5 ways education can nurture peace

Peace, the UN reminds us, depends on individuals engaging with society, appreciating diverse cultures and worldviews, and addressing the root causes of conflict. Education plays a vital role, with stability and peacefulness strongly linked to higher education levels.

Yet, schools face major challenges: exam-focused systems, limited resources and modern distractions. How can education still nurture peace?

At school, children of different ethnicities, faiths and socioeconomic backgrounds meet, particularly if qualified students are admitted regardless of their ability to pay. The right teachers and a school ethos rooted in inclusion and mutual respect can foster an understanding that transcends traditional divides. “We treated each other as friends,” says Zayn Kassam, “not looking at whether they belonged to different faiths or that some ran to school barefoot while others came in Mercedes-Benzes.”

Curricula, activities and teaching styles can all influence student interactions.

Schools2030, an initiative led by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to improve learning outcomes in 10 countries, emphasises relationship-building, empathy and ethical decision-making. A participating school in Brazil, for example, often teaches in circles to model equity and belonging, and outdoors to encourage connection to the environment and respect for indigenous cultures. Grandparents visit to talk about their family history and culture, for children to learn about their own and others’ identities.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum at the Aga Khan Academies is enhanced by a focus on ethics, pluralism, cultures, governance and civil society, and economics for development. It aims to produce graduates who will “help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect”.

If children feel empathy, agency, responsibility and a sense of community, they are likely to grow up wanting to contribute to their world. Students who volunteer gain confidence, purpose and a connection with others, as well as valuable experience.

As part of the IB experience, students combine creativity, activity and service to achieve something for their community. Luciano Torriani wanted to give his community in Kwale County, Kenya access to basic utilities. He co-invented a 40 shilling (50 cent) electricity supply and water purification system. Arya Abdul was awarded a $1,500 grant to employ skilled workers to make assistive walkers for elderly and disabled Tanzanians. Other students have designed a sustainable, affordable irrigation system that helps Indian farmers save water.

As Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of Ryerson University, noted: "I can say that it was truly unique to hear every last student talk about advancing their communities rather than aspiring toward individualised accomplishments. The values and ethics expressed by the Academy students were truly inspiring."

Education equips young people with the skills to shape their futures and contribute to peaceful societies. Skills like literacy and numeracy enable participation in economic, social and cultural life: whether knowing one’s rights, getting a job, registering to vote, or managing a household budget. These abilities create a stable base for informed, active citizenship.

In coastal Kenya, vocational training has given vulnerable youth the tools to overcome cycles of poverty and social exclusion. As Walid Ahmed, Director of the Lamu Youth Alliance, noted: “With no education and no work, the impact on society is crime, robbery and drug abuse. Women are made to marry too early to try and secure their future.” In response, AKF partnered with Kenya’s Ministry of Education to integrate values-based curricula alongside vocational training for 16,000 young people, helping them build skills and a sense of purpose.

Education also nurtures critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving, which are essential for addressing societal challenges and engaging in democratic processes. In a world increasingly shaped by digital news, young people must be able to spot disinformation, explore diverse viewpoints beyond algorithmic bubbles, and participate in informed dialogue. These skills are vital to prevent divisiveness and promote constructive, peaceful dialogue.

Ultimately, education leads to populations better equipped and more likely to pursue non-violent paths to change. This has long-term benefits: non-violent uprisings that topple authoritarian regimes are more likely to transition to democracy and sustain civil peace.

Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism, has spent many years addressing some of the worst conflict and instability in Africa and Asia. She identifies a function for education in creating and sustaining peace: “I saw the need to revisit so many elements of the social fabric, from how history was taught and ethnic identity represented in the educational curriculum to how to make the online space less divisive.”

Education in Rwandan schools once deepened divisions between Hutus and Tutsis, with practices such as ethnicity admissions quotas and the teaching of racist stereotypes. Today, peace and values education are embedded throughout primary and secondary school, emphasising national unity, global citizenship and critical thinking in challenging situations.

During prolonged conflict, children lose access to education, along with stability, chances for social interaction and essential resources like nutrition and health care. But where education can continue, the next generation is better prepared to cope psychologically, earn a living and lead its country towards a brighter future.

In partnership with UNICEF, AKF has helped Syrian communities establish preschools, laying a foundation for academic and life skills. The preschools help build resilience and handle adversity. For instance, when a six-year-old girl lost her father in the war, she fell silent for months. Her family had no means to take her to a doctor, but her time in preschool helped her cope with her trauma.

“She began to interact with her teacher and peers, though still without speaking,” says Razan Alshehawe of AKF Syria. “After receiving specialised emotional support, and her family being guided on how to care for her, she gradually started to communicate. By the time the new school year began, this young girl entered first grade just like any other child – talking, learning and participating.”

The UN has found that “gender equality is the number one predictor of peace – more so than a state’s wealth, level of democracy, or religious identity”. Denying women the freedom to participate in society, and the opportunity to socially and economically contribute, leads to poverty and conflict for entire countries.

Education plays a crucial role in dismantling the barriers that keep women and girls from learning, working and leading. It can equip boys and girls with the knowledge and attitudes to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Schools can foster equality by removing gender biases from curricula, training teachers in gender-sensitive methods and creating inclusive learning environments.

For example, the availability of separate toilets for female students is essential for ensuring their safety, dignity and regular attendance. In India, nationwide initiatives to improve sanitation and privacy in schools aim to reduce absenteeism and dropout rates, particularly among underprivileged students, ensuring more girls continue their education.

By supporting girls to stay in school, education also offers alternatives to early marriage, creating opportunities for careers and economic independence. Institutions such as the Aga Khan Hostel in Sherqilla, Pakistan, allow girls from rural and remote areas to continue their education further afield, addressing the mobility restrictions they often face.

When education empowers women to contribute socially and economically, entire communities benefit. Equal participation reduces inequality, strengthens economies and encourages collaboration – essential ingredients for long-term peace.

Learn more about AKDN’s education activities