Peace education: state of the art of peace culture, discussion of theories and scientific production

Abstract

The objective of this article is to distinguish the progress on Peace Education associated with Alternative Methods of Conflict Resolution (MARC) in Ecuador, through a State of the Art that covers the research carried out between 2016 and 2020, to promote it as a subject in the official Curriculum through the identification of the differences between peace and conflict, through the analysis of academic writings on peace education and the description of the notion of the main theories related to Culture of Peace. The traditional education model and its curriculum focus their objectives on the development of skills and competencies. From this perspective, conflict is assumed as something negative. It does not take into account the structural violence linked to power relations between teachers and students. Due to this, a positive and comprehensive approach to conflict is insisted upon, where it is sought to transform it into non-violence, but at the same time entails a critical analysis of structural violence in power relations. This will allow the construction of an environment of peaceful coexistence where conflicts are addressed through mediation and other alternative methods of conflict resolution.