James R. Mancham Peace and Diplomacy Research Institute |11 February 2025

Promoting peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution strategies in Seychelles schools

The James R. Mancham Peace and Diplomacy Research Institute (PDRI) at the University of Seychelles is

launching a project funded by Unesco, aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence and equipping students and educators with effective conflict resolution strategies.

This project, designed to support and enhance the ongoing efforts of school management and the Ministry of Education, aims to create a safer and more inclusive educational environment in Seychelles’ primary and secondary schools.

It will be piloted at the primary and secondary schools of Anse Royale and of Mont Fleuri on Mahé.

These schools were selected due to their proximity to the University of Seychelles campuses, enabling stronger collaboration and engagement between the schools and the national university.

Through targeted interventions, the project will empower teachers and students with practical skills to manage conflicts constructively and promote a culture of mutual respect and cooperation.

The project has three key objectives:

1. To develop a user-friendly Conflict Resolution Handbook tailored to the Seychelles context,

providing age-appropriate strategies for addressing conflicts in schools;

2. To facilitate a workshop designed to equip educators with effective conflict resolution techniques

to implement in classrooms;

3. To set up peace clubs that encourage dialogue, empathy and cooperative behaviour among students

and promote student-led peace initiatives.

The PDRI extends its gratitude to the school management teams who have welcomed them into their schools, positively responded to the request, and expressed eagerness to collaborate on this project.

By integrating conflict resolution strategies into school environments, the project aspires to instil a lasting culture of peace and understanding among Seychelles’ youth.

Contributed