Peace Education Takes Root in Lusaka: Zambia Builds a Model for Sustainable Peace

The capital city of Zambia, Lusaka, is institutionalizing peace education across its public schools, spreading a culture of safety, harmony, and civic responsibility throughout the community. This initiative is aligned with the nation’s broader vision of creating a society free from crime and conflict.

Institutionalizing Peace Education

In partnership with the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the Ministry of Education in Zambia introduced peace education into Lusaka’s public schools in 2025.

• Every district in Lusaka now has a designated HWPL Peace School.

• Approximately 200 teachers have completed professional training to incorporate peace education into both the curriculum and daily school life.

• The program equips students to practice peace values not only in their studies but also in their daily lives.

Youth at the Center: “Clean Up, Crime Down”

Alongside classroom education, youth are leading community-wide campaigns to translate peace into action. Working with local governments and volunteers, young people have organized clean-up drives, environmental initiatives, and public peace events.

One of the most notable efforts, the “Clean Up, Crime Down” project, began in March with a clean-up of Lumumba Street and expanded in June to the Kalingalinga Peace Zone. The campaign highlights how youth leadership can transform neighborhoods into safer, cleaner, and more peaceful environments.

DPCW Monuments: Symbols of Institutional Peace

These efforts resulted in the installation of Zambia’s first DPCW (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War) monument. Building on this milestone, a total of four DPCW monuments were unveiled in Lusaka in 2025, serving as visible symbols of institutionalizing peace.

Proposed by HWPL in 2016, the DPCW consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses that aim to prevent conflict and establish frameworks for sustainable peace.

National and Local Leadership

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized building a society free from discrimination, gender violence, teenage pregnancy, corruption, cybercrime, and bullying as a national priority. Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala also highlighted the importance of citizen participation in creating a clean and healthy city, pointing to the peace education initiative as a vital part of this vision.

A Model for Africa

Observers note that Lusaka’s integrated approach—combining education, youth leadership, and community action—offers a model for other African nations seeking sustainable peace. This experience will be shared with the global community at the upcoming 11th Anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit on September 18, 2025.

By uniting education and civic participation, Lusaka is proving that peace can be taught, practiced, and lived—one classroom and one community at a time.

Source: https://vo.la/wZM6quE