Major challenges facing peace education: What does the research tell us? Gavriel Salomon, Center for Research on Peace Education Haifa University, Israel September,

Deligitimization and dehumanization of the other side ’ s history, beliefs & identity A major factor underlying intractable conflicts

Develop empathy for the “ other ’ s ” suffering and fears Acknowledge one ’ s own role in the conflict Develop non- violent disposition & behaviors Accept the legitimacy of the “ other ’ s ” collective narrative

Major challenges facing peace education

The need to create a social ripple effect Challenge 1:

The need for impact endurance Challenge 2:

Does Friendship Between Adversaries Generalize? (Bar-Natan, 2005) Pretest PosttestDelayed Posttest

Immediate impact of PE on central and peripheral beliefs (Rosen, 2006) t=4.31** t=1.03, ns

Declining impact of the PE program (Rosen, 2006) t=3.73** t=.0.21, ns

That which can be changed through an educational intervention can as easily be changed back by adverse socio- political forces

Challenge 3: One size does not fit all: The need to develop differential programs

Learning to apply general beliefs and principles to specific situations Challenge 4:

Obedience to authority: Milgram, 1964

Zimbardo’s simulated prison, 1973

Darley & Latane (1968), the bystander effect

"The problem comes down to this: We are not putting to work what we know… We do not have a knowledge gap – we have a monumental use-of-knowledge gap" (Perkins, 1992, p. 3).

Conclusions: Peace education can, under certain conditions, be effective for those who participate in it and for a relatively short time. However, to be truly effective, i.e., to have necessary societal and lasting effects, the macro challenges need to be successfully addressed.

…And a question: To what extent do these challenges apply also to – -Human rights education (e.g. Armenia)? -Anti racism education (e.g., Germany)? -Democracy education (e.g., Congo)? And their likes.