India: With RiseUp4Peace, educators and students take charge to advance education on peace, integrity and lawfulness

New Delhi, India/31 July 2024: “As educators, our role is not merely to teach but to inspire our young to resist and counter social challenges. Our classroom interactions must guide our students in becoming active participants in building a just and peaceful society.”

This powerful sentiment, shared by a group of educators at UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace ca-pacity boosting workshop in Salem, Tamil Nadu, encapsulates the essence of why education on SDG16 is so vital. Equipping students with the knowledge and skills to understand and uphold the rule of law, peace and integrity remains an imperative to foster social stability and equity.

Through a series of impactful initiatives facilitated by the RiseUp4Peace program, educators and students across India are not just learning about these principles--they are actively embedding them into their schools and communities.

In Salem, over 120 educators from 25 public, private and rural schools in Salem discussed developed practical strategies to integrate these core values into the classroom, with meaningful dialogues and collaborative activities held in collaboration with the Sri Seshaas International Public School. Together, they reflected on themes such as cyber safety, anti-discrimination, anti-corruption, mental health, and gender equality. Academic expert and educator Mr. Ayyapparaj Mani commented, “Empowering students to actively participate in social issues and create innovative solutions is crucial for their development as responsible global citizens. This workshop has ignited their passion and provided them with the platform to make a real difference."

In Chhattisgarh, UNODC and the Raipur Police joined hands with an innovative collaboration between the RiseUp4Peace initiative and the anti-drugs Nijaat campaign led by the police. This pioneering partnership resulted in a series of targeted capacity-building and sensitisation interventions focused on peace, lawfulness and drug use prevention, bringing together over 2,000 educators, educational leaders, young people, community groups and law enforcement officials from Raipur.

“Education is a powerful tool in preventing crime. By equipping our youth with knowledge and values, we’re not only helping them make better choices but also creating a safer, more responsible community. Initiatives like RiseUp4Peace and Nijaat Campaign are crucial in guiding our students towards a positive path,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Santosh Singh, emphasizing the role of education in preventing drug use and crime.

Over 150 educators from public, private and government schools engaged in intensive discussions on the vulnerabilities young people face and good practices in advancing SDG16 education at a capacity boosting workshop, held in collaboration with the NH Goel World School. Educators exchanged insights on incorporating crucial themes—peace, gender equality and integrity--in classroom lesson plans.

“The workshop was instrumental in helping me understand how we can address students’ vulnerabilities and risky behaviors more effectively,” an educator said, highlighting the need for sustained capacity building in this direction as envisaged in India’s National Education Policy 2020.“Interacting with educators has provided me with valuable insights into the psychological and emotional challenges students face, which may lead to problematic behaviours,” a senior police official added.

Under the umbrella of Nijaat-RiseUp4Peace campaign, over 1500 students, educators, and community members, including young people with hearing disabilities, called for collective efforts against drugs and crime at a public program, where state lawmakers--Members of Legislative Assembly Mr. Purandar Mishra and Mr. Anuj Sharma--shared their insights and engaged young people to resist negative influences.

In Kochi, Kerala, educators from 21 schools gathered at the GEMS Modern Academy to brainstorm and develop practical strategies for addressing contemporary challenges such as mental health issues and cyber threats. The introduction of new initiatives like a buddy program for mental health support and student councils for gender inclusivity highlighted the innovative approaches being adopted. “This workshop was a revelation,” shared an educator.

In discussions with UNODC’s Mr. Samarth Pathak, NCERT’s Dr. Satya Bhushan and veteran educationalist Dr. Ashok Pandey, educators were introduced to UNODC’s educational tools such as the YEA Framework and activity handbooks as well as linkages with India’s National Education Policy 2020. Special messages by Indian Actor Suniel Shetty and Badminton Icon Saina Nehwal on empowering young people further reinforced the importance of collective action for RiseUp4Peace.

The initiative’s impact reverberated through the student community: with over 350 students from different schools in Kochi, Salem and Raipur enthusiastically engaging in peer dialogues and activities on SDG16, transforming their newfound knowledge into actionable projects. Working in groups, they ideated innovative initiatives such as a cyber awareness app, a web portal for documenting SDG16 activities, a peer-led network to tackle discrimination, and school drop boxes for anonymous grievances.

Given a safe space to talk, ideate and discuss, students also shared unique perspectives and real-life experiences—on bullying, online harassment, gender discrimination, and integrity. Their enthusiasm was evident as some of them proposed projects such as a mental health awareness app and an anti-bullying council, demonstrating a spirit of teamwork and confidence.

“This was really enjoyable and we really felt like our voices mattered,” a student remarked. Another noted, “We need more truly participatory and interactive sessions where we are heard and appreciated, rather than impersonal lectures where we are just an audience to clap and cheer.”

With the RiseUp4Peace initiative, UNODC’s emphasis is on ensuring a real hands-on approach that puts young minds and educators at the center. 

In July, RiseUp4Peace held nine interactive sessions that reached over 3,200 educators and young people. These sessions sparked vibrant discussions on SDG 16, emphasizing innovative classroom strategies to tackle critical issues such as peace, the rule of law, and integrity.

The initiative, led by UNODC in partnership with Kamla Nehru Public School (KNPS) Phagwara and a network of educators across India and beyond, focuses on equipping both students and teachers to build a culture of peace, uphold the rule of law, and embrace integrity. With the unwavering support of dedicated educators, the initiative has grown into a vibrant coalition of 'Partners4Peace,' a dynamic network committed to advancing a just and inclusive society—central to SDG16.

The activity contributed to SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/