Sierra Leone Participates in UNESCO Training on Addressing Violent Pasts in Poland

Sierra Leone was represented at the UNESCO International Policy Training on Addressing Violent Pasts through Education in Poland, where the delegation focused on leveraging education to foster national unity and prevent future conflict.

During the training, Sierra Leone emphasized three main strategies: engaging the public through museums, cultural events, and the arts to connect citizens with the nation’s history; reforming the civic education curriculum to incorporate peace education and lessons from both Sierra Leone’s civil conflict and the Holocaust; and strengthening teacher capacity through institutions such as the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), NaCEED, ICPNC, and the Monuments and Relics Commission.

UNESCO provided participants with guidance and training on building resilience against violent extremism, promoting critical thinking, human rights, and inclusive education.

The session also highlighted the forthcoming UNESCO Policy Guide on Addressing Violent Pasts through Education, a tool designed to help countries turn historical memory into meaningful action for peace, civic responsibility, and democracy.