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'City of Destiny'
is synonymously known be the city of Visakhapatnam; in the city of destiny
around fifty young people from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain and
Muslim faiths gathered together for the Interfaith Youth Institute 2010.
Interfaith youth collectively destined to network in building peace and
reconciliation in their respective religious communities for bright future of
humanity.
The youth realized that they live in a world where there is growing violence
either perpetrated by radicals or by those who oppose them. In these conflicting
situations humans, especially youth was reflecting that whether there is a way
out of this vicious circle of violence. Youth realized that in these times the
goal of humanity should not be just building better structures of governance
rather creating new kind of relationships peace and reconciliation that would
make a healthy community living.
Today young people are encountering greater and more unique challenges than ever
before. In their crucial phase of development, not only are they confronted with
the biological and psychological growth processes that characterize youth and
adolescence, but they must also struggle with alarming external pressures such
as poverty, disease and violence. Young people have much at stake, yet they have
little say in the policies and activities that pertain to their lives. We also
know today the whole world acknowledges the crucial of role of young people in
building peace. The mission of young people is not to reach and change the world
radically, rather through the simple extensions of peace, love, and compassion.
Peacemaking is commonly understood to be passive acceptance of mistreatment, a
turning of the other cheek in the face of clear injustice or abuse, or other
weak images of meekness or nonresistance. Instead, peacemaking is a vibrant,
powerful concept, at its best peacemaking creates relational and structural
justice that allows for social and personal well being. Peacemaking implies the
use of cooperative, constructive processes to resolve human conflicts, while
restoring relationships.
This millennium the United Nations General Assembly also adopted a new
resolution, by declaring 21 September of each year as the International Day of
Peace. The intention of the resolution is to observe a day of peace and
nonviolence, in which armed conflict is meant to be stilled, a day for
combatants to observe cease-fires, a day in which all people are invited to
commit or reaffirm their commitment to non-violence and the peaceful resolution
of disputes. This decade has been dedicated and focusing in overcoming violence;
however we know that this has been one of the most violent decades in history.
Interfaith Youth Findings
Interfaith Youth understands peacemaking as an empowerment of the marginalized
in the society namely the Youth, Women, Children, Dalits, Tribals, disabled,
backward classes including the minority communities to foster individual freedom
and reconciliation.
Interfaith
Youth understands peacemaking as a call and a gift that leads the individual
into the sacred space and making them aware of the inalienable human rights and
their giftedness and assists them to develop these to reach high levels of
competence of life in a peaceful atmosphere, by providing many opportunities to
discover and develop their talents.
Interfaith
Youth understands peacemaking to be liberating youth from the social
conditioning that prevents them from living as free persons. It enables them to
develop their inner freedom and potential, so as not to be pressurized by the
violent conditions and expectations of society around but is able to decide
freely on crucial issues that affect choice of life, of family and human love.
Interfaith
Youth understands peacemaking to humanize and develop young people of character,
compassion, competence and conscience, committed to contribute to the evolution
of a counter culture to the present ruthlessly competitive model, by promoting
collaboration and cooperation for the growth of all, in a climate if mutual
trust and sharing of available resources.
Interfaith
Youth peacemaking means that the purpose of law and legal system is always have
been to resolve conflicts and disputes, give punishments to wrongdoers and to
give guidelines for all citizens so that they have a better life.
Interfaith
Youth peacemaking means to energize young people for the task of nation
building, so as to evolve a New Inclusive Indian Society, the nation of their
dreams which every youth can own and take pride and joy.
This understanding was reached with facilitations of Mr. Samuel J, Ms. Anuradha,
Ms. Upoma B, Fr. Jose, Arif Md. Yeasin and Hotoka P and Mr. Suman B. Interfaith
youth institute had orientation on 31 October, exposure trips on 1 & 2 November
and for input sessions 3 & 4 November. Interfaith Institute focused equally on
the practical aspects of peacemaking through exposure trips, field visits
coupled with input sessions, group discussions, panel presentations etc. The
interfaith youth institute was organized Commission on Youth of National Council
of Churches in India in association with the Interfaith Coalition for Peace and
South Asia Ecumenical Partnership Program, focusing on the theme Peace = Future,
in Ross Hill, Vishakhapatnam.
Reported by
Fr. Vineeth Koshy
Commission on Youth-Executive Secretary
National Council of Churches in India
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