DIR: The importance of peace for economic and social development was highlighted at a two-day workshop which concluded at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University in Sheringal, Upper Dir on Sunday.
The workshop on Peace and Education was sponsored by the United States government, and executed by the Institute of International Education and the United States Educational Foundation.
The organisers said the activity was aimed at disseminating the message of peace, equipping educators with the knowledge and skills to teach peace effectively, and propagate this important message through their teaching methodologies, exemplifying peace through their behavior.
The principal investigator, Dr Itbar Khan, a Hubert Humphrey Fellow, briefed the participants on the workshop’s themes and objectives.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor of SBBU Sheringal, Upper Dir, and Prof Dr Atta -Ur -Rahman, University of Malakand.Dr Muhammad Asif Nawaz, an associate professor of the Department of Biotechnology at the university, facilitated the workshop, bringing together educators and experts to create a platform for meaningful discussions on peace education.
The participants discussed conflict, its resolution strategies, mediation skills and qualities of a mediator. The perspective of Islam about peace, was explained in detail as well.
The resource persons said there was a need for including the message of peace in their pedagogy — the method and practice of teaching. The participants hoped the activity would help highlight the issue of peace in the region. The closing ceremony was attended by Professor Dr Muhammad Shahab, the vice-chancellor, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal.
