From Classrooms to Community: Teachers Shaping Peace Pedagogy

Teachers play a key role in helping young people develop the skills needed to understand diverse perspectives, think critically and collaborate. Supporting educators in strengthening these capacities contributes to more inclusive learning environments and stronger connections across communities. This is the goal of the Community of Practice established under the Dialogue for the Future 3 (DFF3) initiative, one of the initiatives supported by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Following a public call for primary school teachers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the InŠkola for Peace programme, implemented within this component by the Center for Educational Initiatives Step by Step, 47 teachers from more than 33 local communities were selected. Through the programme, they will receive mentorship, opportunities for professional networking, and a collaborative space to exchange knowledge, ideas and teaching approaches that encourage dialogue, inclusion and critical thinking in everyday classroom practice.

The programme began with an intensive three-day training held in Konjic (5–7 February 2026), where participating teachers worked together to develop practical lesson plans aligned with school curricula and based on the principles of inclusive and participatory learning. During the training, participants shared classroom experiences, reflected on challenges they encounter in teaching, and explored ways to integrate dialogue, critical thinking and inclusion into everyday learning. In this way, classrooms become spaces where understanding, cooperation and respect for different perspectives are strengthened — values that contribute to social cohesion and sustainable peace.

For participants, the gathering offered a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country and exchange experiences on teaching practices and classroom challenges.

As workshop participant Boris Petrović, a teacher and recipient of the Innovative Teacher Award, explains:

“This is truly a wonderful experience where we meet fellow professionals. It is our ‘peer moment’ — a space where we can freely express our views. Even when differences in opinion arise, our compass remains the same: the well-being of the child and bringing out the best in every individual.”

Through this initiative, teachers strengthen their professional skills while contributing to classrooms where dialogue, cooperation and respect for different perspectives become part of everyday learning.

As teacher Azra Vrević reflects:

“The value of human connection and face-to-face conversation cannot be measured. When you come to a place where you see real faces, you push your own boundaries and change your attitudes and ways of thinking.”

The training marked the beginning of a longer collaborative process running from February to September 2026. With mentoring support, participating teachers will develop at least nine lesson plans each, pilot them in their classrooms, and take part in peer review and reflection within the professional network.

Altogether, the initiative will produce 346 curriculum-aligned lesson plans, which will be digitized and made available through the InŠkola platform — a professional network and community of practice connecting educators across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Dialogue for the Future 3 (DFF3) initiative is jointly implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO, in partnership with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).