Dimapur, February 18 (MExN): “Peace education in the educational institutions can end all forms of violence in the families, schools and communities,” Fr. CP Anto, the founder-director of Peace Channel stated while addressing the Peace Club members of Assisi Hr. Sec. School students, faculty and the management on February 18.
Fr Anto in his address stressed on the importance of peace education in the multi-cultural, religious and linguistic communities of Nagaland. “Peace always begins with self and then transmits to others by following certain universal values and principles suggested by the movement.”
He encouraged the students to be messengers of peace where ever there is misunderstanding, quarrel, unhealthy arguments, fight, conflict etc. He also talks about the importance of self-starter rather than the kick starters.
Peace club members always are a self-starter who will be ready to take initiative to study better, lead the group, volunteering for service, helping the needy and resolving the small conflicts at the early stages of schooling. It will enable the students to cope up with difficult situations in future easily.
He also added that all the club members are capacitated on problem solving skill, non-violent communication, leadership skill, personality development etc., He also emphasized again on impact of peace education programmes it is centered on conflict resolution typically focus on the social behavioral symptoms of conflict, training individuals to resolve inter-personal disputes through techniques of negotiation and peer mediation.
It was stated that the programmes help the individuals to manage anger, fight fair and improve communication through skills and different capacity building programmes. It also emphasizes the personal responsibility of the students to show respect to all kinds of life, to develop a healthy self-image, build trust with others, promote social growth and address the suffering in the world while learning compassion and empathy. It is to help students to be aware of peace and to find ways of keeping peace by conflict resolution.
It also helps the students to recognize many forms and causes of violence and conflict and to promote values and skills for living in the society.
Fr Anto encouraged the peace club members to learn every day something new for life, relearn that is helping you to grow as peace lovers, and unlearn certain things which are not healthy. He asked all the students to start practicing forgiveness as it is the first step towards making peace.
During the event, the new club members took peace pledge to be the peace lovers, peace makers and peace promoters wherever they are.
The programme was chaired by Kisuilei, welcome address was delivered by Sr. Judith Eliz Pinto, Vice and vote of thanks was pronounced by Seyikhrereto. The programme was concluded with a Peace Anthem. Later Apong the district coordinator of Peace Channel trained the students on capacity building.
