Community-Based Peace Education Framework for Sustainable and Transformative Peacebuilding

Abstract

The study explores the gap between Western peace education, which emphasizes universal principles such as human rights, democracy, and non-violent conflict resolution, and the cultural realities of the Philippines, where these models often do not resonate. Western peace education approaches are based on the premise of universal values and methods, which may not align with the unique cultural, social, and historical contexts of non-Western societies. Through a systematic review of both international and local literature, this paper highlights the necessity for peace education to be culturally sensitive and contextually relevant. The study introduces a Contextualized Peace Education Framework that is specifically tailored to Filipino values and societal norms, incorporating indigenous knowledge, community-driven solutions, and non-intrusive conflict resolution techniques. This framework emphasizes transformative education that fosters empowerment, integrates local histories, and respects the cultural importance of privacy in conflict resolution, providing a more appropriate and effective approach. The findings underscore the need for peace education to be adapted to local contexts, where a one-size-fits-all approach proves to be ineffective. This context-specific approach not only encourages social responsibility and sustainable peace but also promotes critical thinking towards sustainable peace and stronger community cohesion in the Philippine context.