Educators Institute for Human Rights

During an engaging two-hour dialogue with educators from Matonge Technical and Professional High School in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, participants explored the use of the new peace education guidebook developed through a collaborative partnership between the Educators’ Institute for Human Rights (EIHR) and (Program of Action for Sustainable Development) PADS, using it as a starting point for a rich conversation about teaching difficult history in the Congolese context.

It was inspiring to spend time with educators whose passion for providing high-quality education for their students was evident in every topic we explored. Their thoughtful, probing questions challenged all of us to think more deeply about how Holocaust and mass atrocity education can be adapted to the DRC, how history can help prevent future atrocities, and what practical roles schools, communities, and government can play in peacebuilding. The discussion emphasized that while every nation's history is unique, studying common patterns of hatred, discrimination, and violence helps students recognize warning signs and become leaders for positive change. Participants also highlighted the importance of honoring local experiences, incorporating Congolese perspectives into educational materials, and ensuring that teachers, community leaders, and students all contribute to shaping peace education.

Although the conversation concluded after two hours, it could easily have continued much longer—a testament to the participants' deep commitment to learning, collaboration, and preparing the next generation to resist hatred, uphold human rights, and build stronger, more peaceful communities.