In the heart of Southeast Asia, a region marred by armed conflicts, a critical discussion on peace education took center stage. From the 24th to the 25th of September 2025, Jakarta, Indonesia, hosted a meeting organized by UNESCO, focusing on sustainable peace education in this diverse and troubled region.
The meeting brought together policymakers, educators, and peace practitioners from across Southeast Asia, aiming to explore the transformative power of education in fostering peace. With conflicts raging in countries like Southern Thailand, where a separatist insurgency has intensified, and Myanmar, ruled by a junta, the need for peace education is more apparent than ever. Indonesia, too, faces challenges with conflicts between the government and extremist groups, as well as the persecution of religious minorities.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the meeting's focus was on peace education, the path to achieving it is far from straightforward. The first session delved into the implementation of peace education, guided by 14 principles and 7 key areas outlined by UNESCO's 2023 Recommendation. Speakers from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste emphasized the need for inclusive policies that engage youth and are grounded in the unique contexts of each country.
The second session took a lifelong learning approach, with stakeholders from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste sharing their national strategies. They highlighted the importance of teacher education, school leadership, and curriculum reform, incorporating civic and human rights education.
And this is the part most people miss... The third session, titled "Strategies for 2026-2030," focused on transformative education to advance peace. Speakers from Cambodia, Timor-Leste, and Thailand discussed the need for education to go beyond knowledge transmission. They urged for education to foster empathy, healing, and critical reflection, especially when addressing historical trauma and integrating multiple narratives into history education.
The fourth session explored how education can foster human development and lasting peace. Sunmi Ji, head of UNESCO's APCEIU, shared their center's efforts in promoting a culture of peace through teacher development, curriculum design, pedagogy, and partnerships.
The fifth and sixth sessions showcased successful peace education initiatives in the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Malaysia, including the use of art and digital media. Presenters also called for integrating peace studies, human rights, and ecological justice into higher education, emphasizing the need for enhanced faculty training and academic freedom.
In the final interactive session, participants voted on the three most important topics for education for peace in ASEAN. Global Citizenship Education topped the list, followed by social justice, media literacy, values and ethics, history and memory, climate change and sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
The Peace News Network (PNN) has been actively covering peace education initiatives in Indonesia. In September 2025, PNN published an article on UNESCO's Social Media 4 Peace project, which aims to build resilience against online hate speech and promote peace through social media and digital technology. In December 2024, PNN highlighted Saepudin Mashuri's work on multicultural religious education for peace in post-conflict Poso, Indonesia, where a successful educational model has been implemented, incorporating religious learning, extracurricular activities, and socio-religious programs.
As we navigate the complex landscape of peace education in Southeast Asia, it's clear that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The discussions and initiatives highlighted here offer a glimpse into the diverse approaches and challenges faced in this region. What do you think is the most crucial aspect of peace education? Should it focus on knowledge transmission or empathy building? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's continue this important conversation!
