The Effect of Time and Safety on the Retention of Peace Education Concepts

• In Event: Creativity in World Politics Pedagogy

Abstract

My dissertation explores the viability of short-term peace education initiatives. I will conduct research with elementary-aged children in the Khanke IDP camp in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and in Culpeper, Virginia, utilizing mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to address two key questions: 1) Is a peacebuilding legacy achievable from a short-term program? 2) Does the safety of students affect knowledge retention? The variables under scrutiny are time and the perceived safety of students.

This research is crucial, as short-term peace education programs are often implemented in post-conflict regions. I aim to assess their impact on children's sense of safety and memory retention. By evaluating the effectiveness of these programs over time, we can optimize resource allocation for lasting peace education initiatives. The study will involve mixed-grade level classrooms, implementing the 'Creative Conflict Solving for Kids' curriculum. Taught by local teachers, the program aims to enhance conflict resolution and mindfulness skills across diverse age groups. Two competing theories will be tested: one positing that children feeling less safe will retain concepts better due to firsthand exposure to conflict, and the other suggesting that children feeling safer will retain concepts better due to a sense of security. Perceived safety will be measured using a 5-point scale, and students will elaborate on their responses, providing insights into their perceived safety levels.

The research will commence with a pre-test, gauging baseline knowledge through surveys and interviews. Following the two-week curriculum, students will be reevaluated to measure knowledge retention. Surveys and interviews will be repeated six months and one year later to assess long-term impact and correlation with perceived safety. This comprehensive study aims to contribute insights into the effectiveness of short-term peace education programs, guiding future initiatives for a more sustained impact on the well-being and education of children in post-conflict settings.

Authors

• Julie R Schupp, Virginia Tech

• Ariel Ahram, Virginia Tech