African educators commit to promote peace education in schools

Educators from 11 African countries have expressed commitment to ensure that young Africans are well educated about peace and values the continent needs. The delegation of 15 Jesuit Education Directors made their pledge Friday after concluding a three-day workshop at Peace School at Kigali Genocide Memorial. Hosted by Aegis Trust, the workshop enabled the participants to discuss embedding critical thinking, empathy and positive values in their teaching. The delegation visited Genocide memorial sites to reflect on the path that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and visited Rweru Reconciliation Village, where they learnt the power of forgiveness and friendship. Charles Chilufya, the Director of Justice and Ecology for the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, said that education delivered to young people is the only key that determines the ideal Africa. “What Africa needs is the formation of its people, especially young people, towards being responsible citizens who grow with good values. Values-based education that can be used to transform Africa and even dealing with the problems the content faces such as poverty, wars among others. The future of Africa will depend on how we educate. The type of education we offer is what will determine Africa we want,” Chilufya said. “Rwanda has progressed in the process of healing after the terrible history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. African countries should work together to learn their counterparts’ experience”. According to Freddy Mutanguha, Aegis Trust’s Africa Director, Africans want more partnerships to promote peace and values education across the continent. “Aegis is honoured to host the Jesuit’s African Education leaders. The Jesuits have a long tradition of promoting compassion through their education work all over the world, and we are excited by the opportunity this partnership represents for Aegis to share our learning and work with such a distinguished partner to take our approach to Peace and Values Education across Africa,” he said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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African educators commit to promote peace education in schools