Committing to Peace Education 20 Years After the Rwandan Genocide Against the Tutsis

• In Event: 16.050 - The Global Culture of Peace

Abstract

The “Preamble” of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights identifies that there is a moral obligation for teachers to focus their work on promoting respect, freedom, justice and peace. Yet, little is known about how teachers’ understandings of peace and conflict impact their teaching. This study addresses this gap by providing insight into how teachers who survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis conceive of peace and peace education. Preliminary results indicate that they regard their commitment to genocide studies and peace education as a vital commitment required to rebuild a flourishing Rwanda in a post-genocide context. They acknowledge that the work required to teach and promote peace is arduous but necessary to avoid the reoccurrence of atrocity.

Author

• Jerome A. Cranston, University of Manitoba