Exploring the Relevance of Peace Education in the Light of Saint James

Abstract

We pass from a time of insurgency in Nigeria's history, which calls on humanity's sincerity, inspiration, and consideration to solve our conflicts and problems. Peacebuilding, conflict resolution, conflict prevention, whichever term one uses, sits uneasily within one particular field, discipline, or government department, for that matter. Our current dilemmas are related to the culture of violence, conflicts, and war, becoming a global human phenomenon permeating all aspects of life. Modern nations in the world, who once faced these problems, used several techniques and approaches to solve these conflicts and problems. Nigeria and Africa, by extension, is a developing nation and continent, which is facing different challenges ranging from political tensions to religious and tribal violent conflicts. Conflicts can either be violent or non-violent. In violent conflict, parties involved directly feel the effects because it inflicts physical harm on them. Lack of peace is a global phenomenon. This phenomenon presents itself in various colours and patterns. There are therefore many theories propounded in describing the natural causes of it. In his characteristic manner of proffering solutions to all forms of crisis, Saint James contended in the third chapter of the epistle that demonic or worldly wisdom is the primary reason for conflicts among people, not counting their social or religious affiliations. On the other hand, peace education is seen as the way to educate future generations. Therefore, this paper examines and presents the concepts of peace education secularly and Saint James’ concept of conflict resolution.