The Cold War has been over for some time now, although relations between the former blocs are still not entirely tension-free. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 caused a surge of optimism to sweep across the world. Meanwhile, it has become clear that in the new global order, even though not yet completely chrystallized, the danger of large-scale conflicts is not over. International terrorism creates new challenges for global military and political cooperation. And there are countless regional conflicts that are difficult to contain. The international community attempts to meet the challenges, but sometimes formal means of exercising power are insufficient, or important countries differ in their views on the solution. As a result of shortages (of water, energy, food, agricultural land), new conflicts can again emerge.

Containing and if possible resolving regional conflicts, preferably by peaceful means, is of the utmost importance to the global community. But it is just as important to address the human consequences of current conflicts, such as the immense streams of refugees that can develop.

An important topic in global citizenship education is the problem of war and peace. Fortunately for most young people in the Netherlands, the cruelties and suffering of war and violence are beyond their experience. Nevertheless it is of crucial importance that they know about it, both in a historical perspective (for example, the history of the Second World War) as well as in today’s world. Without empathy for the victims, one threatens to become insensitive to far-off conflicts. Whoever does feel empathy will be more likely to realize the meaning of conflict control, of international political and military cooperation and of the contribution one’s country can make to containing conflicts. The basic attitude of resolving conflicts – whatever their scale and nature – as peacefully as possible, is obviously important.

Three aspects have been selected to illustrate the theme of peace and conflict:

• The deployment of peacekeeping troops and other efforts on the part of the international community to contain conflicts in the world. Window chosen: Blue Helmets in Srebrenica.
• The challenges to the global community posed by international terrorism and the different views on how to resolve this problem. Window chosen: the attack on the Twin Towers.
• The problem of the streams of refugees caused by conflicts, and the efforts of neighbouring countries and of the international community to help the refugees. Window chosen: Afghan refugees in Pakistan.