Peren, February 27 (MExN): The Peren chapter of Peace Channel organized one day seminar cum induction of new members at All Saints Higher Secondary School Hall in Peren Town on February 25. Martha Caceres and Mohit Nahar from Liverpool Hope University, UK were the resource persons.
In her address, Martha Caceres said peace is not only an absence of direct violence but peace should also represent a scenario where individuals or communities are not harmed or suffering from any other kind of violence. For example: discrimination, poverty, difficulties to access to education or even tensions inside the families and communities. Quoting John Paul Lederach, a recognized peace builder scholar, she said that relationships are the main essence in peace. “This means how I respond to the events will have an effect in the peace at global level,” she added. In her concluding remark, Martha called upon the participants stating “when we give skills to our children, teachers and leaders on how to manage an emotion and respond to conflict, the conflict is transformed into learning. We are working on long term peace and we are developing agents of peace.”
Speaking on ‘Inner peace,’ Mohit Nahar quoted the words of Sydney Madwed, “Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves.” To become an agent of peace, he added, it is necessary to start feeling the peace inside of ourselves. “When we transform ourself, it will give us more awareness and more love towards our self. When we know how to respond to conflict situations, we will be able to transform the conflict into learning,” Mohit stated.
The concept and functioning of peace coordination committee was covered by Janthuiyang RK John, Project Coordinator, Peace Channel and multi-media presentation and introduction to Peace Channel was given by David Ndang, District Coordinator, Peren.
Earlier at the programme, Rev. Fr. Philip Mhonchumo, Principal, All Saints Hr. Sec. School welcomed the resource persons and all the participants. 34 new club members from All Saints Hr. Sec. Schools, Baptist High School and Govt. Middle School Peren were inducted into the Peace Club by George, Teacher animator of All Saints Hr. Sec. School in the presence of the resource persons, heads of the institutions and other participants.
The programme that began with invoking God’s blessing by Dr. Hiazuheing, Chairman, Pastors’ Fellowship Peren Town concluded with Peace Anthem by the congregation.
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