IIPE Nepal – An extraordinary experience!
It is very difficult to put into words the feelings that the experience of participating in the Educators for Peace meeting, organized by the International Institute on Peace Education, gave me. For a long time, I have longed to meet people who have the same goals and values that I have nurtured in my life. When it comes to pacifism, activism and studies in the field of education, I have always had to forge paths to follow, without finding support in the process. I have been carrying out programs aligned with these principles for over 20 years, but I have always had great difficulty in finding colleagues in the profession and vocation, with the exception of my team at the Fora da Caixa collective, who stood by me, always believing in my projects, no matter how surreal they might seem. Most people have little knowledge of or engagement in learning the strategies of nonviolence, transformative pedagogy and philosophies that integrate human values, social justice and ecological awareness into their teaching practices.
Although I often felt like I was preaching in the desert, I maintained my dream of introducing these concepts in a practical way, without seeking magical or mystical solutions. This was only possible when I found the Educandário e Instituto André Luiz, where I was able to implement the Education for Peace program with all the support and freedom I dreamed of. One of the sweetest fruits of this partnership was the invitation to present our project to this learning community, which meets to exchange experiences, empower and nurture educators from all over the world in the search for pedagogical models that align with the values mentioned above.
The IIPE Nepal meeting was an immersive experience that lasted a week. During that time, we stayed in Nagarkot, a mountainous region an hour and a half from Kathmandu. The Soaltee Westend resort is a charming place, surrounded by mountains, flower gardens, spacious chalets and excellent service. The meals were like banquets, and the entire staff was very attentive, always smiling and ready to pamper us. The view is spectacular, so magnificent that, at times, we were taken away from our activities due to a “Beauty Emergency”, with scenes of nature that needed to be captured immediately! Below are some photos of this beautiful place, at different times of the day: morning, sunset, night, as well as details of the decor and ambiance.
When I arrived and began to meet the other participants and organizers, I immediately felt that my heart had found my tribe, my spiritual family. It was like the tale of the Ugly Duckling, who, after suffering from isolation, lack of empathy and the absence of beings who understood him, found a lake with swans and recognized himself in his peers. I found human beings who belonged to the same spiritual lineage as me and spoke my language. It was truly magical.
The beloved organizers Tony Jenkins and Janet Gerson held a tribute during the event to Betty Reardon , who passed away on November 23, 2023. She was a co-founder of the Global Peace Campaign , internationally celebrated as the founder of the field of Peace Education, a feminist, and a tireless scholar in this field. Her spiritual presence was felt and celebrated throughout the gathering.
Tony Jenkins is the Managing Director of the International Institute on Peace Education (IIPE) , coordinates the work of the Global Campaign for Peace Education , and is an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University in the Program on Justice and Peace.
Janet Gerson – Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University (2014) is the winner of the 2014 Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) Graduate Student Paper Award for her dissertation Public Deliberation on Global Justice: The World Tribunal on Iraq (WTI). She is the Director of Education for the International Institute on Peace Education (IIPE) , based at the University of Toledo. For the past two years, she has been a member of the Global Community Forum, TC’s Project Planning Committee, led by Dr. Morton Deutsch.
She was Co-Director of the Center for Peace Education, Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City (2001-2010) where she taught courses in peace and conflict education.
These presentations are necessary so that other educators feel inspired and may be interested in considering the field of Peace Education academically, seeking consistent and in-depth training at Universities abroad, since in Brazil there is still no motivation or support within institutions (with rare exceptions) that offer this type of study.
Total admiration for this super powerful trio! Friends that I will take with me for life!
Sikander and Abhi
My presentation was on the first day and my IIPE colleagues quickly demonstrated respect and genuine interest in learning more about the Education for Peace project and other projects of the Coletivo Fora da Caixa.
The interaction between groups of educators from various countries such as Nepal, India, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, Turkey, the United States, Russia, Africa, Korea, the Philippines, among others, was intense, genuine and meaningful. There were workshops, plenary sessions, reflection groups, cultural activities such as presentations of typical Nepalese dances, musical experiences, lots of dancing and fun. Without leaving aside difficult topics such as the climate crisis, conflicts and wars, mental health, politics, transformative pedagogies and proposals for changing paradigms.
Participants in the Eco Peace workshop with Carlos A. Muniz Osório from Costa Rica. Photo by Alyssa Reyes.
Regina and Efi Latsoudi – Co-Founder of Lesvos Solidarity.
We also took a cultural trip, spending a day in Kathmandu, visiting the Boudhanath stupa, which is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. We took the approximately one and a half hour bus ride from Nagarkot to the city and the ride was great fun. Gunjan, our companion and favorite DJ, prepared a playlist with Nepalese and Indian music that rocked our bus, which was affectionately nicknamed the “dancing bus.” You can feel the joy of our group in the video, and when we passed the other bus in our group, they cheered even more!
Gunjan Jha – Photo by Tomáz Dario
Visit to Stupa in Kathmandu
Shannon Kobran’s photo
Mary Abura, Wim Laven, Regina and Sarah Schmidt
Boudhanath has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The site is filled with devotees, monks, tourists, and there are many shops, cafes, and temples. Despite the hustle and bustle, it is a peaceful place, with many prayers, prayer flags, good vibes, and a harmony that immediately transports you to a feeling of spirituality and serenity.
Lecture at the Museum located in Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu, where we had a lesson on the History and Culture of Nepal. We also visited the museum and archaeological site that houses the former palaces of the royal family that were almost completely destroyed in the 2015 earthquake and are still being restored.
In another article I will discuss more about the history of this place.
Traditional Nepalese Music – a group formed by women who defied tradition to be able to play instruments that were played only by men until recently.
Meeting with intellectuals who work in the Education for Peace Network and the UNESCO representative in Nepal, which is also mandatory in the entire education system in the country.
Tony Jenkins – Foto de Chiranjibi Bandari
Linda, Alissa and Awng – Beautiful and sweet people! Friends/sisters for life!
The energy of this group is contagious! There are so many incredible photos of these beautiful people! Photo by Tomaz Dário.
Mica Segal and Baby Lucas, our beautiful peace baby! Photo by IIPE Home
Another beautiful photo of this lovely family! Photo by Mica Segal.
Linda Longmire, Vidya Jain, Regina Proença
Photo by Shannon Kobran.
Chiranjibi Bhandari and Vidya Jain
Qamaruzzaman Amir – Human Values Workshop
Photo by Pramila Bisunki.
Smiling people doing good for the world!
Juhi Adhikari – A sweet, loving person with an vibrant energy!
Photo by Amanda Munroe.
A more than special group that lives in my heart!
Kevin Kester, Alissa Reyes, Tony Jenkins, Stephanie Knowx Steiner
Final presentation of our reflection group:
Typical Nepalese Dance:
Rajib Timalsina – Assistant Professor at the Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, one of the organizers of the meeting in Nepal.
I could write pages and pages detailing all the best moments I experienced and everything I learned from this group. These memories are very much alive in my heart. I haven’t mentioned everyone who was special, but I’m sure that, in their hearts, they know their value. It was truly a privilege to meet soul brothers and sisters who connected with this pedagogy that seeks to establish a Positive, loving, profound and transformative Peace. Among its main inspirations is the work of two Brazilians: Paulo Freire and Augusto Boal, two enlightened human beings who paved the way, through education and theater, for the world to be a better place, less oppressive, more inclusive and with more empathy.
We are aware of the difficulties and challenges that the nonviolent approach faces, as our culture is dominated by conflicts, violence, competition and denialism in various areas. But together we are stronger and we are offering real alternatives for the establishment of Peace. We need to start by educating the heart, without naivety or superficiality. We are dreamers, yes, but we dream awake. We achieve while we dream and we make a difference in many ways in various countries. Of course, it would be easier and faster if people understood that there is no asset more precious than Peace, just as there is nothing more important for our existence as a species than the preservation and care of Nature. Our home is our planet; no other can be inhabited until it can meet all our needs. As Gandhi would say: “Nature can meet all the needs of man, except his greed.”
Sometimes I wonder if our intelligence will ever reach this wisdom, so simple and so true. However, there is no time for regrets; there is much work to be done, and, at the point where things are, any time wasted could lead us to failure as a species. Therefore, I join with my brothers and sisters who have chosen Education for Peace as their life mission, and we move forward, strengthened by the communion of values and love for others, in the implementation of pedagogies that transform, illuminate and create golden and precious bonds around this beautiful planet we call Earth.
Namaste IIPE! Namaste Nepal!
Regina Proença
