Iran

Nonviolence has characterized Iranians’ calls for reform thus far, but there are concerns that this may not always be the case. Many believe that children with violent toys are more likely to engage in violent behavior later in life. Behjat Vaezi is former president of the Peace, Culture, and Development Council, which educates children in nonviolence. A leading activist and writer in the promotion of peace education and culture across the country, Ms. Vaezi has initiated a wide range of projects, training workshops, and research efforts aimed at children, university students, and adults. She is head of the Peace and Culture Group at the DONIA Children’s Research Institute, an organization that focuses on conflict resolution and education. She holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology from Pahlavi University in Iran.

Ms. Vaezi’s peace-building efforts include:

• coordinating the conference “Children, Toys, and Peace,” where government officials, educators, and toy company representatives discussed the importance of nonviolent toys in child development;
• organizing and facilitating, in cooperation with UNHCR, a series of workshops aimed at building a peaceful society through education, preparing Iranian and Afghan women for educational roles in their countries’ schools;
• coordinating Peace21, a conflict resolution organization for university students, through DONIA; and
• authoring articles on the negative effects of violence and violent toys and games on children.

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