We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recently members of the Exchange Leadership Initiative (ELI) met for conversation, provocation and mutual support. Following that meeting, one participant wrote this lovely reflection:

Keeping Hope, Keeping Peace by Veronika Vicqueneau, ELI member

As divisions deepen across the world, I find myself searching for answers and questioning humanity’s fate and my role in fostering hope, unity, and peace.

Witnessing children and families suffering from wars and political events, my optimism waned. I questioned how one could create meaningful change amid such challenges. Can hope still be nurtured? This soul-searching has drawn me back to Maria Montessori’s wisdom. Her belief that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a profound transformation of the human spirit reminds me that change begins with the smallest actions—nurturing understanding, compassion, and respect in ourselves and others.

Montessori’s Peace education developed during the World Wars. The challenges she faced led her to envision an education that emphasized children’s moral, emotional, and social growth as key to creating compassionate global citizens.

Montessori advocated for creating environments that foster collaboration, respect, and independence where children learned to resolve conflicts, embrace diversity, and contribute to the well-being of others.

Reflecting on her timeless call “Education for Peace,”I am reminded that, regardless of global circumstances, my responsibility as an educator is to persist in

• Creating environments where empathy, understanding, and respect are actively lived, not merely taught. These values empower children to appreciate the richness of diversity and navigate the complexities of human relationships.
• Encouraging collaboration and dialogue, teaching children to handle conflicts constructively, find common ground, and champion justice and equity.
• Empowering children to envision and build a harmonious world, recognizing their potential to influence humanity positively.

As an educator, I must nurture hope and sow seeds of kindness, using education to shape a more harmonious world- one thoughtful step at a time.