"Averting
war is the work of politicians; establishing
peace is the work of
education.”
During the 1930s, as war clouds gathered over Europe, Maria Montessori became profoundly concerned with the question of peace. The problem of war caused her to engage in a passionate search for new
human truths. Taking as her starting point her conviction that the child must be our teacher, she moved on to consider the problems of human and
social development and began a crusade in the name of education. This collection of speeches, which she delivered at international congresses and peace councils, vividly reveals why she was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.
~Maria Montessori
"The Science of Peace, were it to become a special discipline, would be the most noble of all, for the very life of humanity depends on it. So, also perhaps, does the question of whether our entire civilization evolves or disappears."
Montessori was convinced that peace, as a state of being, not just absence of hostility and war, is based on the peaceful development and unfoldment of children''s innate potential. Individuals who have fulfilled their potential are self-actualized contributors to life, who have found their purpose in life, have self respect and consequent respect and appreciation of others contributions. They are peaceble. They appreciate and collaborate not only with their fellow humans but with all living creatures and the planet on which we live.
Published: August 31, 2007
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