The Role Of Higher Education And A Culture Of Peace

Chapter Five

5. Higher Education and a Culture of Peace

5.1. Introduction

Higher education has gigantic roles for the realization of peace and development of a society. However, this chapter of the study mainly focuses on the definition and concepts of higher education and its roles for building a culture of peace. It also attempts to scrutinize the institutional autonomy and academic freedom of higher education in relation to the building of a culture of peace. In addition, the contributions of quality and relevant of higher education for building this culture have been also envisaged in this chapter. Subsequently, the challenges and opportunities of this level of education for the building of a culture of peace have been identified and

These objectives of education in Ethiopia pointed out the critical roles of education for building a culture of peace in the society.

Moreover, higher education has given ample proof of its viability and ability to change and to induce change and progress in society (WCHE, 1998). Higher education is focusing to equip students for success in their personal life as well as in their contribution to the community. Accordingly, the proclamations of higher education number 351/2003 and 650/2009 (FDRE, 2003 and FDRE, 2009) stated that the objectives of Higher Education in Ethiopia, related to the development of a culture of peace, among other objectives are to:-

• Provide higher education and social services that are compatible with the needs and development of the country;

• Ensure the participation of all those concerned bodies in administration decision-making create and promote participatory culture;

• Make efforts to develop and disseminate the culture of respect, tolerance and living together among the people.

• Promote and uphold justice, fairness, and rule of law in institutional life;

• Promote democratic culture and uphold multicultural community life;

• It should lead society in generating global knowledge to address global challenges, inter alia food security, climate change, water management, intercultural dialogue, renewable energy and public health.

• Higher education institutions, through their core functions (research, teaching and service to the community) carry out in the context of institutional autonomy and academic freedom should increase their interdisciplinary focus and promote critical thinking and active citizenship. This would contribute to sustainable development, peace, wellbeing and the realization of human rights, including gender equity.

• Higher education must not only give solid skills for the present and future world, but must also contribute to the education of ethical citizens committed to the construction of peace, the defense of human rights and the values of democracy.

• There is a need for greater information, openness and transparency regarding the different missions and performance of individual