Year 2025 | Vol XVI | Issue No. 1 (August – November 2025)
Introduction: Setting the Stage
Every child carries within them the seeds of empathy, resilience, and hope. The question is- how do we, as educators, parents, and communities, nurture these seeds so they grow into strong, compassionate citizens who can face the challenges of tomorrow?
This was the central theme of the May 2025 episode of the Navtika Podcast, produced under the banner of Early Learning Foundations: Innovation in Education, powered by Salwan Education Trust, India. The series has become a trusted platform for exploring issues that shape the foundation of education. Each episode acts as both a mirror and a map-reflecting the current realities of education, while also guiding us toward innovative solutions.
In this particular episode, the focus turned to a theme of urgent importance: building peaceful and resilient societies, beginning with the youngest learners. To guide this conversation, we were joined by a special guest – Mr. Samarth Pathak, Communications Officer and Regional Focal Point for Youth and Education at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for South Asia.
With his extensive experience in youth engagement, education, and advocacy within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Pathak was the ideal voice for this conversation. His initiatives, such as the Rise Up for Peace educational campaign and the globally recognized Lockdown Learners series, have touched the lives of countless students and educators across India and beyond.
But more than the titles and projects, what stood out in the episode was his conviction: that peace, inclusion, and resilience are not abstract concepts, but lived values that can and must be cultivated from the earliest years of a child’s life.
The Power of Early Years: Why Start Young?
At the very beginning of the conversation, Mr. Pathak made a point that set the tone for the entire episode: the earlier, the better.
Values like peace, empathy, and resilience, he explained, cannot be treated like traditional subjects tucked away in a timetable. They are not topics to be “taught” once and forgotten. Instead, they are life skills, emotions and behaviors that shape a person’s world view and influence how they interact with others for decades to come.
The stories he shared brought this truth alive. He recalled the case of a boy in class VII who became an anti-bullying champion in his school. When asked why, the boy said it went back to class 1, when he had been bullied himself. In that moment of vulnerability, another child stood beside him and simply said, “You are my friend.” That one act of kindness shaped his identity years later.
Such anecdotes underline the powerful ripple effects of early interactions. A simple gesture in childhood can define a teenager’s cause, or even guide their path as an adult. That is why educators and parents cannot wait until adolescence to “teach values.” By then, habits and worldviews have already begun to crystallize.
Educators as Role Models: Practicing What We Preach
One of the strongest messages in the podcast was directed at teachers. Children, Mr. Pathak reminded us, are keen observers. They notice not only what adults say, but also how they behave. If a teacher lectures about peace but loses their temper frequently, or talks about empathy while ignoring a child’s struggle, the contradiction is not lost on young minds.
Thus, the first step in teaching peace is to live it. Teachers must embody the very values they wish to instill.
Beyond personal example, educators today face the additional challenge of keeping pace with a rapidly changing world. Social media, artificial intelligence, and digital distractions are no longer external influences—they are embedded in the daily lives of children. If educators are unaware of these realities, they risk losing credibility and connection. “Only when we understand the world our children live in,” he emphasized, “can we guide them safely through it.”
The third strategy he highlighted was the use of micro-projects. These need not be grand campaigns. Instead, they can be small group activities within the classroom, designed to encourage reflection, collaboration, and moral decision-making. For example:
- A group project on kindness, where children share stories of helping others.
- A classroom discussion on fairness, sparked by a story or fable.
- A recycling activity that doubles as a lesson on responsibility.
Such micro-projects are memorable because they engage children actively, making values visible in practice rather than abstract in theory.
The Role of Parents and Communities: Extending the Circle
Education, cannot succeed in isolation. A recurring theme in the conversation was the importance of parents and communities in reinforcing what children learn at school.
Imagine this scenario: a school promotes digital detox, encouraging students to reduce screen time. But at home, parents are glued to their phones at the dinner table. What message does the child receive? The disconnect undermines the school’s effort.
Now imagine the opposite: the school encourages eco-friendly practices, and at home, the family starts carrying cloth bags instead of plastic. Here, the consistency between home and school sends a powerful message of integrity and collective respon- sibility.
Parents, then, are not passive spectators in a child’s learning journey-they are co-educators. Communities, too, play a vital role. Festivals, neighborhood practices, and social norms all influence children’s values. When communities rally around shared principles-like reducing pollution during Diwali or practicing inclusion in public spaces-they become living classrooms for children.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the conversation was the recognition that children themselves can be agents of change. In recent years, countless stories have emerged of children influencing their families-whether by insisting on no crackers, reducing waste, or advocating for kindness in their communities. When empowered, children can drive ripple effects that extend far beyond the classroom.
Beyond One-Off Campaigns: The Need for Continuous Engagement
Another key message from Mr. Pathak was that building resilience and civic responsibility is not a one-time event. Too often, schools organize “theme days”-Anti-Bullying Day, Peace Day, Earth Day-and expect the lessons to stick. While these events are valuable, their impact fades quickly if not followed up.
Instead, he argued for continuous engagement. From class 1 to class 12, children should have regular opportunities to explore values and causes. This sustained practice ensures that values are not just moments, but habits.
Equally important is validation. Children need recognition for their efforts-whether it’s showcasing their project at a school exhibition, publishing their reflections on a class blog, or simply receiving verbal acknowledgment from teachers and parents. Validation provides the positive reinforcement that keeps children motivated. Without it, they may turn to other sources-sometimes negative ones-for recognition.
Reflections Beyond the Classroom: Linking to Larger Goals
What made this podcast particularly meaningful was the way it connected everyday classroom practices to larger global goals. The conversation was not just about teachers or parents; it was about building societies that are peaceful, inclusive, and resilient-goals enshrined in the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG 4.7 and SDG 16, to be precise). In India, these ideas also align with the National Education Policy ( NEP 2020 ) , which emphasizes holistic education, value-based learning, and the integration of life skills into the curriculum. The podcast served as a reminder that these policies are not abstract documents; they must come alive in classrooms, homes, and communities.
Stories that Stay with Us
The beauty of this episode lay in its blend of philosophy and practicality. On one hand, it reminded listeners of timeless truths: children learn what they live; peace must be modeled, not merely taught. On the other hand, it offered simple, actionable steps: tell stories, design micro-projects, validate children’s efforts. Perhaps the most memorable moments came from the stories-of the boy who became an anti- bullying champion because of a kind word in class 1; of children convincing their families to adopt eco-friendly habits; of classrooms transformed into sanctuaries where values are practiced daily.
These stories lingered long after the episode ended, reminding us that education is not about filling minds with facts, but about shaping hearts and characters.
Conclusion: Life as a Fest, Not a Race
As the conversation drew to a close, one line captured the spirit of the episode: “Life is not a race, but a fest.”
In a world where children are often pushed into relentless competition, this reminder felt like a breath of fresh air. Education, the podcast suggested, should not be about rushing to the finish line, but about celebrating the journey- together, with children as equal partners.
The episode left listeners with both inspiration and responsibility. Inspiration to believe in the power of early years, in the possibility of peace and resilience being nurtured from childhood. Responsibility to act-as teachers who practice what they preach, as parents who model consistency, as communities that provide supportive ecosystems.
Final Call to Action
As we step back and reflect, the message of this episode is clear: peace is not built in parliaments or conferences alone-it is built in classrooms, homes, and playgrounds, in the everyday choices we make with and for our children.
The Navtika Podcast will continue to be a space where such conversations unfold-where stories meet solutions, and where ideas are shared to light the path forward.
To every listener, the invitation is simple: carry the insights into your classrooms, your homes, and your communities. Notice the small interactions, nurture the micro-projects, validate every effort, and above all believe in the transformative power of the early years.
For in every child lies not just the hope of tomorrow, but the foundation of a peaceful and resilient world.
