Challenges for Peacebuilding and Citizenship Learning in Colombia

Abstract

Some education practices can impede learning democratic citizenship agency by reinforcing injustices or omitting dis­senting perspectives. Other practices may help address con­flict issues through problem-posing inquiry activities. This literature review explores the ways social sciences’ curriculum practices can select knowledges that enhance peace or exa­cerbates violence. Considering peace and conflict theories, I highlight the limitations and possibilities for peacebuilding of Colombia’s citizenship and social sciences’ curricula. Also, I discuss the ways certain social studies curriculum decisions (selections and omissions) may reproduce violence, injustice and passivity. Finally, I discuss how certain practices may de­velop critical citizenship capacities to handle conflicts.

Keywords

• social studies
• history education
• peacebuilding
• citizenship education
• colombia