The problem of teacher education in/for peace education contexts

• In Event: The Trickle-Down Effect: Working in Teacher Education to Create a Culture of Peace

Abstract

Wereport both on problems that are created in problematizing teacher education in peace education contexts and on the complexities that arise from seeking solutions that are pertinent only to teacher education but put aside contextual demands of peace education efforts. Our concern is to delve into the implications for teacher education, when peace education is conceptualized within the hegemonic political structures of nation-state schooling. We argue that if ‘peace education’ remains stagnant within nation-state structures, then teacher education in/for peace education contexts will also remain controlled by these same structures. Therefore, we need sharp critiques of competing ideological agendas which advocate teacher education policies and practices in/for peace education that are differently positioned from mainstream ones.

Authors

• Zvi Bekerman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

• Michalinos Zembylas, The Open University of Cyprus