Peace Education: Schools Called To Practise

S chools in Cameroon have been urged to give greater attention to peace educa­ tion by equipping children with practical skills to manage conflicts, promote dialogue and embrace peaceful coexistence. The call was made in Douala on October 2 during the launch of “Peace and Human Rights Education in Schools: Activities, Methods and Tools”, a 159-page guide authored by educator and peace advocate Viviane Clémence Demefack- Nguimeya, Coordinator of the Centre for Peace Education and Response to Gender-Based Vio­ lence. The publication provides teachers, school administrators, parents and learners with practical me­ thods and activities aimed at pro­ moting tolerance, dialogue, em­ pathy, human rights and peaceful conflict resolution. According to a review presented by Dr Sébas­ tien Guépi, Associate Educator at the Douala Linguistic Centre, the guide contains 17 methods, four techniques and 25 activities addressing conflict management, mediation, tolerance, discrimina­ tion, diversity and positive va­ lues. The author said the publication is the result of nearly two de­ cades of work in peace education, dating back to 2005. On returning to Cameroon after training abroad, she promoted peace clubs in schools and developed the “Five Minutes for Peace” concept, which encourages teachers to dedicate a few minutes during lessons to peacebuilding activities. “Peace does not happen by itself; it is taught and transmitted,” she said. Participants at the launch called on schools and families to take ownership of peace education, stressing the role of parents and school administrators in shaping chi...