JANARDAN RAI NAGAR RAJASTHAN VIDYAPEETH UNIVERSITY

(Established Under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 vide Notification No. F.9-5/84-U-3, January 12, 1987 of the Government of India)

LOKMANYA TILAK TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE

DABOK-313022,UDAIPUR (RAJ.)
(“A” Graded by National Assessment and Accreditation Council)

International Conference on
“Promoting Social Cohesion Through Peace Education”
(March 25th to 27th, 2010)

CONCEPT PAPER

Most of the recent documents on Education at National as well as

International level have stressed the need of including education for peace in
educational curricula. Keeping the importance of this dimension of
education, this institution had organized an International Conference on
Peace Education last year.

In continuation of the previous International Conference, it is

proposed to organize another International Conference on the theme
“Promoting Social Cohesion through Peace Education”. The idea is to
examine the various dimensions of social cohesion and to discuss how Peace
Education can be instrumental in ensuring social cohesion. The two Peace
and Social Cohesion are interdependent. Looking to the present global
scenario there is an urgent need to think about ways to promote social
cohesion. The conflicts between nations and religious groups resulting in
terrorism have made it most essential to strengthen the forces of social
cohesion for lasting peace. It is all the more important for a country like
India which has a pluralistic society with multireligious, multilingual and
multicultural compositions. Peace in such a society can only be ensured by
promoting social cohesion. We have a long history of religious conflicts,
cast conflicts, regional chauvinism and many such happenings which are
detrimental to social cohesion and ultimately to lasting Peace in Society.

Some news items given below would substaintiate our argument

• “28 kids kidnapped from Leh for religious Conversion” TOI
30th Oct.,2010.
• “LTTE Still a threat to country” TOI 2nd Nov. 2010
• “Badal Warns unrest in Punjab” TOI 10th Nov. 2010
• “At least 500 terrorists still active in Jammu and Kashmir” TOI
11th Nov. 2010.

Many more news headings could be cited.

Kaka Kalelkar had very nicely described the Indian Society Stating
“India is like a great family no doubt, but the members of the family are not
living in harmony. Just as in an India family brothers though live together
but frequently quarrel among themselves. So is the case of different religious
groups in India.”

Before discussing role of Peace Education in developing Social

Cohesion it will be worthwhile to clarify the meaning of this term. Social
Cohesion has been described as the glue which binds society together,
promoting harmony, a sense of community and commitment to promoting
common good. According to council of Europe “A Cohesive society is
mutually supportive community of free individuals pursuing the common
goals by democratic means.” A review of four policy documents from the
French and candian Governments, OECD and club of Rome highlights five
main dimension of social cohesion. (i) shared values, identity, feelings of
commitment (ii) Equal opportunities of access (iii) Participative in political,
economic, social and cultural life (iv) respecting and tolerating differences in
a pluralist society (v) Respect of institutions acting as mediators in conflicts
of a pluralist society.

It is very essential to ensure through Peace Education that the new

generation becomes more liberal respectful to others beliefs and feelings and
resists the disruptive tendencies and violence which are detrimental to social
cohesion and lasting Peace. This can not be achieved through political
efforts because many politicians survive only on divisions in the society. It
is only through education for Peace that social cohesion can be promoted.
The teaching of social sciences has a greater role to play in achieving this. In
this Conference an effort will be made to deliberate upon the methods and
strategies to achieve social cohesion through education. Attitudinal changes
will have to be brought about in our students so that they become
messengers of social cohesion. Some activities, projects, literature could be
thought about which could be helpful in promoting social cohesion, resulting
in Peace in the society.

Adolescents and youth are prominent groups which are vulnerable in a

situation of conflict between different ethnic or religious groups. They are
used by vested interests who thrive upon communal tensions and conflicts.
Education should develop sensitivity in them for remaining away from
conflicts and work positively for ensuring social cohesion.
 The sub themes of the Conference would be as follows.
1. Concept of social cohesion and its present status in Indian Society
in particular and Global Society in general.
2. Sociological, psychological and political analysis of social
conflicts/tensions.
3. Factors detrimental to social cohesion and consequently to peace.
4. Indian Philosophical, Cultural traditions which advocate Peace,
tolerance, respect for others way of life or thinking etc.
5. Educational Curricular content, projects, activities helpful for
promotig social cohesion.
6. Actual action plans, projects activities undertaken by some
educational institutions for promoting socials cohesion.