Page 2 - Widening Horizon January 2020

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A Piece on Peace
“An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking;it involves
the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an
individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in
which they live.”
MUNEERA MAMMIKUTTY
Head of department (English -Primary Wing)
Human Rights Day on December 10 th annually, seeks to honor the
adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). On
December 10th, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This milestone document
proclaimed the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to.
These human rights exist regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language,
opinion, origin, or another status. One of the basic rights that every world
citizen is entitled to, is the right to peaceful co-existence.
How do we define ‘Peace’? Peace is a natural state of mind and everything
begins in the minds of men. Love and hatred, war and peace, sorrow and
happiness, doubt and conviction etc. all begin in the heart of a man. Peace
is wholeness. Peace can be understood as a circle with dynamic qualities of
inclusiveness,equity and harmony.
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We often tend to think of peace as being an international issue, far removed
from our daily life, but we do not realize that global peace can only be achieved
if every country is settled and is at peace. Peace and happiness of every country
can only be achieved if every citizen is at peace. Though the world may be full
of problems and distress, we must seek peace. When there’s no peace amongst
people, then peace in the society is threatened. Tagore rightly said: “Where the
mind is without fear and the head is held high, into that heaven of freedom my
father let my country awake.” The need of the hour is to develop the young
generation, with peace consciousness, well-armed with peaceful conflict
resolution techniques and disarmed with hatred and violence.
Education plays a pivotal role in equipping the nations in being more humane
and peaceful. Peace education only can extend real peace in this world.
Mahatma Gandhi rightly said, “If we are to reach real peace in this world, we
shall have to begin with the children.”
Peace education activities promote the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will
help people either to prevent the occurrence of conflict, resolve conflicts
peacefully, or create social conditions conducive to peace. Core values of
nonviolence and social justice are central to peace education. Nonviolence is
manifested through values such as respect for human rights, freedom and trust.
Social justice is realised by principles of equality, responsibility, and solidarity.
In order to achieve these ideals, peace education programmers across the world
address a wide range of themes. These include nonviolence, conflict resolution
techniques, democracy, disarmament, gender equality, human rights,
environmental responsibility, history, communication skills, coexistence, and
international understanding and tolerance of diversity.
Peace education and peace building are therefore intrinsically linked. The
UN’s actions for peace building include education as one of its principle
components. For peace building initiatives to remain sustainable, it is vital that
attitudes towards war and violence are transformed and translated into long-
term behavioral change which seek alternative solutions to armed conflict.Top
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