About

Four initial Proof of Concept projects were conducted in Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, connecting African partner countries and forging collaboration with UK partners. Local project teams engaged with diverse groups in diverse contexts including those in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps, refugee settlements, faith-based groups, and communities as well as numerous education settings including Higher, Secondary, vocational and informal institutions. The knowledge gained from these initial projects informed later stages, leading to DEPA funding eleven additional projects in Algeria, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. 

The project teams utilised various arts and humanities research methodologies, such as storytelling, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), theatre, PhotoVoice, and indigenous art forms, collaboratively produced photographs, drawings, and images. A dance collaboration project is currently underway that uses data gathered from all of the projects and aims to unite all of the projects from across Africa. 

Aims of the Project 

Many African countries have long struggled with war and conflict, despite efforts for peace. Peace education, crucial for preventing and reducing conflict, has been limited in its impact. This is partly due to the Eurocentric and liberal values in its pedagogies and curricula. While there's a call to decolonize the broader African curriculum, it mostly remains a critique without implementation. 

DEPA aims to fill this gap by creating teaching materials based on local knowledge and values, especially regarding peace, to support those most affected by conflict.