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@article{200941,
        author = {James Heah Wheeder},
        title = {From War to Dialogue: Institutionalizing Peace Education in Liberian High Schools and Universities as a Conflict Prevention Strategy},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {12},
        pages = {3576-3585},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=200941},
        abstract = {Liberia's civil wars (1989-2003) (Bank, 2020) had a devastating impact on the country's political institutions, social trust and human capital, with lasting effects on national development (Liberia, 2009) While Liberia has enjoyed relative stability since 2003, post-conflict assessments highlight the vulnerability of youth, lack of civil culture and need for peacebuilding mechanisms (Program, 2019)
This research examines the institutionalisation of peace education in Liberian secondary schools and tertiary level institutions as a proactive strategy for sustainable peace. Using a survey method, (Commission, 2022) this study evaluates the presence of peace-related topics in the national curriculum and examines the impact of peace education on students' perceptions of healthy dialogue, tolerance and non-violent conflict management. Informed by four hypotheses, the study suggests that students who have formal education on peace show more favourable attitudes towards respectful discourse and reject violence. Students also strongly favour mandating peace education at secondary and tertiary levels.
This research suggests institutionalising peace education in Liberia’s education system backed with curriculum reform, teacher training and government policy support can lock peace achieved in 2003. In line with global education-for-peace initiatives (United Nations Educational, 2015) embedding skills for dialogue and conflict resolution in schools can promote social integration and political stability in Liberia.},
        keywords = {Peace Education; Conflict Prevention; Post-Conflict Liberia; Youth Radicalization; Educational Policy Reform Introduction},
        month = {May},
        }