Global Issues in Language Education: Issue 25. Dec. 1996. (p. 16 - 17)
Participants at JALT96 had a unique opportunity to learn about
UNESCO's Linguapax project through a variety of conference sessions.
On Nov. 1, an open forum was held at the Hiroshima YMCA with
the theme, Peace through Education - An International Perspective. The
concept of "peace education" was first introduced by Prof. Reinhold
Freudenstein from Germany. Mr. Denis Cunningham then explained how schools
in Australia use a variety of resources to introduce the different cultures
in each community through the teaching of foreign languages and social
sciences. Prof. Albert Raasch from Germany next looked at the etymology of
the word "peace" in German (frieden) and Latin (pax) in order to better
understand the aims of peace education. Following this, Prof. Mitsuo
Okamoto from Hiroshima offered a Japanese perspective through the results
of a survey he conducted on peace-related university courses in Japan. The
final speaker, Dr. Felix Marti, director of the UNESCO Centre of Catalonia
in Barcelona and president of the International Linguapax Committee,
rounded off the panel with a talk on the UNESCO perspective on peace and
peace education.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Marti elaborated further on the UNESCO
perspective, on Linguapax, on language and peace, and their relationship.
All languages have their place in the world heritage and none is better or
worse than any other. If a language is lost, as many have been, then we are
all the poorer. While one language, English, seems to dominate as an
international language, weaker languages need to be protected. What is
needed is a linguistic pedagogy that simultaneously reaffirms the dignity
of all languages and the benefits of a multilingual and multicultural
education.
Each day of the conference featured a Linguapax workshop and other
Linguapax-related sessions. In these, the members of the Linguapax
delegation stressed the importance of teaching about peace in our society
today. Prof. Raasch explained that Linguapax, formed in 1987 in Kiev,
Ukraine, is an open community of people interested in peace. It is not
something you pay money to join. Rather, you become a member by teaching
about peace in your classes throughout the academic year. The project is
interested in practical experiences in the classroom, in teacher training
and in textbook development.
Dr. Marti described how a number of Linguapax classroom activities
were developed and tested in Barcelona with the help of expert teachers and
the sponsorship of UNESCO. The materials are now available for others to
use and modify for their own situations. Marti stressed that these were not
lesson plans but rather activities which can be used in a variety of
classes, not only in language classes.
The workshops were "user-friendly". The Linguapax delegation was
interested in getting information and feedback from the attendees. No
question was too trivial for them to answer. The point was made several
times that even though grammar must be taught, it can be taught through
peace issues. They are not necessarily separate topics. A number of
participants who have been teaching about peace issues in their language
classes also shared their experiences with the group.
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men
that the defenses of peace must be constructed". This statement from the
UNESCO constitution lays the foundation for the Linguapax project, a
program that can play a vital role in building a future of peace and
international understanding by making students aware of the world around
them and their place in it. A "Linguapax Asia Network" is now being set up
to develop materials and give support to those interested in teaching about
peace and peace-related issues. Anyone interested in joining should contact
Kip Cates.
Newsletter #25
Global Issues SIG Newsletter Index
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