Government Advocates for Peace Education at UNESCO Training in Poland

By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter

Sierra Leone showcased its commitment to peace education during the UNESCO International Policy Training on Addressing Violent Pasts through Education, held in Poland from September 15 to 20, 2025.

The Sierra Leonean delegation played a pivotal role in promoting the integration of peace education into national policies, emphasizing the importance of fostering reconciliation and unity through educational initiatives.

Taking place at the historic Auschwitz-Birkenau site, the week-long program gathered experts from over 20 countries to explore how education can transform painful histories into lessons of peace and reconciliation.

Representing key national institutions, the Sierra Leone team outlined three primary priorities:

1. Curriculum Reform: Enhancing civic education by incorporating peace education and lessons learned from Sierra Leone’s civil conflict alongside the Holocaust, aimed at promoting understanding and tolerance.
2. Public Engagement: Utilizing museums, cultural activities, and the arts to share civic narratives, connect communities to their history, and foster national cohesion.
3. Teacher Training and Institutions: Strengthening teacher capacity through collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), the National Commission for Civic Education and Development (NaCEED), the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), and the Monuments and Relics Commission.

Participants also reviewed the upcoming UNESCO Policy Guide on Addressing Violent Pasts through Education, designed to serve as a practical resource for governments worldwide in transforming collective memory into actionable steps for peace, civic responsibility, and reconciliation.

The Sierra Leone delegation underscored the nation’s unwavering commitment to building a resilient and inclusive education system—one that not only preserves historical narratives but also inspires future generations to advocate for peace, unity, and social cohesion.

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