In this new video, María Catalina Ucros, Secretary of Education of the Department of Atlàntico, shares perspective on why the department is planning to implement the Peace Education Program at all high schools across the north Colombian state.
“This program is returning hope to educational communities. It is telling our entire society that there is hope, that there is a possibility of improving, that reconciling with yourself is the most suitable path to being happy; that ultimately, the objective of education, the objective of governments, is to support the self-realization of human beings,” she says. “I think that this program is fundamental to strengthening those life skills that we sometimes neglect. We think that peace is inside of us. So to be able to turn on the light to find that peace, I think that is the greatest contribution that as a Department—on behalf of our governor, on behalf of the Ministry of Education—we can instill in the students.”
So far, Ucros reports that 85 educational institutions in Atlantico have been involved in the program. The expansion builds on years of success that the Peace Education Program has had in schools and reconciliation centers in the state of Antioquia, further south in Colombia.
In addition, The UniHorizonte University Foundation of Bogotá conducted an independent study on the impact of the Peace Education Program at the school, finding that student awareness of inner resources such as hope, inner strength and contentment grew from 55% to 97%.
Featuring video excerpts of TPRF Founder Prem Rawat’s inspiring presentations, the Peace Education Program also includes facilitated reflection time, participant discussions, workbook activities, and reading materials—all designed to help people discover their own inner strength and personal peace. More than 175,000 people in over 70 countries have benefited.
“We’d like to thank the entire team behind this program, and how they put their heart and soul into each of the workshops they hold with our educational community,” says Ucros. “This is reaching our entire community, and I can assure you that we are leaving a seed of transformation in the lives of the children, parents, teachers and principals.”
Watch these short documentaries to learn more about the impact of the Peace Education Program in Colombia:
