International Day of Peace, celebrated on 21 September each year, is a poignant reminder of the importance of fostering harmony and understanding across the globe. It underscores the need for a world where conflicts are solved with dialogue and compassion, rather than acts of violence. The educational project of Reggio Emilia was born from the collective desire for the active construction of a peaceful future for all citizens – an honorable and important beacon of hope for all educators, families and children across the world.
An education that strives for peace plays a pivotal role in this vision, articulated through the values of empathy, tolerance, and cooperation. Such an education also nurtures children as global citizens with rights, who not only recognize the interconnectedness of humanity, but actively work to bridge cultural divides and advocate for social justice. By embedding peace-building skills into our children’s educational experiences, encouraging critical thinking and conflict resolution from the youngest of ages, we lay the foundation for a more just and harmonious world. This is a great responsibility and one that requires each of us to do our part.
“Peace is about being quiet, sometimes you are by yourself but you feel better when you are with your friends” Greta
“Peace comes when you are nice and calm, then your light can shine” Jasmine
” Peace is like the colour in the trees.” Henry
“When you let things go, and your body is calm, there is peace.” Oakes
(Thoughts on peace provided by Prep Students at The Friends’ School, Hobart).
