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Incheon, South Korea, October 13, 2018
Four countries have pledged to introduce ‘Peace Education’ in their countries.
Guatemala, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Iraq signed an Agreement with Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international Non-Governmental Organisation that has been striving for world peace and harmony for many years.
Officials of the four countries signing the Agreement (Picture Supplied)
The Agreement was signed at the HWPL Peace Summit held in Incheon, South Korea on September 17, 2018, following a discussion between global educators and policymakers.
The theme of the discussion was “Looking into a Future of Peace through Peace Education.”
Preparing students
Makassar based Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Dean Dr Barsihannor Zuhri said that educational institutions appear to be unable to uphold the values of tolerance and democracy and that they should prepare students to face the future with knowledge and competency base.
“Effective strategy is needed to reduce the violence that often involves students in various educational institutions. One of them is teaching the importance of the ‘love of peace’ from an early age,” he said.
Worldwide Programme
HWPL introduced Peace Education to promote the culture of peace. Thus far, about 165 educational institutions in 12 countries, including the United States, India, Israel, Indonesia, and the Philippines have reportedly offering the Programme.
In January, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines established a cooperative relationship with HWPL to integrate Peace Education into the Curriculum of State Universities and Colleges.
CHED Commissioner Dr Ronald Adamat signed the Agreement, saying that it was a major achievement for HWPL.
Global Educators at the Summit (Picture Supplied)
“Students would learn to uphold the principle of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and embrace the differences amongst people. They will be equipped with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values in conflict resolution and peace work and be further encouraged to work for the cessation of wars, hostilities, and disunity,” he said.
On this occasion, HWPL and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to execute peace education nationwide in Cambodia.
Cambodia Education Ministry Under-Secretary of State Dr Rachana Khun described the HWPL Peace Education as ‘an important part of Global Citizenship Education.’
“Our Ministry requests the assistance of HWPL in writing books on Peace Education, its teaching methodology, training peace educators and planning activities to spread the culture of peace in the in Cambodia’s education sector.”
HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee urged educators to be good teachers as well as good parents and set examples for the growing generations.
“At this time, the world is crying out for peace since it is surrounded by wars. The world is developing weapons of destruction rather than developing a culture of peace. Children take after their parents and follow the environment. They should learn peace from their homes and schools. Then, our next generation will be naturally born as peace messengers in the environment of peace,” he said.
