Education for Lasting Peace: Insights from Kilali David-West

Name: Kilali David-West

Current Designation: Programs Officer, Junior Achievement Nigeria

How do you feel about being educated?

I am so proud to call myself an educated black woman. My educational experience is quite interesting because it includes schooling in a different language, as well as exploring different cultures.

For me, education goes beyond the classroom and passing exams, it gives you the toolkit to be an active member of society. Through school, I got to fall in love with history, and how ancient civilizations found innovative ways to capture human experiences through visual art. Traveling and learning new languages got me to know about different cultures and their rich history. Through self-paced research, I got to deepen my passion for development and gender equality. Education was more than just getting a first-class degree, or being able to participate in Model UN. For me, it was a way to become the most authentic and confident version of myself. I explored different passions, became more involved with the world around me, and understood different cultural perspectives.

Did you ever experience bullying or discrimination as a student?

Fortunately, I never had bullying experiences, nor did I feel discriminated against because of my gender. However, when I moved to Turin, Italy, to complete Secondary School, I had to accept the fact that I was different from my peers.

Though I went to an Italian school in Lagos and was fluent in the language and familiar with the culture, I was African and black. I had to learn how to consider these identities because I was frequently judged by them. I am proud to say that I have never had negative racist experiences at my school or while I was living in Turin. However, I was often seen as an example to prove that I was different from other black African girls. Once, someone told me: “You’re not like the others, you’re kind and gentle”. I remember feeling so bothered by that statement. What did they mean by the others? Why are they surprised that I got a high mark on the test? Why do they think I have to behave like a stereotype? These were some of the questions I would ask myself.

I didn’t want to feel like an “other”, or a “model minority”. That is why I decided to apply for university in the UK. I felt more comfortable because I met friends who understood my unique experiences, both as a black person and Nigerian.

Do you believe that education has a role to play in promoting lasting peace? If yes, how?

Education is one of the ways we can promote peace, through spreading awareness and tolerance of different cultures, demographics, and issues in our society. However, sometimes education can be used to drive division and hatred, especially when it is misused. It was used to create barriers, by excluding women, the working class, black people, and other marginalized groups from having access to quality education. We need holistic and inclusive education, which goes beyond access to schools and universities and includes efforts from different parts of society.

This is the way to heal and mend existing divisions and move towards a world where people have equal possibilities for success. It means addressing and correcting stereotypes that keep women and girls at the fringes of society. It means making sure that people have information to curb the spread of deadly diseases, like Ebola and COVID-19. Additionally, working at an organization like JA Nigeria has allowed me to make a meaningful contribution by educating young people on key skills they need to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic, cultural, or ethnic background.