Peace Education through Mediation in Schools

Haiti’s prolonged humanitarian crisis has deeply affected children and adolescents, exposing them to violence in homes, schools, communities, and digital spaces. The absence of mediation and conflict-resolution practices within the education system has contributed to confrontational behaviors and the normalization of violence. In parallel, insecurity, displacement, and social fragmentation have weakened protective environments for children, increasing the risk of exploitation, school dropout, and recruitment into violent dynamics. There is an urgent need for preventive, child-centered interventions that promote dialogue, mediation, and peaceful coexistence as foundations for long-term social cohesion.

Overall Objective

To contribute to the construction of sustainable social peace in Haiti by empowering children and adolescents, in schools and community spaces, as active agents of dialogue, mediation, and peaceful conflict resolution.

Emergency-Recovery Actions

- Deployment of mobile peace education and mediation activities in schools and secure community spaces.
- Training of children and adolescents as peer mediators in dialogue and non-violent conflict resolution.
- Psychosocial skill-building focused on communication, empathy, cooperation, and negotiation.
- Awareness-raising activities on children’s rights and child protection.
- Referral and coordination with education and protection actors for children at heightened risk.

Target Groups

- In-school children and adolescents (primary and secondary levels).
- Out-of-school children living in surrounding communities.
- Teachers, school administrators, and educational staff.
- Parents and community actors linked to schools and youth spaces.

Direct Beneficiaries

Children and adolescents, both in-school and out-of-school, teachers, and educational actors in violence-affected areas across four departments: West, Artibonite, South, and North.

Cross-Cutting Inclusion

- Child rights–based and child protection–centered approach.
- Gender equality and balanced participation of girls and boys.
- Inclusion of children from vulnerable and marginalized backgrounds.
- Application of the Do No Harm principle in all interventions.

Expected Results

- Children and adolescents demonstrate improved capacities to manage conflicts peacefully.
- Reduced incidents of violence in school and community environments.
- Strengthened social cohesion between in-school and out-of-school children.
- Schools and communities report a safer and more peaceful climate.

Viability and Sustainability

Sustainability is ensured through the peer-led mediation model, continuous mentoring by educators, and the progressive integration of mediation as a school-based and community extracurricular activity. Documentation and capitalization of good practices support future scaling and institutional adoption.

Strategic Impact

EPAMS contributes to violence prevention, child protection, and social cohesion by embedding peace education and mediation at an early age. The project aligns with national frameworks and directly supports Sustainable Development Goals 1, 3, 4, 10, 16, and 17, reinforcing the humanitarian–development–peace nexus.

A Call for Collective Action

Supporting EPAMS means investing in a preventive, high-impact solution that addresses the root causes of violence while strengthening children’s resilience and leadership. Partners are invited to support training, deployment, and scaling of this model, contributing to a generation of children equipped to resolve conflicts peacefully and build a shared future of stability and cohesion.

Leading Change for Cohesive & Sustainable Futures

Southeast Asia has a diverse backdrop of ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds. While progress has been made, some tensions remain today, contributing to challenges such as marginalisation and instability in certain areas.

Most of the region’s population is under 30 years old, yet young people may not be actively involved in the decision-making processes. This disengagement may potentially lead to feelings of disconnection. While Southeast Asia’s rich cultural and religious diversity is a strength, it also presents some challenges. Misunderstandings and the lack of dialogue between different communities can lead to mistrust and conflict. Furthermore, the region faces environmental and economic challenges, from climate change to poverty, which may undermine social cohesion.

Given these challenges, there is an urgent need to empower young leaders as agents of peace and positive change. By equipping young leaders with the skills, resources, and platforms they need, the Champions for Peace programme aims to address the root causes of conflict, foster mutual understanding, and build a more peaceful and inclusive Southeast Asia.