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Storytelling and Peace Education

Page history last edited by Mrs. Krahn 14 years, 8 months ago

A story is a descrption ofan experience that an individual or culture remembers, storytelling is the process of sharing this experience with others.  Storytelling is something that all of us do naturally inour daily lives when speaking to colleges, friends and family.  A story is useful in the classroom because it exercises student imagination, which is a significant component in learning empathy.  A story is a non threatening way to address difficult issues; it is easier to explain how a character may feel, than to express personal feelings.  Through stories, individuals can imagine what it would be like for individuals on both sides of an issue or conflict.  Storytelling and encouraging students to share personal stories are extremely successful methods of building trust and mutual understanding. I believe that stories can teach students valuable lessons that go beyond academic material and prepare them to become active global citizens.

 

Peace education is more than striving for the absence of war; it includes the formation of healthy cooperative communities.  It not only recognizes the differences in individuals, it involves embracing and celebrating these differences.  All members of society benefit when every individual in a community is able to use their talents and become successful members of their community.  Respect is a key component to this process, it is important in conflict to separate the individual from the problem (J Senehi, public presentation, September 15, 2007). Storytelling is an excellent tool to use in peace education; it builds trust relationships between the generations and provides youth the opportunity to understand each other. Storytelling is an excellent tool to help youth build empathy.   Stories provide  youth with an opportunity to step into another persons shoes and imagine what others are going through.

 

 

Stories are much more compelling than a list of facts to motivate individuals to change their behaviour towards each other and open dialog. I believe another key component to peace education in healing and reconciliation.  Ishmael Beah (2007) wrote  “I’ve come to learn that if I am going to take revenge, in that process I will kill another person whose family will want revenge: then revenge and revenge and revenge will never come to an end...”(pg 199).  Ishmael’s story was a strong testimony to the possibility for healing and a bright future after experiencing the atrocities of war.

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