Armed Conflict in Colombia: A Review from the Impacts and Contributions of Education

Authors

  • Luz Adriana Aristizábal Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, Autonomous University of Bucaramanga, Av. 42 #48 - 11, Bucaramanga, Santander, PC 680006, Colombia
  • Adriana Inés Ávila Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, Autonomous University of Bucaramanga, Av. 42 #48 - 11, Bucaramanga, Santander, PC 680006, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.213.229

Keywords:

social science education, armed conflict, Colombia, teachers, peacebuilding

Abstract

Thesis. The armed conflict in Colombia has had a profound impact on education, affecting teachers, students, families, and communities. This review aims to examine the effects of the conflict on education and explore the contributions of education in promoting peace and social reconstruction.

Concept.  Key concepts addressed include human rights, peace-building through education, and the role of education in conflict transformation. Education, shaped by violence, has become both a tool for addressing human rights violations and a means of fostering peace and justice in conflict-affected regions. This qualitative study employs a documentary review approach, analysing 123 articles and theses published between 1996 and 2020. From these, 40 were selected based on their relevance to the research topic, providing a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of armed conflict and education in Colombia.

Results and Conclusion. The review reveals significant human rights violations against teachers in Colombia. Despite these challenges, various efforts have been made to promote peace through education, including community initiatives and policies aimed at transforming conflict into opportunities for justice and peace. Education is shown to not only respond to violence but also actively contribute to societal transformation.

Originality. This study offers an original contribution by examining the role of education in addressing the impacts of the armed conflict and promoting peace in Colombia, focusing on educators’ experiences and their contributions to societal reconstruction.

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Author Biographies

  • Luz Adriana Aristizábal, Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, Autonomous University of Bucaramanga, Av. 42 #48 - 11, Bucaramanga, Santander, PC 680006, Colombia

    Psychologist with a PhD in Person and Society in the Contemporary World (Spain), a Master's degree in Rural Development (Mexico), and a Specialist qualification in Epidemiology (Colombia). She completed postdoctoral research on the topic “Re-signification of Armed Conflict and Peacebuilding” in Colombia. With experience in university teaching and research since 2006, her work spans across the thematic areas of Mental Health, Social Sciences, and Education. Additionally, Dr Aristizábal is the Director of the Foundation named BONDINGS.

  • Adriana Inés Ávila, Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts, Autonomous University of Bucaramanga, Av. 42 #48 - 11, Bucaramanga, Santander, PC 680006, Colombia

    Teacher by vocation and training. She is a professor at the Autonomous University of Bucaramanga – Colombia, in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program. Adriana leads the Education and Language research group at the same university. Dr. Ávila Zárate holds a Doctorate in Education, along with specialized qualifications as a Master in Technology applied to Education and a Graduate in Preschool Education. Her professional expertise predominantly focuses on teacher training, alongside the conception and execution of educational and research initiatives centering on themes like citizenship, childhood studies, writing, scientific vocations, teaching methodologies, creativity, and didactics

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Published

2025-06-27

How to Cite

Aristizábal, L. A. ., & Ávila, A. I. (2025). Armed Conflict in Colombia: A Review from the Impacts and Contributions of Education. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(1), 213-229. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.213.229