The family as an agent of peace: its role in education for coexistence

Abstract

Within the framework of building inclusive and democratic educational environments, working with families is essential to consolidating a genuine culture of peace in society. This research presents a work proposal aimed at families, with the objective of strengthening their skills to educate through respect, dialogue, and the peaceful transformation of conflicts. This proposal is based on the principle that peace is built from daily practices, and that the family constitutes a privileged space for emotional and social learning. It is based on the idea —expressed in the Seville Statement on Violence (1986)— that people are beings of peace and that violence is a learned behavior; therefore, it is possible to replace violent models through learning and the implementation of practices oriented towards peace. To achieve this, a participatory methodology is proposed, based on workshops, dialogue circles, and shared reflection spaces with families and educational communities. In these spaces, topics such as non-violent communication and the constructive management of disagreements will be addressed. The plan also promotes the recognition and development of socio-emotional competencies —such as empathy, active listening, and cooperation— and proposes strategies to apply at home, including family agreements, coexistence routines, peace circles, cooperative games, and the use of positive emotional language, among others. Furthermore, the aim is to strengthen the alliance between school and family, understanding that a coherent education between both spaces is key to forming citizens committed to values such as justice, equity, and peace. By positioning families as protagonists and empowering them in their educational role, a transformation from the ground up is promoted, contributing to collective well-being and the development of responsible, respectful, and supportive citizenship.