Educational, Epistemological and Methodological Considerations on Multicultural and Peace Education

Abstract

Based on the result of over a decade of studies I conducted at the Palestinian Jewish integrated bilingual schools in Israel I consider some foundational issues related to present practice and research in the field of multicultural and peace education. I argue that any contributions psychological perspectives might offer to the development of pedagogies that can reduce intergroup hostilities are insufficient and suggest the need to critically approach the concepts of self and identity, culture, multiculturalism, and the political organization of the nation-state if we aim at enhancing the outcomes of intergroup education, the strategies that may improve it, and its research.