A construção da cultura de paz na educação básica de uma escola brasileira: um processo colaborativo na comunidade escolar

Abstract

In a society marked by violence, educating students to build a culture of peace is a daily challenge for elementary and secondary schools. This article aims to analyze the process of building a culture of peace in Brazilian elementary and secondary education at a school that adopts Franciscan philosophy and pedagogy. The methodological approach used is qualitative, specifically a case study in an educational community, involving three teachers, four administrative and technical staff members, four families, and four students. The research was conducted between August 2025 and March 2026. Data collection techniques included a questionnaire administered via Google Forms and institutional documents such as the sponsoring organization’s Educational Framework. Franciscan hermeneutics was used to analyze data. The study’s results confirm that it is possible to teach and learn how to build a culture of peace, since, according to the educational community, reflection on the topic and the concrete actions undertaken by the school enable positive changes in human relationships, as well as changes in attitudes toward society and the world in which they live. The research participants report feeling more empowered to make decisions when faced with conflicts, whether within their families, at school, or in the social groups they belong to. The challenges posed by the wars and international conflicts engulfing the world cause insecurity and fear of the future. However, they understand that conflicts and wars begin within the human heart; therefore, reflecting on how to build a culture of peace and taking action, even if only on a case-by-case basis, helps make the world a more peaceful place.