Peace Education for Children in Post-Conflict Societies as Part of a Conflict Transformative Approach: Theory in Practice?

Abstract: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how peace education for children can work as part of a broader conflict transformation process in intractable and post-conflict societies. The study sets out to establish if and how theoretically researched knowledge combines with the actual practical work of peace educators and to note the contribution of peace education in the transformative approach.To assist in achieving my aims, I am applying a comparative evaluation method that allows for a comparison to be made between theory and practice. I have devised two case illustrations concerning specific organisations which can be evaluated with regard to their work with peace education. I have also conducted a thorough literature analysis which has enabled the study to incorporate appropriately selected theoretical approaches to be examined against the work of the practitioners.The research concludes with a discussion centred on my findings and the normative standpoint that I take: that peace education certainly plays a significant role in the overall conflict transformative process and that theoretical knowledge can and should be the basis of its practical work.Keywords: Peace education, conflict transformation, children, post-conflict, theory and practice