Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Education: Teach the risks of blame and the skills of conflict resolution

However we voted in the Brexit referendum we are aware that divisions have opened up in UK society. There are real concerns about communication breakdown, leading to generalisations about groups and a loss of humanity and empathy. Divisions may be based on age, or politics, how we voted, or on class, nationality or ethnic origin, or on how we see our future.

Education in conflict resolution is vital for moving forward together. Young people can take active responsibility for resolving conflicts both in their own lives and through peer mediation. We can all learn about the risks of scapegoating groups and blaming others for dissatisfactions, most likely in the experience of hardship or fear. Restorative approaches support people's sense of fairness and allow people to recover from harm, without causing harm in return. They help to heal divisions and deepen understanding.

Some UK Schools and Colleges have begun to teach Restorative Practice as a way of valuing diverse identities and recognising our interdependence with others. For more information see www.restorativejustice.org.uk/restorative-practice-schools.

This model equips children and students with the skills for resolving conflicts and supports organisations to build a culture of dialogue and respect. Justine Greening, make Restorative Practice part of the curriculum and support all children and students learning these skills.