Value Education Coordinator’s Seminar 2019

The Archdiocesan Value Education Centre held its annual forum on the 7th of August, 2019. The theme for this forum was ‘Peace Education’

The eminent speaker at this gathering was Fr. Peter Gonsalves sdb who spoke on how we as educators can play a major role highlighting the importance of establishing an accord of peace with the students in school, the need for students in turn to collaborate and work with their friends to establish this highly important need of the hour. Fr. Peter clearly defined the term 'Peace' through the social scientist Johan Galtung's immense, thorough and ground breaking research which has helped many nations in the world and also the United Nations understanding of the word 'Peace'.

Fr. Peter also focused on the contributions of many Indian religious and political leaders like Mahavir, Gautama Buddha, the Advaita Vedanta philosophy of Adi Sankaracharya and their contributions in bringing about peace in the world through their teachings. He concluded the seminar with two short but highly enriching and enlightening videos, one which highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's contribution where peace is concerned not only in India but all over the world and another video titled 'A Class Divided' which highlights the importance and supercedence of 'Empathy' over 'Sympathy'.

The seminar was indeed contributive to my personal growth in understanding the value of peace in life and in the world and the small steps that could be taken in bringing about this not so utopic ideal.

A big thank you to the AVEC team for focusing an apt topic for the seminar this being the 150th year celebration of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr. Nigel D’Cruz

(AVEC Coordinator)