KIIT-KISS Joins UNESCO to Promote Education for Peace

Partnership to empower students through SDG-focused learning and community projects

Two education-promoting organisations, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), offer professional courses in engineering, law, medicine and management at KIIT. KISS, on the other hand, is the largest school for tribal children in the world, which offers a  fully residential school free of cost for education, food, and health care for junior classes up to higher education. KIIT and KISS together constitute a pluralistic framework of inclusive learning promoting social development. They really substantiate a substantial commitment towards equity, empowerment and education-for-sustainable-development and are now among the major contributors towards India's progress against the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development is a specialised institution under UNESCO for research purposes. The institute focuses mainly on education for peace, sustainable development and global citizenship. Signing a collaboration agreement between KIIT-KISS and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development of UNESCO (MGIEP) in itself is a major step toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The signing ceremony was graced by Dr Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT & KISS, and by Prof. Obijiofor Aginam, the director of MGIEP, UNESCO's representative in India, in New Delhi during a special program.

Education towards sustainable development, global citizenship and cultural diversity are the orientation areas of this partnership in achieving SDG 4.7. During the round table discussion on "Education for Peace," Dr Samanta reiterated the role education plays in creating an inclusive society and fostering social development. Naturally, both institutions agreed on the point that education can indeed be the strongest weapon to make the world a better place, and they are willing to work together on that.

Under the agreement, MGIEP and KIIT-KISS will work together to create and offer credit-granting courses on media and information literacy and social and emotional learning (SEL). These courses will teach the students relevant life skills of empathy, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking, among others. The courses will actually help support the SDGs in education and equip the students to work in their communities, which will increasingly be sustainable and peaceful.

The proposed endeavour is not only about academic programming. It will also bring about community-based projects run by youth to tackle certain local and international issues within the area of Sustainable Development Goals and Peace. Through active participation of students in real-world problem-solving, that is, improving education for sustainable development, the projects will be conducted. MGIEP is the only Category 1 research institute in the Asia-Pacific area designated by UNESCO. It is on the front line of steering a reform of education towards the demands and requirements of the twenty-first century. This focus on inclusive education and education for peace is in full alignment with KIIT-KISS values that have historically espoused educating the underprivileged and tribal students.

This partnership also seeks to empower young people by leading, innovating and contributing to society. Workshops, mentoring and hands-on learning will encourage the student participants to become global citizens and change agents. The discussions in the event showed that education can be effective in promoting empathy, intercultural competency, and peaceful coexistence-all essential Sustainable Development Goals of the UN-which are, in fact, the needed prerequisites for ensuring long-term development and building inclusive societies.

All things considered, this partnership between MGIEP and KIIT-KISS is a sure indicator of a strong commitment towards UN SDG action in India. It mixes an argument of competence and creativity with the same value proposition to make all the difference in education worthwhile. Therefore, this is a good example that demonstrates how institutions can work toward making the future more peaceful, sustainable, and educated by highlighting possible partnerships with education through UNESCO.

Editor’s Note:

This recent partnership between UNESCO's Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and KIIT-KISS is a reflective and timely move towards promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4.7, which emphasises education for peace, global citizenship, and sustainable development. In my opinion, this collaboration is an indication of increasing recognition that learning should extend beyond books and tests. It should equip youth to think critically, behave humanely, and participate responsibly in the world around them. Through the credit-granting courses in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Media and Information Literacy, the project empowers students with the skills to know themselves and others, and to manage the issues of contemporary life. What is so significant about this partnership is its focus on youth-based community projects. Not only do they foster sustainable development by learning, but they also encourage the students themselves to become active members of society. In a world where there are social, environmental, and digital challenges, such participation is not only helpful,it is necessary. The participation of KIIT-KISS, which is renowned for its inclusive education policy, reinforces the program further. Their focus on touching the lives of students from underprivileged and tribal sections guarantees a broader sharing of its benefits for SDG and inclusive education in tangible terms. In addition, MGIEP's leadership in advocating Education for Sustainable Development and its status as UNESCO's Category 1 institute in the Asia-Pacific region bring international expertise to bear. This collaboration provides a good model of how UNESCO partnerships in education can effect positive change at local and global levels.

Skoobuzz highlights that this initiative is not just a formal agreement; it is a vision for the future. It shows how education, when thoughtfully designed and inclusively delivered, can become a powerful force for peace, empathy, and sustainability. I hope that more institutions will follow this path, helping to build a world where learning truly leads to lasting change.

FAQs

1. What are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals? 
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals created to make the world better by 2030. They focus on ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and well-being for all. These goals include areas like health, education, clean water, gender equality, and climate action.

2. How is UNESCO promoting SDGs in India? 
UNESCO is helping India reach the SDGs by supporting education, science, and culture. It works with schools, colleges, and communities to improve learning, promote peace, and protect heritage. UNESCO also helps create new teaching methods and supports projects that focus on skills, values, and sustainable living.

3. Why is education important for achieving SDG goals? 
Education helps people understand the world and make better choices. It teaches skills, builds confidence, and encourages respect for others. With good education, people can find jobs, care for the environment, and live healthier lives. Education also helps reduce inequality and supports all the other SDG goals.

4. What is the role of KIIT-KISS in promoting sustainable development? 

KIIT-KISS supports sustainable development by giving free education to children from poor and tribal communities. It teaches not only school subjects but also life skills, values, and social responsibility. The institutions also take part in projects that promote peace, equality, and environmental care, helping students become responsible citizens.

5. How does education for peace connect with the UN SDGs? 
Education for peace teaches kindness, respect, and understanding. It helps students solve problems without violence and work together for a better future. This connects with many SDGs, like reducing inequality, building strong communities, and promoting justice. Peaceful education helps create a fair and safe world for everyone.