The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Building a Culture of Peace: An Albanian Case

Abstract

This study explores the status of peace education and its correlation to student perceptions of peace in social science curricula in Albanian universities. The study finds that social science programmes in Albania offer varying coverage of peace education topics. Using quantitative surveys of 460 social science university students, the study finds evidence for a positive understanding of peace. Employing a Pearson’s correlation analysis, the study finds a lack of support for the hypothesis that the prevalence of peace topics in the curricula to which students are exposed significantly explains students’ perceptions of peace. The implications of the study are that Albanian curricula and students affirm a positive understanding of peace, yet more research is needed to understand what factors impact student perceptions of peace and how they may be leveraged to further peace education and overall peace dividends in Albania and beyond.

Keywords:

• peace
• peace education
• social sciences
• curricula design
• Albania

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Reina Zenelaj Shehi

REINA ZENELAJ SHEHI, PhD, is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science & International Relations at Epoka University and is a recipient of the Kellogg School of Management Dispute Resolution Research Center Scholar Award. Her research covers international mediation, foreign policy, conflict resolution, and peace studies.

Salih Ozcan

SALIH OZCAN, PhD, is Associate Professor and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Epoka University. His research interests include local government, voting behaviours, democracy and democratisation, comparative politics, public administration, and environmental politics. 

Timothy Hagen

TIMOTHY HAGEN, PhD, is a lecturer in the Economics Department of Epoka University and researches family and community studies, economic development, and education.