Young people tend to witness and experience the ubiquitous nature of conflicts that emanate from dominant socio-political, economic, and cultural forces and often tend to shape school practices. In this study, I listened to the voices of students who attend schools that aspire to resist this socialization for conflict through their focus on peace education. The research questions that guided my study are, ‘In this world of conflict, how are young people imagining, engaging, and enacting a peaceful world?’ which is complemented with a question on, ‘How are middle school students interacting with notions of peace and conflict as they make meaning of their social worlds?’ Inspired by a methodological approach of youth participatory action research (YPAR), 12 students across two schools in New Delhi, India, participated in a YPAR process across 13 virtual sessions, which were held twice weekly. Guided by a critical peace education and critical hope framework, I found that despite living in a world that is embedded in conflict, these young people move beyond despair and offer hope and possibilities for imagining, engaging with, and enacting a peaceful world. With an orientation to peace, these young people illuminate their imaginations of peace, which help us to think about ways in which we can live as peaceful beings characterized by harmonious co/existence with the self, one another, and the environment. Living in this world of conflict, these young people do demonstrate an awareness of existing conflict, and their engagement with conflict also tends to take them back to a place of peace. Starting from and returning to a place of peace could contribute towards building a peaceful world.

The purpose of this project is to develop an integrative unit for peace education that is based on analyzing song lyrics and developing critical literacy.

The research entailed the development, implementation and evaluation of a conflict resolution programme. Using the ecological perspective as the theoretical framework, the study highlighted the school as an appropriate context within which to promote non-violent strategies for conflict resolution. A conflict resolution programme for adolescents was developed by adapting specific modules of existing programmes. The researcher trained a group of social work students in the implementation of the programme. Using the groupwork method, the programme was subsequently implemented with standard five pupils at primary schools in Durban. The researcher supervised four pairs of students who implemented the programme with four groups of pupils at three schools. The thirty-nine pupils who collectively made up these groups, constituted the sample in the study. The pupils ranged in age from eleven to fifteen. The programme was implemented over eight one-hourly sessions, held once weekly, over eight consecutive weeks. Several data collection instruments were developed. The programme was evaluated in terms of its content, methods of implementation and outcome. The incorporation of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis enabled the researcher to validate information derived from different sources. The study discusses the processes used in programme development, the training of the facilitators, the selection of the sample, programme implementation and programme evaluation. The study found that the conflict resolution programme was effective in creating awareness of the advantages of adopting non-violent strategies of conflict resolution and in contributing to the development of effective problem-solving skills. The research data and the literature reviewed, reflected the need for school-based conflict resolution programmes. Based on the outcome of the evaluation, recommendations were made with regard to the further adaptation of the programme, the inclusion of conflict resolution programmes into school curricula, appropriate training for programme implementation and the social work role in conflict resolution skills training. Policy recommendations regarding conflict resolution skills training and the need for further research in the area of conflict resolution and programme evaluation, were also provided. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

Violent behavior is one of the most critical problem facing the world in general and South Africa in particular. The level of violence in our society is of wide concern. Many people are caught in a cycle of violence as victims and/or perpetrators. In the face of such increasing violence, it is crucial for peace educators to focus and teach people nonviolent ways of solving disputes to help contribute to a better awareness of the root causes of conflict from the global to interpersonal level and encourage individual to develop nonviolent behavior. In relation to the issue of reducing violence, I understood that action research provided a suitable methodology for researching the issue of my facilitation of nonviolence and problem solving workshop. It offered that in a way that allowed qualitative data to lead to action in the complexity of the situation. As Seville statement posits, violence is not innate but people are nurtured in violence and gradually become violent. However, one of the goals of peace studies is to nurture a commitment to nonviolent social change. To accomplish this, it was imperative to design a peace education program and apply it in a series of workshop with juvenile offenders. I embraced this education with the objective to build the capacity for nonviolent responses to conflict among a group of juvenile offenders at NICRO-Durban. Training for nonviolence and problem solving promises to develop attitudes and behavior that help people to live in harmony with each other and with self as individual. Through an experiential approach, I sought to train them in the use of creative nonviolent ways of handling situation in which people often resort to violence. Despite the limitation of this self-report method is that it was difficult to prove whether people are answering truthfully and had a realistic awareness of their own behavior. But the evaluation provides evidence that this study was substantially successful in achieving the aims and objectives set out for the research. The immediate out-come of the program was satisfying and the results show that this program is impacting on individual lives. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.

This research article deals with the implementation of peace education in the intermediate phase of South African schools. The specific questions that this research article attempts to address are: (i) What is peace education, with particular reference to its aims and objectives? (ii) Why is it important to include peace education in any school curriculum? (iii) What is the present status of peace education in the National curriculum? (iv) What has been the experience of educators with this curriculum? (v) How may the curriculum be modified to take account of peace education principles? Chapter one provides an overview, outlining the research objectives and the structure of the research article. Chapter two attempts to review the body of literature that has been written on the subject of peace education. In an effort to accomplish this, the article firstly attempts to provide a widely accepted definition of the concept of peace education. In this regard several definitions of different researchers have been presented and discussed and finally a single definition has been formulated for the purposes of this article. Chapter two attempts to provide an analysis of the aims and objectives of peace education. The varying views by different researchers have been presented. After careful consideration of these views a set of aims and objectives have been presented for the purpose of this research article. Chapter three provides strong evidence that children who are exposed to peace education develop more positively. They perceive their social world and react to social factors in a less hostile way. Furthermore, these individuals see violence as an unacceptable option, and choose nonviolent ways to resolve conflict. Chapter four reviews the research design that has been used in data collection. This chapter also focuses on the methodology and techniques employed in the analysis of the data. Chapter five provides an analysis of the research findings. This analysis is presented in two parts. Chapter six focuses on those objectives of peace education that are of critical importance but have not been included in the National Curriculum Statement grades R-9 (schools) 1997 (NCS) or the Revised National Curriculum Statement grades R-9 (schools) 2002 (RNCS). It will be illustrated that when these objectives are incorporated in the curriculum, it will strengthen the curriculum in terms of its provision for the effective teaching of peace education. Chapter seven contains a summary of the salient discussion points of the research and concluding remarks by the researcher. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Acompanha: Vivências ecoformadoras nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral analisar as contribuições teóricas e práticas da Ecoformação na perspectiva da Educação para a Paz, à formação integral dos alunos dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental, especificamente em uma turma de 5º ano de uma escola municipal da cidade de Ponta Grossa, no Estado do Paraná. Como complemento ao objetivo central, as ações encaminhadas foram: estabelecer práticas que visem à Ecoformação; aplicar atividades pedagógicas enfocando a Ecoformação sob a ótica da Educação para a Paz; analisar as práticas desenvolvidas e estruturar um e-book articulando saberes e práticas sobre a Ecoformação e a Educação para a Paz. Como aporte teórico para a pesquisa foram estudados Galvani (2002), Moraes (2007, 2008, 2012), Pineau (2004, 2006), Sommerman (2003) e Suanno (2014, 2016) referentes à Ecoformação. Nas questões da Educação para a Paz, os teóricos analisados foram Guimarães (2005, 2010), Jares (2002, 2007), Serrano (2002) e Tuvilla Rayo (2004). Para estabelecer os pontos convergentes entre a Ecoformação e a Educação para a Paz, nos apoiamos nos estudos da complexidade, particularmente nas ideias de Edgar Morin (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013a, 2013b, 2015). Considerando o quadro teórico estabelecido, partimos para a pesquisa de campo, de caráter qualitativo, exploratória, utilizando a Análise de Conteúdo, segundo Bardin (2009) e Franco (2012), como suporte para a coleta e análise dos dados. Como elemento articulador das práticas pedagógicas – Vivências com a Natureza – o suporte conceitual veio de Cavalcanti (2010), Cornell (2008), Mendonça (2008) e Tillmann (2001). As intervenções realizadas com os estudantes se deram sob o pano de fundo das Diretrizes Curriculares Municipais do Ensino Fundamental – Conhecimentos Naturais, (Ponta Grossa 2015), visando à relação com a Ecoformação e com a Educação para a Paz. Com base na interpretação dos dados, considera-se que a abordagem da complexidade, na articulação entre os conhecimentos da Ecoformação e da Educação para a Paz, traz uma perspectiva renovada e ampliada das questões referentes aos conhecimentos naturais interconectados com todas as formas de vida, qualificando as convivências humanas com os diferentes ambientes vividos. / The present work had as general objective to analyze the theoretical and practical contributions of Eco-formation from the perspective of Education for Peace, for the integral formation of Elementary School students, specifically in a 5th year class of a municipal school in the city of Ponta Grossa, in the State of Paraná. As a complement to the central objective, the actions addressed were: to establish practices that aim at Eco-formation; To apply pedagogical activities focusing on Eco-formation from the point of view of Education for Peace; Analyze the practices developed and structure an e-book articulating knowledge and practices on Eco-formation and Education for Peace. As a theoretical contribution to the research, we studied Galvani (2002), Moraes (2007, 2008, 2012), Pineau (2004, 2006), Sommerman (2003) and Suanno (2014, 2016). In the issues of Education for Peace, the theorists analyzed were Guimarães (2005, 2010), Jares (2002, 2007), Serrano (2002) and Tuvilla Rayo (2004). In order to establish the converging points between Eco-formation and Peace Education, support studies on complexity, especially in the ideas of Edgar Morin (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013a, 2013b, 2015). Considering the established theoretical framework, we started with qualitative and exploratory field research, using the Content Analysis, according to Bardin (2009) and Franco (2012), as a support for data collection and analysis. As an articulating element of pedagogical practices - Experiences with Nature - the conceptual support came from Cavalcanti (2010), Cornell (2008), Mendonça (2008) and Tillmann (2001). The interventions carried out with the students took place under the backdrop of the Local Curriculum Guidelines for Basic Education - Natural Knowledge, (PONTA GROSSA, 2015), aiming at the relationship with Eco-formation and Education for Peace. Based on the interpretation of the data, it is considered that the complexity approach, articulating thr Knowledge of Eco-formation and Education for Peace, brings a renewed and expanded perspective on the issues of natural knowledge interconnected with all life forms, qualifying the human coexistence and the different environments experienced.

Acompanha: Vivências ecoformadoras nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral analisar as contribuições teóricas e práticas da Ecoformação na perspectiva da Educação para a Paz, à formação integral dos alunos dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental, especificamente em uma turma de 5º ano de uma escola municipal da cidade de Ponta Grossa, no Estado do Paraná. Como complemento ao objetivo central, as ações encaminhadas foram: estabelecer práticas que visem à Ecoformação; aplicar atividades pedagógicas enfocando a Ecoformação sob a ótica da Educação para a Paz; analisar as práticas desenvolvidas e estruturar um e-book articulando saberes e práticas sobre a Ecoformação e a Educação para a Paz. Como aporte teórico para a pesquisa foram estudados Galvani (2002), Moraes (2007, 2008, 2012), Pineau (2004, 2006), Sommerman (2003) e Suanno (2014, 2016) referentes à Ecoformação. Nas questões da Educação para a Paz, os teóricos analisados foram Guimarães (2005, 2010), Jares (2002, 2007), Serrano (2002) e Tuvilla Rayo (2004). Para estabelecer os pontos convergentes entre a Ecoformação e a Educação para a Paz, nos apoiamos nos estudos da complexidade, particularmente nas ideias de Edgar Morin (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013a, 2013b, 2015). Considerando o quadro teórico estabelecido, partimos para a pesquisa de campo, de caráter qualitativo, exploratória, utilizando a Análise de Conteúdo, segundo Bardin (2009) e Franco (2012), como suporte para a coleta e análise dos dados. Como elemento articulador das práticas pedagógicas – Vivências com a Natureza – o suporte conceitual veio de Cavalcanti (2010), Cornell (2008), Mendonça (2008) e Tillmann (2001). As intervenções realizadas com os estudantes se deram sob o pano de fundo das Diretrizes Curriculares Municipais do Ensino Fundamental – Conhecimentos Naturais, (Ponta Grossa 2015), visando à relação com a Ecoformação e com a Educação para a Paz. Com base na interpretação dos dados, considera-se que a abordagem da complexidade, na articulação entre os conhecimentos da Ecoformação e da Educação para a Paz, traz uma perspectiva renovada e ampliada das questões referentes aos conhecimentos naturais interconectados com todas as formas de vida, qualificando as convivências humanas com os diferentes ambientes vividos. / The present work had as general objective to analyze the theoretical and practical contributions of Eco-formation from the perspective of Education for Peace, for the integral formation of Elementary School students, specifically in a 5th year class of a municipal school in the city of Ponta Grossa, in the State of Paraná. As a complement to the central objective, the actions addressed were: to establish practices that aim at Eco-formation; To apply pedagogical activities focusing on Eco-formation from the point of view of Education for Peace; Analyze the practices developed and structure an e-book articulating knowledge and practices on Eco-formation and Education for Peace. As a theoretical contribution to the research, we studied Galvani (2002), Moraes (2007, 2008, 2012), Pineau (2004, 2006), Sommerman (2003) and Suanno (2014, 2016). In the issues of Education for Peace, the theorists analyzed were Guimarães (2005, 2010), Jares (2002, 2007), Serrano (2002) and Tuvilla Rayo (2004). In order to establish the converging points between Eco-formation and Peace Education, support studies on complexity, especially in the ideas of Edgar Morin (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013a, 2013b, 2015). Considering the established theoretical framework, we started with qualitative and exploratory field research, using the Content Analysis, according to Bardin (2009) and Franco (2012), as a support for data collection and analysis. As an articulating element of pedagogical practices - Experiences with Nature - the conceptual support came from Cavalcanti (2010), Cornell (2008), Mendonça (2008) and Tillmann (2001). The interventions carried out with the students took place under the backdrop of the Local Curriculum Guidelines for Basic Education - Natural Knowledge, (PONTA GROSSA, 2015), aiming at the relationship with Eco-formation and Education for Peace. Based on the interpretation of the data, it is considered that the complexity approach, articulating thr Knowledge of Eco-formation and Education for Peace, brings a renewed and expanded perspective on the issues of natural knowledge interconnected with all life forms, qualifying the human coexistence and the different environments experienced.

"Let knowledge serve the city" reads the golden letters on a pedestrian bridge just 200 feet from my faculty office in Neuberger Hall at Portland State University. Public peace scholarship might allow knowledge to help the polis by keeping it out of war via changing the national discourse toward a strong and informed peace analysis. Educators have an uneasy relationship to public scholarship and mainstream media have a nervous attitude toward public peace intellectuals. Institutions of higher learning are also often either unaware or uncomfortable with a public promotion of a positive peace platform. Academic writing and research is hard to translate into publicly accessible knowledge and time constraints mitigate professorial efforts at such civic engagements. This dissertation looks at the evolving nature of this intersectionality between and among factors and analyzes data derived from research interviews conducted with 12 academics/activists. The conclusion is a grounded theory generated by this process. Key findings include problematic lack of academic freedoms--especially in the promotion and tenure context, overwhelming faculty workloads, infrequent faculty development of public scholarship skills and a spotty distribution/connection system that often fails to facilitate competent and willing faculty to engage as public peace and justice scholars. Policy recommendations attempt to address all these obstacles.

Pre-schools, as the entry point to formal education are increasingly expected to play an invaluable role in the promotion of peace. As such, this study sets out to investigate the nature and extent to which one pre-school, namely Khulqnathi Educare Gentre in Pietermaritzburg (KEG), adheres to the 'peaceful schools' model with respect to its organization, curriculum, learning methods and the handling of conflict. The research approach taken in this study was qualitative and exploratory, relying on self-administered questionnaires, reviewing literature and documentary analysis. The researcher also spent some time at the school to observe day-to-day activities. Parents and teachers constituted the study's respondents. The study reveals an innovative approach to teaching at KEG in which peace education is treated as an integral part of the entire learning and teaching processes. This innovation gets impetus from the school's constitution, which endorses peace education. Peace values are promoted through the curriculum in general, and in particular, the teaching and learning methods and in the school's approaches to handling conflict. Peace education does not stand out as an explicit goal. Rather, it is an integral compc;ment of the four cornerstones of the KEG's learning and teaching processes. Approaches to resolving conflict through dialogue at the school further demonstrate the school's adherence to the peaceful school model. A close working relationship between the school staff and parents ensures that children are exposed to peace values both at home and at school. In summary, the questionnaires, observations and the school documents lead to the conclusion that KEG is closely conforms to the peaceful school model. The study also offers some general insights on peace education in pre-schools and some recommendations specifically meant for Khulanthi Educare's situation. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Human security conceptions, service quality theory, critical social theory, and humanistic and social reconstructionist conceptualization of the curriculum have been used in this study to diagnose the quality of higher education (HE) in peace and security courses offered in Kenyan universities from the perspective of the student. The discourse emanates from the Kenya Government’s recognition of HE as key in solving the challenges affecting the country’s peace and security. This conceptualization is crucial in fast-tracking security reforms and dealing with the persistent peace and security challenges which the country faces. However, delivering quality HE amidst the recent explosion in demand for University education in Kenya has been a challenge and discourses on the dwindling quality of teaching and learning (QTL) delivered to University students in the country abound. The on-going dialectic contends that quality assurance in education is customer driven and the role of the student in evaluation of quality of education is categorical in determining viability of the programmes and self efficacy of the graduands. Using the positivistic-interpretivist paradigm, a total of 152 diploma and undergraduate students from five universities in Kenya participated in the study. Data were collected by use of a modified Service Performance (SERVPERF) questionnaire and interview schedules. The data were analysed both qualitatively by generating themes and categories and quantitatively by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that whereas students hold high perceptions of course relevance, their overall perceptions of the QTL in such aspects as facilities, lecturers, teaching methodology, curriculum evaluation and programme content design was low. The study recommends that the universities should mobilize resources to improve the quality of their teaching and learning resources while intensifying practical training and improving the quality of assessment to minimize overreliance on written examinations in evaluating students. Further study of the role of HE in peace and security studies in reinforcing peacebulding and security management in the East African region is equally imperative. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum and Instructional Studies)