India: With RiseUp4Peace, Madhya Pradesh educators commit to bridge divides, promote lawfulness and inclusion through education 

Madhya Pradesh, India/19 October 2024: In a world fraught with divides—social, economic, and digital—the call for education to serve as a unifying force has never been more urgent. Education must reach the grassroots, where the need for peace, the rule of law and inclusion is most profound. Echoing this sentiment, educators from Madhya Pradesh in central India extended support to UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace initiative, highlighting the importance of purpose and connection among teachers dedicated to nurturing resilient, empathetic students.

In Ujjain, Principals and educators from 45 public schools participated in a hands-on workshop hosted by the Ratlam Public School—a RiseUp4Peace partner—at the Government Excellence Higher Secondary School. The emphasis was clear: educators must equip themselves with practical strategies to foster peace, lawfulness, and inclusion in their classrooms.

“Such practical discussions reconnected us with our core purpose as educators that goes beyond just academics,” shared an educator. “We’re here to build strong individuals who can lead with empathy and integrity, as envisioned in NEP 2020.”

In discussions with Dr. Satya Bhushan, Associate Professor at NCERT and Mr. Samarth Pathak, UNODC’s Communications Officer for South Asia, educators shared myriad challenges they observe among their students—mental health struggles, cyber threats, and risky behaviors—and educational responses in line with the goals of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

In Ratlam, over 80 educators from 20 schools come together at the Ratlam Public School to brainstorm ways to foster socio-emotional resilience among their students. “It’s our role to guide students with empathy-based learning in classrooms. All we need to do is to listen,” emphasized an educator, underlining the importance of continuous engagement.

“Students need the human touch in school to learn key values,” educators said, calling for in-person activity-based methods to develop a sense of meaning and empathy among students. This shift in perspective is crucial in bridging divides and ensuring that no child is left behind.

Through collaborative group work, they developed actionable plans addressing issues such as digital overexposure and negative influences on students. The impact was amplified by a multi-stakeholder meeting, bringing together parents, local influencers, and educators to confront real-life challenges related to cyberbullying and violence.

“Partnering with UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace allows educators to create a ripple effect,” shared Dr. Sanyogita Singh, Director of Ratlam Public School. “Together, we can instill social responsibility, empathy, and integrity in young minds.”

In the Shivgarh village of Sailana, educators from the Shasakiya Madhyamik Vidyalaya Ghodapalla engaged in dynamic discussions around the future young people envision for themselves. Conducted in Hindi, this open dialogue specifically targeted students from vulnerable tribal backgrounds, drawing out their aspirations and concerns. The session ended with students singing a song of hope—a testament to the belief that every classroom can become a center of peace, lawfulness, inclusion, and integrity.

The ripple effects of these workshops extend far beyond the participating educators. In total, over 200 educators and 800 students engaged in school-wide activities related to SDG16 themes, with around 80 select students trained to replicate these efforts in peer-to-peer learning initiatives. “We propose creative solutions like a mental health support group and an app to promote awareness of laws and rights,” shared a student, reflecting the proactive spirit ignited by these workshops.

As the RiseUp4Peace initiative unfolds, it is evident that bridging divides through education is not merely an ideal—it is a movement fueled by the passion of dedicated educators. 

Join the RiseUp4Peace initiative:  t.ly/lh9T7

This activity contributes to SDG 4, SDG5, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by RB23)