(Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran, UNAMID)
What is one secret to peace?
Conflict and suffering go hand in hand. As wars ravage societies, civilians are often caught in the crossfire or are forced to leave their homes to live as refugees in neighbouring countries.
And, according to the 2017 IISS Armed Conflict Survey, five of the ten most lethal conflicts in 2016 took place in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For the communities affected by the conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Nigeria, war halts the economy, separates families, disrupts schooling and destroys infrastructure. But while conflicts arise from a variety of complex political and economic causes, including disagreements over natural resources and power distribution, peace can be promoted at the individual level.
So, what is one secret to peace?
Children.
August 12th is International Youth Day and on this day, the world celebrates youth and their potential as agents of change in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Children are the future, and children dedicated to finding peaceful solutions to conflict brings us closer to a future without war, crisis, and turmoil.
But, how can we raise children dedicated to peace, especially if they are already living in emergency environments?
Education.
Education plays a crucial role in moulding a peaceful society. Education is a means through which social and cultural values are transmitted. Depending on the values passed on, education can be an avenue for sharing positive stereotypes and attitudes that explicitly or implicitly condone violence and conflict. Further, children can be taught the socio-emotional skills that help them to peacefully resolve conflicts and to treasure all human life. While teaching children their human rights solidifies the idea that everyone has the right to life, dignity and health.
Unfortunately, though, the educational infrastructure in many sub-Saharan states is already strained, with overcrowded classrooms and limited teaching materials. So, many teachers may not be able to justify using precious classroom time to teach children about their rights or how to manage their emotions, despite the importance of this type of education.
Social enterprises like Ubongo are working to fill this education gap in Africa. Ubongo creates educational cartoons that teach children STEM topics, general literacy and numeracy. But, our cartoons also have the capability of teaching children much more than how to read and write.
So, can cartoons really help prevent conflict and raise peaceful children?
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJfvqHAC6Nc[/embedyt]
Cartoons are a powerful and unique way to teach children the difficult topics that teachers may not be able to address in African classrooms. And since cartoons are familiar and filled with likeable, iconic characters, children might trust the message more and want to emulate the behaviours displayed in the episodes. Ubongo works hard to create content with characters that inspire children to love learning, and almost more importantly, teaches children critical socio-emotional skills that help them handle adversity and address the conflicts that they will inevitably face.
According to CASEL, the Collaborative on Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, social and emotional learning is the process through which children learn how to acquire and effectively apply the skills, attitudes and knowledge necessary to understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others, to feel and show empathy for others, to establish and maintain positive relationships and to make responsible decisions, all traits that are precursors to effective conflict prevention and resolution.
Cartoons like Ubongo Kids teaches pro-social behaviour in children as their content demonstrates grit, curiosity, purpose and a growth mindset.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfD2krMXmR4[/embedyt]
CASEL found that a strong social and emotional skill set results in more positive attitudes towards oneself, tasks and others. This also includes a better sense of confidence, persistence and empathy, resulting in more positive social behaviours and relationships with peers. There also seems to be a greater connection and commitment to school, as well as an increased sense of purpose. In the long run, this can result in decreased criminal behaviour and increased citizenry, both traits that can lead to a more peaceful society.
“We will do great things with our lives when we get all our rights.”
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN561v2o2V4[/embedyt]
A human rights education is an equally important part of a peacebuilding education. Ubongo has previously partnered with the UN to produce songs that teach children their human rights, and specifically, their rights as children. By teaching human rights, you begin building a universal culture of human rights. Such a culture supports the societal mindset that human rights should be expected and truth, versus the idea that standard rights are a dream or a lofty goal.
Teaching children that they have the right to an education, to health and the right to play has a wide array of benefits. When you teach children that they should be treated with respect and dignity, you teach them that they have the responsibility to treat others in the same way. You empower children with skills and a mindset that will help them and their community far beyond the classroom when you teach them that there they have the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to express their own opinions
This generation of youth is the largest in history. And, many of these children suffer from the effects of conflict. But this generation can’t be excluded from preventing conflict and building peace, in fact, they are the key. Though many of the factors that lead to conflict or events that impede on human rights are beyond a child’s control, you can begin setting the building blocks for a more peaceful society that champions universal rights as truth, now. This process might be slow and difficult, but innovative programs like educational cartoons can help to raise peaceful children who will fight for their own rights and respect the rights of their neighbour.
