It is hard to avoid the news of conflict, violence and divisive rhetoric that is harming individuals, communities and societies around the world. Given the prevalence of such stories, one could be forgiven for assuming that humanity as a species is fuelled by vengeance and bloodlust.
However, the news cycle ignores an important part of human nature: we are also a kind and cooperative species, driven by a commitment to reconciliation and justice. There are many examples of people collectively trying to foster social change and work for the benefit of all. It is important to tell these stories as they can boost our sense of agency and help inspire action.
Telling stories about peace-makers can also help counteract humanity’s natural negativity bias. It is thought that being drawn to negative information had evolutionary benefits – negative information was more likely to be a threat to survival and thus required attention and a potential response. In a world of constant media coverage, however, this bias can create a sense of apathy and foster a fear of, and distrust in, others.
Learning about people working for peace around the world is a powerful antidote to this bias and the cycle of negative news stories. It also highlights that vengeance is not the only response available to us when we are harmed; we can seek other paths and push for reconciliation.
We are angry. I am very angry [...] But the thing is, I do not let anger, and we do not let anger, drown us in hate and wanting vengeance. Instead, I think of anger like a nuclear power. It can lead to destruction, and it can make light. And my hope is that we continue to use anger as a way to bring people together, to ask ourselves, "What can I do to make things better?"
-Aziz Abu Sarah, Palestinian author, peacemaker and entrepreneur
To promote the work of peacebuilders and highlight ways to break cycles of violence, we have created a lesson called ‘Exploring the Work of Peacebuilders’, in which students can reflect on peace as a concept, explore the work of peacebuilding organisations and individuals, and consider the power of seeking reconciliation over vengeance.
This two-part lesson helps teachers assist their pupils in exploring what peace is and the role we can all play in securing peaceful communities and societies.
During the activities, students:
- Understand what peace is, why it is important and what it looks like in practice.
- Explore the work of peacebuilding organisations and individuals.
- Recognise the power of peace and reconciliation.
- Understand that peace work starts with self-work and that all individuals can develop the skills needed to build peace.
Exploring the Work of Peacebuilders
Use this resource to help students reflect on peace as a concept, explore the work of peacebuilding organisations and individuals, and consider the power of seeking reconciliation over vengeance.
As the case studies in this lesson highlight, there are many ways in which people can work to build peace. For example, in situations of conflict and division, community healing can be fostered through the use of music, theatre, food and sport.
Educational initiatives can also help create shared understanding. To this end, there are schools around the world that seek to integrate divided communities in educational settings, and help young people understand the experiences of different groups, learn about their histories and even learn their languages. Education can also help people learn about harms committed against certain groups as an act of remembrance and as a means of securing justice.
Whatever the peace building initiative, the focus is on humanising those who have been depicted as ‘an other’, learning each other’s stories and creating opportunities for new relationships to emerge.
Wherever in the world we live, we can all play a role in pushing for peaceful societies. How we respond to others in everyday interactions and how we process conflict in our own lives can reverberate outwards and shape the world in which we live. We all have a responsibility to process our own pain to avoid perpetuating cycles of harm. It is empowering to understand that our own mindsets can encourage or obstruct peacebuilding and conflict resolution. We literally can model the change we wish to see.
When we are bombarded by news of violence and conflict, it is an act of resistance and humanity to share the stories of positive change-makers, who are working to create a better world. Such stories can counter apathy and inspire us to build societies rooted in compassion, reconciliation and collaboration.
