A three-day training programme for teachers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA on the concepts of peace education, non-violent conflict resolution, leadership and motivational skills, social cohesion and interfaith harmony ended here at University of Peshawar.
Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar (UoP) speaking on the occasion said that peace and leadership go hand in hand. It’s the opinion makers and leaders in a society, who are at the helm of affairs and can trigger any change whether constructive or destructive.
Prof. Dr. Qibla Ayaz said to the teachers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA that in today’s globalized world there is a far greater need of acceptance of diversity and interfaith harmony.
The three days training for teachers of state run schools organized by PEAD Foundation in partnership with USIP under the project “Pakistan Centre of Excellence (PACE)”.
Executive Director of PEAD Foundation Sameena Imtiaz said on the occassion the purpose of the programme was to provide a plateform to teachers to learn, discuss and debate local, national and global issues in an open and reflective environment.
Besides acquiring soft-skills critical thinking, non-violent conflict resolution and interpersonal communication skills they would be exposed to other cultures through various means of communication to help them understand and promote tolerance and respect towards others, she maintained.
Sameena Imtiaz further said that the proposed project advocates the re-conceptualization of teachers’ role as “harbingers of change” for peace, non-violence and democratic consolidation and seeks a positive behavioral change among the target beneficiaries.
It is anticipated that teachers participating in this training will be taking the lead in spreading the word on a culture of peace in their schools and communities. At the end of the training session, certificates were also distributed among the teachers.