New master's degree for peace formation starts in Stadtschlaining!

New master's degree for peace formation starts in Stadtschlaining!

Stadtschlaining, Österreich - The private pedagogical university Burgenland has launched a new, pioneering master course in "Peace and Life and Life Skills Pedagogy", which was expanded due to the high demand from originally 25 to 30 study places. The course, which was developed in cooperation with the Austrian Peace Institute, is primarily aimed at teachers of all school types and social workers. It offers a unique opportunity for everyone who has completed a bachelor's degree and aims to promote competencies that enable the participants to construct peace and solve conflicts constructively. According to Klaus Novak from PPH Burgenland, the students are taught by renowned professors from all over the world as well as experts who work in peace and conflict management, such as On Friday, the course in the historic Friedensburg Schlaining was ceremoniously opened, in which State Councilor Leonhard Schneeemann also took part. This city has a long tradition in peace formation and was once the seat of the European Peace University. The new master course should not only convey academic knowledge, but also offer practical approaches to solve conflicts. "Peace is not only the absence of war, but the result of targeted education and social efforts," said Schneeman. Of the 30 students, many come from Austria and Hungary, and the great interest shows that society has developed a strong awareness of the importance of peace skills.

Ursula Gamauf-Eberhardt, program manager at the ACP, emphasized the relevance of the course in the face of global challenges and social upheavals that threaten peace. The course includes topics such as the causes of conflict, violence prevention and peace education and aims to strengthen the participants in their role as peace promoters. "The interest is great, which shows that the need is given," she added. In addition to the new course, existing programs such as the "Peace Week" and the "Holocaust History Project" will continue to be pursued to ensure comprehensive education in the field of peace education, such as orf Burgenland reported.

Another significant change is imminent with the appointment of Tobias Lang as the new head of the Austrian peace center. Lang, an experienced Middle East expert, plans to establish the ACP as an international hub for practical peace research. Under his leadership, the Austria Forum for Peace 2025, which will take place from June 30th to July 3, is to gain international relevance. Developments in Stadtschlaining show that education and commitment to peace are of crucial importance in order to tackle future conflicts in training.