Non-violence in a world of turbulence

Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defenses of peace must be constructed – Constitution of UNESCO

The United Nations General Assembly, on 15 June 2007, adopted a resolution to observe the International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and “pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence”. The United Nations, through the Resolution, reaffirmed the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence, and the mutually reinforcing interlinkages of non-violence, tolerance, full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, and development. The United Nations urges all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence in an appropriate manner and to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”.

What is the value of the philosophy of non-violence in today’s turbulent world? The devastating conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Yemen and other places have claimed millions of lives, destabilising social cohesion and peaceful coexistence of communities, creating widespread misery and refugee crises, often in flagrant abuses of international humanitarian laws. The humanitarian emergencies in ongoing wars and conflicts in different regions have led to the collapse of schools, hospitals and other health infrastructure, and related social services, disrupting learning opportunities for children and complicating maternal and infant health where expectant mothers deliver babies in risky and unsafe environments.

Educational institutions, teachers and students suffer during conflicts. Conflicts do not only destroy education infrastructure but the possibility of sustainable peace because education is not merely an infrastructure but an effort towards developing and shaping conscience and consciousness.

While speaking at the event, the UNESCO MGIEP International Director Obijiofor Aginam observed that, “peace education emerges as a potent antidote to the widespread violence, both physical, symbolic, structural and epistemological. Such varied forms of violence do not restrict themselves to wars and conflicts only but find expression through unqualified prejudices in the form of racism, casteism, gender discrimination, and many more.

Considering the historical and contemporary challenges of building peaceful and sustainable societies, Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and ethics become pertinent. Values such as compassion, empathy, tolerance, and mutual respect have become alarmingly urgent to be integrated into a revised approach to peace education. UNESCO, through its 2023 revised landmark recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable development, has reaffirmed the role and significance of Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable development in the face of 21st century threats and challenges. At its core, the report argues for empowering learners with the necessary knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, and behaviours to become agents of peace in their communities.”

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “Let us remember Gandhi’s wise counsel: ‘Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.’ Let us heed his words today and re-commit ourselves to this essential purpose”. To heed this noble and moral call to duty, every human being must strive to construct the pillars and defenses of peace in their minds. This International Day of Non-Violence deserves a renewed emphasis on the urgent need for peace education around the globe.

Obijiofor Aginam, an international law and global governance scholar is the Director of UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, a UNESCO Category 1 Research Institute in New Delhi.