Mokokchung, October 1 (MExN): The Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action (CCPRA) two-day consultation on peace for church leaders under Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) is underway at Clark Theological College.
Altogether 173 delegates from 70 churches under Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang are participating in the consultation. The programme will conclude on October 2 evening.
The consultation is organized on the theme ‘Transformative Mediation for Peace.’ While bringing greetings from ABAM, Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger lauded the Clark Theological College for organizing such a historic and important consultation on one of the most pertinent concerns of our time. Citing how Dr. E.W. Clark, the first American Baptist Missionary in Nagaland build the bridge crossing Milak River in 1888, Dr. Mar said that the bridge was named as “Peace Bridge” which is very historic and continues to inspire all the peace loving people. The Executive secretary therefore invited the august house to be agents of peace in all possible ways.
The resource person for the first session Dr. Aküm Longchari, Publisher, The Morung Express dealt on the topic ‘Dialogue on Transformative Mediation for Peace.’ He noted that the term ‘Transformative Mediation’ is a technical term with multiple understanding. "It is important for an agent of peace to differentiate between himself/herself being an arbitrator or a mediator. The process of arbitration does not bring solution but rather increase the conflict." He noted the importance of transformative leadership, transformative pedagogy and transformative structure in order to embrace transformative mediation for peace.
Other resource persons were Dr. Pangernungba, Dr. A. Tali Ao and Dr. Phyobemo Ngully. The inaugural programme was chaired by Imtiwala Imchen, Programme Co-ordinator, CCPRA and Welcome and Introduction was said by the Principal, Clark Theological College Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener.
Another feature of the programme was releasing of two books, ‘Peacemaking and Dialogue: Religious Approaches in the Quest for Interfaith Relations’ edited by Mar Pongener and published by Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action and the second book ‘Popularization of Folk Music in Christian Worship’ authored by A. Temjen Jamir and published by Tribal Development and Communication Centre.
The inaugural program was led by Imtiwala Imchen Program Co-ordinator CCPRA followed by welcome and introduction by Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener, Principal CTC. Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary ABAM in his greetings mentioned Rev. E. W. Clark contribution towards civilization and peace in this part of the country; one such contribution worth mentioning is the building of the Bridge named “Peace Bridge” that connects Assam with Molongyimsen (Nagaland).
This was stated in an official communiqué by Imtiwala Imchen, Programme Coordinator, CCPRA.
