Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Unite or Divide? The Challenges of Teaching History in Societies Emerging from Violent Conflict

Start: Monday, November 21, 2005 at 9:00am / End: Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 11:00pm

Share This
Print the Page

In the aftermath of violent conflict, some countries suspend the teaching of their recent history in school. Textbooks used before the conflict may no longer be acceptable, and teachers and school administrators may fear that discussion of the controversial past will lead to the renewal of violent conflict.

This event will share lessons learned about teaching history at the secondary school level from USIP-funded grant projects around the world.

  • What challenges are involved in developing secondary school curricula that contribute to peace building?
  • What are the major changes in pedagogy that need to accompany revision of curricula?
  • How do “structural” issues relating to educational financing, language policy, national teaching standards, etc., affect social reconstruction?
  • What methods are most effective in assessing the impact of revised history education programs on secondary school students?

Speakers

  • Elizabeth Cole Assistant Director, TeachAsia Program Asia Society
  • Tony Gallagher Professor, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland
  • Charles Ingrao Professor, Purdue University
  • Karen Murphy Director of International Programs Facing History and Ourselves Moderator
  • Judy Barsalou, Vice President, Institute Grant Program, Moderator

Media Inquiries

Please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at 202.429.3832.

Archived Multimedia

To listen to audio or to view video, please click on the links provided below. You also can right click on the links and choose "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File." This will save the file to your computer and then allow you to play it in your media player directly. More Audio Help

Latest Publications

A Rising Philippines Faces a Crucial Year Ahead

A Rising Philippines Faces a Crucial Year Ahead

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

By: Haroro Ingram ;   Andrew Mines

By virtue of its geography alone, the Philippines is arguably Southeast Asia’s most strategically important country. Yet its actual influence has tended to lag its potential due to decades of socioeconomic struggle and internal instability, especially in its restive southern island of Mindanao. In recent years, however, the Philippines has rapidly emerged as one of the most consequential countries in the Indo-Pacific, driven in large part by President Ferdinand Marcos’ transformative policies on national security, defense and foreign relations.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

China's Vision for Global Security: Implications for Southeast Asia

China's Vision for Global Security: Implications for Southeast Asia

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

By: Thy Try

China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) marks a new phase in Beijing’s ongoing push to change the international security order. Through the GSI, China seeks to establish itself as a counterbalance to U.S. influence and to reshape security management in a number of strategically important regions. The GSI is still in the early stages of implementation, but it has already demonstrated the potential to disrupt the existing security framework in Southeast Asia. This may lead to increased polarization within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with some member states aligning with the GSI and others remaining cautious due to their stronger affiliations with the United States.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Amid a Changing Global Order, NATO Looks East

Amid a Changing Global Order, NATO Looks East

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

By: Mirna Galic

As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the Euro-Atlantic security alliance continues to deepen its engagement with Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, collectively known as the IP4. NATO has collaborated with these countries since the early 2000s, but Russia’s war against Ukraine, security challenges posed by China and renewed strategic competition have led to increased engagement. As the war in Ukraine grinds on and U.S.-China competition shows no sign of abating, the United States has much to gain from collaboration between its allies and partners in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.

Type: Question and Answer

Global Policy

Mental Health and Violent Conflict: A Vicious Cycle

Mental Health and Violent Conflict: A Vicious Cycle

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

By: Benjamin Oestericher ;   Manal Taha ;   Belquis Ahmadi

When we think about the damage wrought by war, we often think about the physical consequences such as injuries and destroyed infrastructure. However, the often-invisible mental scars left behind by war are no less important.

Type: Analysis

Human Rights

Mirna Galic on NATO’s Long-standing Engagement in the Indo-Pacific

Mirna Galic on NATO’s Long-standing Engagement in the Indo-Pacific

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

By: Mirna Galic

Contrary to China’s assertions, NATO has a long history of engagement with the Indo-Pacific. But the alliance’s deep partnerships in the region have taken on renewed importance in recent years amid Russia’s war on Ukraine and renewed strategic competition between the U.S. and China, says USIP’s Mirna Galic.

Type: Podcast

View All Publications