Our Reporter, Abuja
As the world marks the International Day of Non-Violence, the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) has called for urgent reforms in global education systems to promote peace, empathy, and social transformation.
In a statement issued Thursday to commemorate the day, the Director of UNESCO MGIEP, Obijiofor Aginam, reminded world leaders of the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and its application to modern challenges in education and human development.
The International Day of Non-Violence, held annually on October 2, coincides with Gandhi’s birthday and was established by a 2007 United Nations General Assembly resolution to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding across the globe.
Aginam warned that education systems worldwide are under immense strain due to the commodification of learning, dwindling budgets, widespread teacher shortages, and an overemphasis on grades and examinations. The rapid integration of digital tools and artificial intelligence, he noted, has further complicated the landscape, often prioritizing efficiency over compassion.
He stressed that education must move beyond knowledge acquisition to cultivate empathy, compassion, and community transformation. Drawing from Gandhi’s principle of Sarvodaya—meaning “upliftment of all”—Aginam said education should guarantee dignity and holistic well-being for every individual.
“This philosophy, which Gandhi envisioned as encompassing moral, political, social, and economic dimensions of growth, finds parallels in other cultural traditions, such as Ubuntu in African societies,” Aginam stated.
He urged governments to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, which commits countries to providing learners with the knowledge and skills needed to promote global citizenship, peace, and non-violence.
“As countries strive to achieve this goal, leaders must adapt their education systems towards the Gandhian legacy—the ‘upliftment of all’—through solidarity, mutual interdependence, and care for one another and the planet,” he emphasized.
The International Day of Non-Violence, Aginam concluded, should not only serve as a moment of reflection on Gandhi’s teachings but also as a call to action for governments, educators, and communities to foster education systems that can build a more peaceful and compassionate world.
