Standing in the Gaps: Peacebuilding through education in an Arab Christian community in Galilee, Israel

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of a national minority in establishing education as a strategy for rebuilding society and ameliorating the effects of long-running violent conflict. I explore the concept of a culture of peace, and examine elements and purposes of peace education and approaches to developing pedagogies for peace. I identify some challenges for peace education in divided societies and consider education as a strategy for peacebuilding. I examine current concepts and theories of peacebuilding and establish the importance of culture and context in developing peacebuilding initiatives. I discuss evaluation of peacebuilding, and the gaps in planning and implementation that may impact on effecting sustainable social change. By considering the historical, socio-political and cultural context of Arab Christians in Israel I highlight the ambiguities and challenges of a national minority in establishing a vision and culture of peace. I explore the role of politics in the Israeli national education agenda, the intersection of military and education agendas, and critically analyse pedagogy and curriculum content. An ethnographic case study of the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, and Arab complex of schools in Galilee, provides insights into a range of challenges presented by Israel's segregated schools system. I identify successes and challenges as this institution attempts to educate for a culture of peace and bridge the gaps created by societal divisions. I examine some comparative examples of peacebuilding initiatives in Israeli universities and NGOs and the influence of funding bodies on the research and project agendas. I posit that MEEI's responsive and conciliatory approach to conflict reframes education for peace in the Israeli context. This thesis concludes that MEEI's newly established university has a unique opportunity to implement systemic and contextualised education for peace within the continuum of formal and community education which may, over time, make a substantive contribution to Peace Writ Large.