Education for peace

The topicality of the above article by Priyakorn Pusawiro is indisputable. Educational leadership is vital in the school reforms processes at the local, national, regional and global levels. Recommendations on this matter adopted by Unesco and other international institutions have to be treated with utmost attention. The guidelines on promoting peace education can be given tangibility only under creative leadership.

This is fully applicable in the Asean area. It should be recalled that the Asean Charter stipulates in its chapter I, article 1 that the first purpose of this regional organisation is to maintain and enhance peace, security and stability and further strengthen peace-oriented values in the region. The provision has remarkable practical implications for all schools, as they are expected to contribute more actively to the collective efforts to universalise humanism and bring about a galaxy of knowledge in favour of peace as a supreme value of humankind.

Education for peace demands appropriate leadership for fostering respect for the fundamental values inherent in the ideals of peace and universal peaceful cooperation among peoples, including respect for the life, dignity and integrity of all, without discrimination, as well as promoting friendship, tolerance and solidarity.

Ioan Voicu

Bangkok