Peace education in management: soft skills development for efficient administration
The article studies the topical aspects of developing managers’ peacekeeping skills in the context of up-to-date social challenges. The research was carried out within the framework of the European Union Erasmus+ project “Peace Education for a Consolidated and Human-Centered Europe” (Grant Agreement No. 101094420 – PeaECH). Based on the international experience of European countries that have gone through conflicts, the authors have created training modules on peace education, which shaped the fundamentals for developing a model of practical training for managers. The purpose of implementing a practice-oriented model of managerial training is to form a fully developed personality capable of critical thinking, constructive dialogue and active participation in peacekeeping processes via the integration of intercultural knowledge, skills and values, tolerance and mutual understanding. The authors emphasize the relevance of developing soft skills in managers, which will allow them both to perform managerial functions efficiently and to be socially responsible, show empathy, resolve conflicts and promote social development in the context of intercultural diversity, contributing to the establishment of peace and harmony in society.
The article presents a practice-oriented model of managerial training, which includes a five-stage process of peacekeeping training: formation of small groups, theoretical training, collective discussion, internships and development of own projects. Each stage of the managerial practice-oriented model training involves the development of critical thinking and analytical skills, emotional intelligence, empathetic leadership, communication skills, etc. To adapt educational programs to real-world conditions, the authors propose a system for assessing the complexity of teams based on eight key parameters: educational level, circumstances of hostilities, status of displaced persons, ethnicity, financial status, gender characteristics, marital status, and age range.
The authors emphasize that the information support of the practice-oriented model of managerial training should be based on modern information and communication technologies that open up new opportunities for interactive learning, development of non-violent communication skills, and preparation of higher education students to work in complex social interactions. Case studies, role-playing games, mediation programs, virtual simulations, online courses, interactive tests, experience-sharing platforms and other technological solutions are innovative tools for developing managers’ peacekeeping skills.
The introduction of a practice-oriented model of managerial training will contribute to the implementation of the best peacekeeping strategies and practices in the business environment, the shaping of peaceful values and support for the idea of peace as a basis for sustainable development.
Keywords: peace education, management, practice-oriented training, empathy, conflictology, mediation.
