Youth Interface for Peace Building

A one-day workshop on “Youth Interface for Peace Building” was organized by The Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action (CCPRA) in collaboration at Clark Theological College, Aolijen, Mokokchung on 25th November 2016.

The inaugural program was chaired by Ms. Pursenla Ozukum, Coordinator, CCPRA and the inaugural address was delivered by Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei, Executive Secretary of Commission on Youth-NCCI.  Mr. Toshi Sanglir, Youth Secretary, Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) shared greetings, while Mr. Shitovi Sema informed the participants about the Commission on Youth – NCCI.

The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Marnungsang, Principal, CTC on “Peace building Movement: Prospects and Responsibilities of Youth.” He said that people speak of peace because this has become one of the greatest desires in the minds of all people.” He affirmed that “young people have greater potential of promoting inclusive, compassionate and dialogue worldviews while adults have set dogmatic discourse.” He concluded that the young people should be included as partners of peace and that they are the catalyst for social change. Through their participation and support in peace building efforts, communities are most likely to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The facilitators for the workshop were Zulunungsang Lemtur and Dr. Leban Serto, Director, Centre for Peace Education, Manipur (CFPEM). Altogether 75 people comprising of youth directors and youths from different churches under ABAM and M.Th students of CTC attended the workshop.

The workshop sessions dwelt on ‘Theories and methods of peace building’, ‘Essential steps for conflict resolution and management’, ‘Conceptual frameworks on peace building’, ‘Non-violence and Peace: life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther king Jr, and the Kingian principles’.

At the end of the workshop, the participants engaged in group discussions through which they gave positive and helpful  feedback on what they learned from the workshop. The participants realized the importance of peace building within the society and shared that everyone should play an effective role for peace building. Some important observations of the participants were:  Violence breeds violence; Peace building should first begin within oneself; Non-Violence is one of the effective means for Peace building; Respect and Love each other irrespective of various differences; and Peace education is a must for  youth.