Youth leadership development is a crucial component of peacebuilding programs conducted by the Global Peace Foundation around the world. With their energy and passion, youth are emerging leaders who play a critical role in peacebuilding, starting in their local communities. As seen in countries like India, GPF programs provide platforms for youth peacebuilding, cross-community and intergenerational dialogue, leadership development, and capacity-building. The following article from GPF describes the ongoing projects that are nurturing moral and innovative leaders in India.
Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India’s ongoing programs empower youth to lead peacebuilding efforts in their communities across the country.
In August, GPF India partnered with DAVIET to commemorate International Youth Day with a workshop on “Peace, food security, and sustainable agriculture.” More than 200 people joined the event, where inspirational speakers like Mathew Mattam and Poojita Goswami highlighted the pivotal role of young minds in the peacebuilding process.
GPF India also conducts ongoing programs that educate young leaders and equip them with the knowledge and tools to make a difference in their communities.
Young volunteers are trained through GPF India leadership workshops to become mentors for transformative projects like WASH, a water, sanitation, and hygiene education program that teaches children essential sanitation techniques.
The young leaders who attend GPF India training programs and Moral and Innovative Leadership workshops often go on to participate in other imperative projects like SMILE. Launched by GPF India in 2018, the project aims to empower the children and families of underprivileged areas of India with the opportunity to equal education and provide skill-based training. Through the program, volunteers and mentors introduce children to various games, activities, music, and dance, as well as food, not only to promote a healthy lifestyle but also to direct the energy of the youth in a productive direction.
On September 28, volunteers with a recent SMILE project distributed stationery to underprivileged children at the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Learning Centre in Karawal Nagar.
GPF India also facilitates peacebuilding workshops for youth, like the recent Peacebuilding and Leadership Training at Peace Public School, Kottakkal, Kerala, held in September. The sessions encouraged students to have the motivation to live for the greater good, dream big, take ownership, and utilize teamwork for global peace. They had the opportunity to discuss leadership topics, the significance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in contemporary times, and the vision of one global family.
In October, GPF India also hosted a training program for students at the Government College of Art & Craft, Basistha, Assam. The theme of the forum was “Cultivating Peace Through Art.” Organizers said, “Delving into the profound connection between art and peace, we painted a brighter future with our collective creativity.”
The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.