Colombia’s Education Initiatives Promote Peacebuilding Through English Language Teaching
Colombia, a country with a long history of civil conflict, has been making strides towards peacebuilding through innovative education initiatives. In 2012, peace dialogues between the government and armed groups like “Las FARC” gave hope to the Colombian people after decades of war. During Juan Manuel Santos’ presidency, a law was signed to promote a culture of peace in schools, making the Peace Lecture (PL) a mandatory course nationwide.
One significant initiative is the University of Cordoba’s Bilingualism for Peace project, which provides English classes to children from low-income families in Monteria. The project aims to promote values, peaceful interactions, and reduce social inequality. English teachers (ETs) involved in the project have observed violent behavior in their students, leading them to design lessons that address domestic violence, gang activities, and the influence of the drug trade on children’s behavior.
Another project, “Peace in Action,” implemented in a secondary school in Bogota, encouraged students to discuss and find solutions to violence in their community. Through role plays and discussions in English, students developed skills like empathy and conflict resolution, becoming peace ambassadors in their school and beyond.
These initiatives highlight the transformative power of education in promoting peace and addressing the root causes of violence in Colombian society. By integrating peacebuilding efforts into English language teaching, educators are not only improving language skills but also fostering a culture of peace among the younger generation. As these projects continue to expand and evolve, they serve as examples of how education can be a powerful tool in building a more peaceful and inclusive society in Colombia.