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Global Peace Foundation India organised a one
day training workshop on ‘Empowering Youth as Peacebuilders’ at Mata Sundari
College, University of Delhi. About 60 Peace Club members from different
colleges participated.
Presenting the welcome address at the
beginning of the training, Dr Harpreet Kaur, Principal of Mata Sundari College,
stated there are interrelationships and interconnectedness in human and
nature's activities. While considering peace, it is necessary to consider the
interrelationship between environment and human relations. She mentioned Guru
Gobind Singh’s saying, “Manas ki Jaat sabhe eke pehchanbo,” to explain the
shared identity we humans have.
Chairman of GPF India, Dr Markandeya Rai,
while explaining the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam principle of Indian culture, said
that in Indian traditions, the desire for world peace has been expressed in
many quotes like Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina and Shanti Path, that stress on the
principle of unity and oneness. He highlighted the sayings of Guru Nanak Dev,
'ek noor te sb jag upja’ while explaining the vision of GPF india, i.e.,
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. “The work of peace establishment can be started immediately
only with the value of service, giving spirit, and love for all.”
Dr Rai said that today, India has a
population of 808 million youth, and the youth should come forward in the role
of peace messengers, peacebuilders, and peace ambassadors.
International relations expert Dr Prabhas
Chandra Sinha, Director GPF India, explained the peacebuilding process in
detail with many examples and said that good governance, healthy business
environment, equitable distribution of resources, free flow of information, acceptance
of the rights of others are pillars of the peacebuilding. He added, “Educational
institutions can play an effective role in the field of peacebuilding by
adopting peace values in education.” He also explained in detail various
employment opportunities and possibilities in the field of peace.
Following this, Anjali Programme
Secretary/Project Officer, led the second session on Interfaith Leadership.
This session emphasised on community based peacebuilding and the importance of
the Dialogue in Interfaith and Intercultural Settings. Tools for active
listening and cultural humility were highlighted, alongside a strategic
discussion on overcoming the "Us vs Them" mentality. Using examples
spanning ancient, medieval, and contemporary India, she emphasised on the
syncretistic approach in Indian tradition to contribute to peacebuilding. The
case study of Malerkotla illustrated the significance of interfaith leadership
and dialogue.
Prof Surendra Pathak, Principal Investigator
of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Project of GPF India, said that personal and global
peace should be understood with the interrelationship, interconnectedness, and
coexistence of individual, family, society, nation and international community.
He said that in nature, air, water, soil, plants, trees, animals and humans are
in coexistence and interrelationship. This should be seen as a sign of peace in
terms of environmental balance.
In the era of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber
Security, and World Wide Internet, digital awareness is essential for peace.
Well known cyber security expert Vandana Guliya expressed concern over the
increasing cybercrime and drew attention to various aspects of cyber security
and also told how youth can lead in creating an environment of peace by using
social media networks.
Sahil Ali informed me about the Digital Peace
Program of GPF India and appealed to participate in it.
At the beginning of the programme, Mata
Sundari College Principal Dr Harpreet Kaur, program convenor Dr Neetu Sharma, Co
Convenor Dr Moitri Dey, and Dr Jaspertap Singh were felicitated by GPF India
President Dr Markandey Rai for their contribution in the field of peace.
Convenor Dr Neetu Sharma presented the vote
of thanks. Apart from the members of the Peace Club of Mata Sundari College,
students from other colleges also participated in this training.
