Educating for peace: the role of adult learning in rebuilding communities and preventing conflict

english

2026

volume 32, issue 1

Univerza v Ljubljani, Filozofska fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

In an era of rising global insecurity and social fragmentation, adult learning and education (ALE) plays a critical role in peace-building and community resilience. This essay examines the transformative potential of ALE in conflict and post-conflict contexts, highlighting its contribution to societal transformation, community learning centres, inclusive programmes for marginalised populations, and the development of future visions. Drawing on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) frameworks – including the 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development and the 2022 Marrakech Framework for Action – it underscores how lifelong learning can foster critical thinking, empathy, solidarity, and democratic participation. By enabling individuals and communities to navigate adversity, rebuild trust, and engage in constructive dialogue, ALE functions as a catalyst for sustainable peace, social inclusion, and collective action. Investment in adult education is both a human right and a societal imperative allowing learners to acquire important peacebuilding competencies such as empathy, solidarity, and environmental stewardship.

20.10.2026