative sectors, to share their vision of a school that fosters peace.

In his opening speech, Mr. D’Almeida**, Managing Director of HWPL, emphatically reminded participants that school is “the first place where we learn to live together.” He emphasized its unique potential for social transformation, provided it is not reduced to a purely functional role, stating, “School should not be put away in a cupboard. Our conviction is simple: to build lasting peace, we must start early.” He also cautioned against the consequences of neglecting education, warning that school could otherwise become a site of tension, exclusion, or symbolic violence.

The roundtable showcased a rich array of international experiences. Medi Muyisa, representing the organization The Congo Tree, highlighted the dual nature of the school system: while it can sometimes reproduce asymmetrical power relations, it can also be a crucible of encounters and reconciliation. He introduced the "Building Peace in Schools" program, which focuses on training, mentoring, and creating consistent spaces for dialogue.

Ms. Katerina Konstantinides Vladimirou, coordinator of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network in Cyprus, shared her country's educational policies centered on violence prevention, gender equality, and anti-racism. This commitment, she said, is supported by rigorous observation of school dynamics and targeted prevention strategies. Following up on these remarks, Ms. Amal Laba, education advisor, spoke about the efforts made to integrate peace into national curricula, despite sometimes unstable political contexts.

Against Bullying, a Pedagogy of Empathy

The fight against bullying in schools gained attention through the intervention of Ms. Marie-Pierre Lescure, who introduced the Tatou Kompry method. Her approach, rooted in empathy, cooperation, and inner sovereignty, aims to restore the dignity of every student. "You face him and say it from the heart: Dylan, you are a wonderful boy." A simple but profoundly transformative statement, which underscores the powerful role emotional education can play as the foundation for lasting peace.

Cultural Diversity: An Educational Lever for Peace

Élise Cuny, president of the Culture Solutions association, advocated for an educational approach rooted in heritage. She presented the "Odyssey" program, which mobilizes collective memory, art, and cultural diversity as vectors of social cohesion. More than 6,000 students across 26 countries participate in this project. Author Philippe Besson said, "Places are also connections. And they are our memory.”

To conclude the meeting, the organizers issued a solemn appeal to support the Declaration for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and urged continued efforts toward its realization. Delegations from Togo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shared their local initiatives, highlighting the diversity of educational practices around the world and the importance of platforms like HWPL for sharing experiences.

An official of HWPL emphasized that peace must be cultivated through education, not simply declared. Achieving this goal requires political support, qualified educators, safe learning environments, and curricula grounded in rights, respect, and cooperation. The conference concluded with a clear message: peace education is essential for fostering inclusive societies, and schools play a key role in shaping responsible, empathetic citizens.

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