Educating for a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Future

Saturday, September 21 was the UN International Day of Peace. Her Campus Connecticut College writer, Avery Thomas had the pleasure of attending a humane education conference called “Educating for a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable Future” with Connecticut College’s Forest Justice Club. She recounts the most exciting moments and lessons of the conference for us, including meeting her idol Jane Goodall. 

Through our years and years education, we learn basic math, history, English, etc. But what about ethics? What about how to treat other human beings, or animals, the environment in which we live? When did we ever learn about social issues or have the tools to feel like we could fix them? At least in my education, it never happened. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people in math class say “but when are ever going to use this?” (Sorry math majors). But honestly, I would have loved learning about how to be a decent human being rather than when to apply the quadratic formula. Zoe Weil, founder of the Institute for Humane Education, addressed this issue in her keynote speach. She proposed that instead of debate teams, what if we had solutionary teams? The idea is that instead of debating with one another, groups of students would get together and create ways to solve legitimate problems in the world. That way kids would grow up with the tools needed to make the world a better place rather learning to create a better argument. Weil has an extremely interesting and informational TedX Talk if you want to hear more from her.

My favorite part of the conference was, of course, Jane Goodall. I’m not ashamed to admit I cried when she walked onstage. She has worked tirelessly for decades to advocate the fair treatment of people, animals, and the environment. To see how hard she has worked and all she has done in the world inspires me to do the same. She relayed the story of a man who saved a chimpanzee from drowning, even though he was risking his own life. When asked why he did that, he said there was a look in the chimp’s eyes that said, “Won’t anyone help me?” When we see that look, who are we to turn our backs?

After a day of learning about many others who are devoting their time to great causes, the last keynote speaker at the conference was Arjun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson. He told us a story that his grandfather told him. The basic message of the story was this: peace is like a grain of wheat. If you put it away in a box, it will rot and be of no use. If you plant the seed, it will grow and spread into a field of wheat. If you find peace, spread it to others.

I’m sure we’ve all heard people say there’s no point in trying to change the world because nothing is going to get better. If we have that attitude, of course we won’t change anything because we won’t even try. I met a room full of people who have made a difference to one, a hundred, thousands of people. The only way you will make a positive difference is to have the motivation to do so. Find something you care about, work toward that cause, and things will change.

• conference
• environment
• Jane Goodall
• justice
• peace
• UN