Educating for Peace in Kenya: Insights and Lessons Learned from Peace Education Initiatives across the Country

• In Event: Peace Education SIG Highlighted Session- Pursuing Ubuntu Across the Globe: The Possibilities and Challenges of Enacting Peace Education

Abstract

Peace education and the role that education may play in building peace are adamantly cited as critical elements of educational interventions provided by national governments or international organizations working in conflict-affected and post-conflict countries. The case studies presented on this panel illustrate two inter-related efforts to implement peace education programming in Kenya, one carried out within the refugee camps hosted in the country and one implemented through the national school system in the aftermath of the post-election violence of 2007-08. As a country impacted by both its significant refugee community and its own periodic internal conflict, Kenya provides a unique context for exploring the endogenous and exogenous processes required to sustain peace education programming that ultimately contributes to ‘positive peace.’ The cases draw on the literature and key informant interviews to describe in detail the scope of the different programs, the challenges faced in the programs’ implementation and the status of the programs today. The presentation concludes with a cross-case analysis of key findings relevant for future peace education programming both in Kenya and other settings. It further examines a notable shift from an emphasis on peace education to conflict sensitive education and the implications for programming in education and conflict settings.

Authors

• Mary Mendenhall, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Nivedita Chopra, Harvard University