India: NCERT-UNODC RiseUp4Peace consultation unites policymakers, educators and young people to champion education for peace, lawfulness and inclusion

Today, young people face critical challenges—mental health, cyber risks, drug use, violence, among others. Responding to this right from the classrooms is “a need of the hour,” educators say. India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 both recognize the need to nurture responsible citizens who can contribute to peace and harmony in an increasingly complex world. But this ambition goes beyond the traditional scope of education—it requires reimagining educational interventions in classrooms, schools, and communities.

In the bustling classrooms and vibrant schoolyards across India, there is a powerful movement quietly taking shape—one that champions peace, lawfulness and inclusion through education. At the heart of this movement are not just the policymakers, educators, or institutions, but young people who stand as the most crucial catalysts of change. Bridging theory with practice, UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace educational initiative is focused on engaging and empowering young people to resist negative influences, emerging vulnerabilities and risky behaviors. 

Emphasising the initiative’s relevance and impact, over 70 policymakers, educators and young champions ideated and charted a roadmap for fostering peace, inclusion, and lawfulness in education--as envisioned in NEP 2020 and NCF 2023—at a RiseUp4Peace policy consultation convened by India’s apex curriculum body, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and UNODC South Asia in New Delhi. Working in mixed groups, policymakers, educators and students exchanged practical insights on curriculum integration, good practices and new ideas, as well as the way forward. Key insights shared by educators emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to education.

United Nations India Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp highlighted the immense potential of India’s 265.2 million students as catalysts for change, emphasizing the importance of quality, values-driven education in shaping inclusive and peaceful societies. “Education is the cornerstone for peace, inclusion, and resilience. Together, we must ensure every child thrives in a safe, empowering environment.”

Launched this year, the cross-cutting collaborative initiative has engaged over 30,000+ stakeholders across 14 states and UTs through participatory capacity building of educators, co-creation of school-led initiatives, and activity-based learning of students. RiseUp4Peace has spurred innovative interventions blending arts, tech, and sports to empower students, with support of a diverse set of partners: public, private and rural schools, NCERT, DERT Meghalaya, Raipur Police and educator and youth groups. 

Dr. Amarendra Prasad Behera, Joint Director, NCERT urged educators to actively build capacities and develop values-driven modules to transform education. “NEP 2020 and NCF 2023 envision education as a bridge to a more just and peaceful society. Such collaborations transform vision into action.” UNODC Regional Representative Marco Teixeira underscored the vulnerabilities of youth to drugs, mental health challenges, and risky behaviors, advocating for educational interventions that prioritize integrity, resilience, and lawfulness. UNODC Deputy Representative for South Asia, Dr. Suruchi Pant highlighted that “a whole-of-society approach is essential to empower students and ensure they have the support needed to thrive.”

Young people also shared their lived experiences, bringing attention to the importance of providing platforms for mental health awareness, gender equality, inclusion, lawfulness, and cyber safety. Ms. Aarushi Gambhir, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion and RiseUp4Peace champion, emphasized that "classrooms are where disability inclusion must truly begin," further stressing the need for inclusive education from the ground up.

Equipped with trainings, tools, monthly activity plans and continuous cross-learning, a growing number of educators are integrating important themes pertaining to SDG16 in classroom programs with RiseUp4Peace. Schools are leading change with creative outputs with street plays, music, art, AI-tools and school-wide projects on anti-bullying, cyber safety, drug use prevention and gender equality. 

Student-led conversations and advocacy efforts through vlogs, posters, social work and peer-centered activities are responding to emerging realities from classrooms. The result? “Young learners resonating with a critical challenge, identifying solutions and responses, sharpening their own unique skills and developing a sense of empathy, leadership and social responsibility,” said Ms. PK Dhillon, Principal, KNPS Phagwara (Punjab).

The consultation reinforced the call for a whole-of-society approach to education, with policymakers, educators and students as equal partners in creating a roadmap to promote transformative education for SDG16. UNODC’s Communications Officer for South Asia, Mr. Samarth Pathak, summarized the impact of the initiative which has spanned across India’s diverse regions. "With RiseUp4Peace, educators and students are not just learning about peace, lawfulness, and inclusion—they are actively working toward it.”

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