A three day National Workshop on ‘Education for Peace’ was organised by the Department of Peace and Reconciliation in Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru, on 13-15 November, 2025. Fr. Anthony Das SJ welcomed the participants and set the tone for the workshop by reflecting on the current state of peace within homes, society, the country, and the world. Dr. Denzil Fernandes SJ delivered the inaugural address outlining the historical evolution of Indian Social Institute and its commitment towards peace and harmony in the country. Later, he delivered a lecture on “Mission of Peace and Reconciliation”, where he highlighted the importance of peace and reconciliation at the global level and national level as well as the initiatives taken by the Church and the Jesuit Peace and Reconciliation Network.
The main resource person was Fr. Sunny Jacob SJ, a renowned Jesuit educationist and the Director of Upasana Renewal Centre, Jamshedpur, who gave eight sessions covering a wide range of topics on Peace Education and various activities that can be conducted for the promotion of a culture peace among students and in society. The sessions included the foundations of peace in the Catholic tradition, Catholic Social Teaching, inner peace, emotional intelligence, school audit policies, social justice initiatives, community service activities, advocacy, digital peace and restorative justice. He also explained practical ways of implementing peace education in school curriculum and activities. Fr. Joye James SJ gave a session on Child Rights and the legal framework that ensures the rights of a child in India. Fr. A. Cyril SJ, the Executive Director of Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, gave a session on the promotion of Planet and Human Fraternity in schools and provided new insights on moulding students into ambassadors of peace and harmony. The Workshop concluded with a Valedictory address delivered by Dr. Selvaraj Arulnathan SJ, who also distributed certificates to the participants. The workshop motivated participants to initiate peace education in their schools so that students become ambassadors of peace and social harmony.