Communication and education for peace: a look at cultural violence and its socio-emotional effects among communication students

Abstract

Over the recent decades, international organizations such as UNESCO, the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO) have highlighted a growing concern regarding the impact of violence on the mental health of the young. In Brazil, this context has been aggravated by political polarization, economic insecurity and the social inequality. This article presents a range of socio-emotional impacts of political and economic instability on the construction of the identities and future prospects among first-year Public Relations, Advertising and Tourism first-year university students at the CRP/ECA/USP. The research study was conducted in three stages, namely: an initial literature review, the application of an online questionnaire and a round table discussion. The results of the study reveal the need for educational strategies that integrate Communication for Peace as a tool to strengthen the socio-emotional resilience and social engagement of young people. The conclusion is that investing in a culture of peace and the integral support of Social Communication university students is essential for promoting a more equitable and hopeful society.