This seminal volume juxtaposes and interrogates established definitions of peacebuilding and excellence in diverse education settings, including in conflict, and assesses how they might work together in international educational contexts.

Showcasing in‑depth case studies from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Liberia, and the UK, chapters tackle issues of global significance such as identity, conflict, decolonisation, and climate justice, fusing empirical research outcomes with practical examples. Each chapter argues for the central role of peacebuilding in defining excellence in education, demonstrating context‑specific, cognitive, affective, and relational strands of learning and teaching. Ultimately challenging contemporary thinking and educational theory in an accessible, practitioner‑focused way, this book demonstrates how imaginative and reflective practice in diverse contexts can lead to the educational transformation required for the world’s current and future challenges.

This book will inspire educators, researchers, and policymakers involved with education policy and politics, citizenship education, and teacher education and development, to work towards change both within classrooms and at the systems level so that education can contribute to peacebuilding through new definitions of excellence.

Angie Kotler is a Research Fellow in International Education, University of Sussex, UK.

Jo Westbrook is Professor of International Education and Pedagogy, and Co‑Director of the Centre for International Education, University of Sussex, UK.