This podcast explores how creating curriculums using global partnerships can foster peacebuilding in conflict-affected contexts, such as Somaliland. Based on Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and 17 (partnerships for the goals), Dr. Tejendra Pherali’s north-south partnership between the UCL Institute of Education and Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies in Hargeisa University in Somaliland, demonstrates a holistic approach for using the SDG’s in education and peacebuilding. We contrast this with preceding Global Agendas for education, including the Education for All movement and Millennium Development Goal 2, considering how conflicting ideas of education as a human right and education as an investment for economic growth (Human Capital Theory), have affected peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected countries.
We also uncover the potential dangers of asymmetric power dynamics in north-south partnerships, and how the politicisation of the curricula by northern donors can overemphasise stability in the region, rather than tackling root causes of conflict. Therefore, interdisciplinary education in both the global north and south is suggested as a solution to decentre knowledge production, challenge western-centric epistemologies, and increase the representation of indigenous epistemologies for more effective global partnerships and peacebuilding.
Music Credits:
Bio Unit – Ice Flow: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Bio_Unit/aerostat/ice-flow Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
ReamProductions – Gun Battle Sound: https://soundbible.com/2078-Gun-Battle-Sound.html Creative Commons (Attribution 3.0)
RJStefanski – Islamic Call to Prayer: https://freesound.org/people/RJStefanski/sounds/255231/ Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Yuzzy – Debunking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNSs7t36bpM Creative Commons Attribution licence