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ABSTRACT
The international crises that necessitate cooperation between nations and the prevalence of violent behaviors in different countries have led to a need for educational processes that support peaceful attitudes and behaviors. Iran is one such country that suffers from violence-related issues, which may stem from a lack of educational processes. Given the importance of training for peace and the role of educational institutions, this qualitative study aimed to discuss the need to establish peace studies in Iranian universities and the prerequisites needed for this purpose. The study involved 35 faculty members, mainly specializing in law, political science, sociology, and curriculum planning, who participated in semi-structured interviews. The multicultural nature of Iranian society, the high prevalence of violent behaviors, Iran’s geographical location in the volatile Middle East, and the need to develop relations with other nations make it necessary to establish peace studies. The study found that establishing peace studies not only educates professionals who are enthusiastic about peace but also fosters the development of ideas and policies that promote peace in Iran. In sum, this study highlights the importance of promoting peaceful attitudes through higher education.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. Peace education is the systematic or unstructured instruction of the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes that foster peace and lessen violence in interpersonal interactions. A wide range of subjects are covered in peace education, including communication skills, environmental conservation, equality, and global understanding. But as a university major, peace studies focuses on peace education and peace research in a structured manner. In this regard, as a multidisciplinary field, it inspires all academic fields.
2. Based on Notre Dame University, 400 institutions worldwide offer programs in peace studies.
3. Galtung (Citation1969) states that negative peace means the absence of direct violence, whereas positive peace emphasizes sustainable justice and positive human values.
4. It was stated by a sociologist, researcher.
5. It was stated by the associate professor of political science, and researcher in the field of politics and development, who has been teaching and conducting research for more than 30 years.
6. It was stated by the associate professor of cultural studies, and researcher in the field of higher education and culture.
7. It was stated by the associate professor of Educational Planning, and researcher in the field of higher education.
8. It was stated by associate professor of Political Science and International Relations, who has been teaching for more than 25 years.
9. It was stated by the associate professor of Sociology, who has been teaching for more than 20 years.
10. According to the World Bank, the inflation rate in Iran in 2021 was 43.4%.
11. A report by the Environmental Performance Index (2022) ranked Iran in 133rd place among countries in terms of environmental indexes.
12. It was stated by the associate professor of Higher Education Development Planning.
13. When considering peace training, the role of teachers is of paramount importance. In this regard, teachers are better to employ cooperative teaching methods, such as critical discussions on diverse issues and allowing students to take on the role of ‘teacher-student’. This approach emphasizes a democratic relationship between the teacher and students, where the teacher assumes a humble and open attitude, promoting a dynamic of tolerance and democratic awareness. Furthermore, teachers can utilize creative tools, including playing movies and documentaries, having role plays and simulation sessions, and arranging group activities, to increase the effectiveness of teaching peace. In the case of Iran, teachers and professors need to consider some activities based on Iranian demographic features. For instance, collaborative activity and teamwork between students, especially from different ethnicities, would be a good idea.