The specter of violence in the international and national scenes that range from wars to mass shootings, terrorist attacks, killings of government officials and tribal group members, Mindanao conflict, child abuse, and bullying in schools underscores the importance of peace education in Philippine basic and higher educational institutions.
Dr. Belinda Espiritu, UP Cebu Communication Program Faculty, will present an overview of the components of peace education and why it is necessary in a strife-torn world during her lecture titled “Peace Education and Nonviolent Communication Towards Violence-Free Schools and Communities” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on March 2, 2024 at the UP Professional Schools in the South Road Properties.
Threats of violence even in schools provide the context for DepEd Order No. 32, S. 2019 or the “National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace” and CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 01, Series of 2019, which deals with “Integration of Peace Studies/Education into the Relevant Higher Education Curricula.”
Dr. Espiritu’s presentation will cover peace education components, including spirituality, social justice, human rights, nonviolence, inter-faith and intercultural solidarity, respect for diversity, common humanity, oneness with nature, and human security. The lecture will then examine nonviolence and the approach to communication known as nonviolent communication (NVC) that was developed by American psychologist Marshall Rosenberg.