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On June 4, the seminar “Ideas for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation in Educational Spaces” was held at the Bicentenario building in Santiago. The event was co-organised by UNESCO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and Chile's Superintendency of Education, with the support of the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue from Norway and the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) in Chile.

The seminar was guided by international instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and national frameworks like Chile’s General Education Law and National Policy on School Coexistence. These emphasise the importance of social and emotional factors in the quality of education, which have become particularly crucial in the post-pandemic context, as interpersonal relationships and the socio-emotional wellbeing of educational communities have been affected.

This hybrid event saw 250 participants attend in person, with more than 1,000 joining virtually. The session featured presentations from Alfredo Zamudio, Director of the Nansen Center Mission in Chile, and Paula Klenner, National Education Officer for UNESCO's Regional Office.

The seminar also highlighted three standout experiences from educational institutions that have promoted peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and student participation through student-led mediation processes. These were presented by Javiera Carrera School in the Coquimbo region, Libertador San Martín School in the Metropolitan region, and República de Italia High School in the Ñuble region.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Rosita Palma, a specialist in conflict management in schools; Francisco Gárate, Coordinator of Education and Culture at OEI Chile; and Mónica Contreras, a psychopedagogue and coordinator of the Mediation Unit at the Superintendency of Education.

“Promoting empathy and understanding is key to addressing conflicts. We need to encourage students to put themselves in the shoes of those around them and understand their perspectives and needs. This means fostering active listening skills and avoiding stereotypes and prejudice,” said Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In her presentation, Paula Klenner, UNESCO’s National Education Officer, stressed that, in the face of the multiple challenges impacting the education sector—including climate change and violence—it is essential to prioritise competencies that empower communities to make decisions relevant to their own contexts, adapt their pedagogical strategies, and respond not only to emergencies but also to development challenges and peacebuilding efforts. “It is no coincidence that schools continue to be a priority for families; this is because, in difficult times, schools offer a sense of continuity, hope, and a future,” she emphasised.

Marggie Muñoz, Head of the Division for the Protection of Educational Rights at the Superintendency of Education, added, “This seminar is an invitation to all educational communities to reconsider the dynamics of coexistence that occur daily in kindergartens, schools, high schools, and adult education. For these to thrive, it is essential that all members of educational communities share a space where they can express themselves freely, relate to each other with respect, and not fear voicing their opinions or being different.”