Cultivating Peace Culture: The Journey of Peace Education in Indonesia

Indonesia, with Jakarta as its capital, stands as the world's fourth-most populous country, home to over 1,300 ethnicities coexisting in a multicultural nation. The largest ethnic group, the Javanese, constitutes 40% of the population. The educational system, spans six years of elementary, three years of middle, and three years of high school. Notably, 11 universities and educational institutions in Indonesia have signed MOUs with HWPL, highlighting their commitment to peace education.

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The Journey of peace education in Indonesia

In 2018, during the 26th World Peace Tour, Indonesia's Jakarta Islamic State University appointed Chairman Lee Man Hee as an honorary chancellor and Ph.D of peace. This university, the largest in Indonesia, played a pivotal role in endorsing peace education. The transformative journey towards peace education took a significant turn with the signing of the MOU between Jakarta Islamic State University and HWPL in January 2018. Chairman Lee Man Hee's impassioned speech at the inauguration ceremony and the subsequent distribution of peace textbooks marked a groundbreaking shift in the educational landscape. Indonesian students, touched by the visit of the HWPL Peace Delegation, actively participated, expressing their desire for peace through performances and chants.

 

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Practice of Peace Education in Indonesia

With Vice-Chancellor Yusron Razak's signature, 11 Indonesian universities simultaneously became HWPL Peace Schools, receiving peace textbooks on the same occasion. In May 2022, 11 Indonesian educators visited South Korea for a 3-day workshop on HWPL peace education. This workshop was organized to help Indonesian Universities to implement HWPL peace education into their curriculum. Professors highlighted the effectiveness of the program in fostering a deeper understanding of peace education.

Professor Epi Sharifuddin from Jakarta praised HWPL's peace education, expressing its potential to inspire people globally. Professor Ali Munhanif from Jakarta commended HWPL's efforts, emphasizing the necessity of peace values in divided nations. Both professors recognized the importance of HWPL's peace education in promoting citizen participation in peacebuilding. Professor Munhanif who attended "4th Anniversary of the World Peace Summit" in September 2022, emphasized the goal of transforming all Indonesian Islamic universities into peace education centers, drawing inspiration from HWPL's systematic approach to peace education.

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Peace education progression in Indonesia

In 2022, Makassar Airlangga State University conducted peace education, with students emphasizing the importance of personal conduct in fostering peace. HWPL, providing educational materials in Indonesian, recently conducted peace education for kindergarten teachers, covering HWPL Peace Textbook chapter 1 to 5. Teachers who underwent HWPL's peace education program realized the significance of self-realization in teaching peace. Henny Surya Supriyanti highlighted how self-awareness contributes to societal construction, while Dita Maestra Kusumadewi recognized the value of knowing oneself in building a peaceful society. Nur Fauziah Harsana emphasized the importance of understanding one's worth.

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Transformation of Indonesian Educational Landscape

Indonesia's commitment to peace education, shaped by the influence of HWPL and Chairman Lee Man Hee’s visionary leadership, is transforming the educational landscape. Educators in Indonesia recognize the value of HWPL's systematic approach, believing that peace education is not just a curriculum but a path towards building a harmonious society. As the journey continues, Indonesia remains dedicated to nurturing a generation with a deep understanding and commitment to peace.