Marion Hubbard’s Story
My experiences as student, teacher and parent have taught me to respect the natural human right to growth through learning in freedom: "freedom" as in the absence of religious or political dogma which nurtures ignorance, fear, hatred and thus conflict. So-called "˜spiritual' freedom or "˜inner freedom' is moral freedom because it implies responsibility and thus contrasts with irresponsible freedom or "license". Moral freedom allows for insight into the interconnectedness between all people and respect for one's own humanity and respect for the humanity of others. In this way moral freedom or "true freedom" translates to outer freedom which is foundational to a culture of peace.
World peace depends on each person's respect for their own humanity as well as the humanity of others. Therefore it is necessary to have a universal education which aligns its foundational a culture of peace. philosophy with the understanding of human nature as a social, compassionate and therefore peaceful nature. Inner peace - a function of moral or 'spiritual' development - translates to moral action and social cooperation or 'outer peace'. Consequently education for peace is a function of learning which is meaningful because it engages the person's natural motivation for complete human development. So-called 'peace education' or 'holistic education' provides the conditions for world peace because it provides the conditions which are right for complete human development. We must learn to trust human nature and educate children in such a way that they can develop their human potential. This is the only way we can bring real peace to the world.
''There is only one problem, and it is human development in its totality; once this is achieved in any unit - child or nation - everything else follows spontaneously and harmoniously.'' (Maria Montessori. To Educate the Human Potential )
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