The International Day of Peace (IDP) takes place annually on the 21st of September. Educators can celebrate this important day by teaching students the skills, attitudes, and values needed to encourage them in building a peaceful society.
We have curated a selection of discussion topics to help your students become confident negotiators on topics concerning peace and conflict. To further support educators, Kialo Edu has a range of features that can help students develop skills such as respect and empathy which are essential to good civic discourse.
Using Kialo Edu to hold discussions on peace and conflict
The Global Peace Index reveals that the level of global peace has deteriorated by 5% over the last 15 years. Holding Kialo Edu discussions on peace and conflict can deepen students’ understanding of these issues, such as strengthening the ideals of peace through non-violence and cease-fires during times of conflict.
What was the main cause of World War I?
After originating as a small conflict in Southeast Europe, World War I grew to involve over 30 nations and is estimated to have taken 16 million lives. Develop your students’ understanding of the reasons for conflict by examining the main causes of this global war.
Was the atomic bombing of Japan justified?
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are estimated to have taken 200,000 lives instantly. In this discussion, students can learn about the extreme consequences of conflict by examining whether these bombings were justified.
Was the United States right to fight the Vietnam War?
Involvement in the Vietnam War resulted in significant human and financial costs for the United States. Engage students in exploring the escalation of conflict and the resulting costs through debating whether the United States was right to become involved in this war.
Is justice more important than peace?
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” This suggests justice and peace are intertwined. However, pursuing justice in times of conflict sometimes comes at the expense of peace. Your students can debate whether justice is more important than peace in this debate.
Should we ever use force to create peace?
Force and peace appear incompatible, and yet authorities often favor the use of force to create peace. Even United Nations peacekeepers can use force in self-defense or in defense of their mandate. In this discussion, students can decide whether it is ever acceptable to use force to create peace.
Is pacifism moral?
Pacifism is a belief that war and violence are unjustifiable, and conflict should be resolved peacefully. Students can explore the moral issues relating to pacifism in this discussion. Is peace only possible if everyone gives up violence, or does pacifism actually allow suffering to continue?
Using Kialo Edu to build skills for fostering peace
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” Kialo Edu is packed with features to help students work at developing the skills and attitudes needed to participate effectively in productive, peaceful discussions.
First, the argument mapping structure in all Kialo Edu discussions offers a clear visual representation that there can be multiple views on any issue. Asking students to consider both the pros and cons of a topic encourages them to develop a deeper understanding.
Indeed, a discussion is truly fruitful thanks to the insights brought by all its participants. By interacting with others in discussions, students are able to consider multiple perspectives. They can learn to respond respectfully to others’ opinions and become accustomed to having their own views challenged. Through using custom perspectives, students can assume different roles within discussions, developing empathy with contrasting viewpoints.
Finally, encouraging collaboration in discussions enables students to become better communicators. They can learn to convey opinions clearly and respectfully to other team members, using their problem-solving skills to resolve potential conflicts peacefully.
Fostering peace through digital literacy skills with Kialo Edu
Filter bubbles and echo chambers online can result in students developing strong beliefs that may cause conflict with others. Furthermore, disinformation is now a key part of modern conflict. Thus, students need to become adept at judging the reliability of information.
In Kialo Edu discussions, educators can task students to use sources to support claims, helping students to recognize the importance of developing opinions based on factual information.
Then, educators can lead students in critically evaluating sources to ensure reliability. Teaching students these media literacy skills will contribute to the fight for digital peace.
So, let’s use this year’s International Day of Peace as a launchpad to start building skills, attitudes, and values that students can take forward to contribute to a peaceful society.
Contact us at feedback@kialo-edu.com, or via Facebook or Twitter, to let us know how you will be celebrating this year’s International Day of Peace.
