Peace activists share outlook on building peace

Dimapur, Aug. 24 (EMN): The Peace Channel and North East Institute of Social Sciences and Researches, (NEISSR) hosted a webinar on August 22, with Niketu Iralu, peace activist, Mohamed Ghabris, humanitarian worker and Wangayl Damko, full time initiatives of change volunteer as the speakers.

In his opening remark, Fr. Dr. C P Anto, director of Peace Channel and principal of NEISSR, shared on the purpose of life especially building leaders for peace.

"When we understand the precarious poignant crisis that we are in namely the Covid-19 pandemic, we are driven by purpose to accomplish our mission on earth and whole humanity is waiting to experience the aftermath of this current situation," he said.

Speaking about humanity coming together, Fr. Anto said transcendent and loyalty is needed from one's race, tribe, class and nation for peaceful world. 'We need to move from micro identity to macro identity that is the identity of humanity,' he added.

According to Fr. Anto, lack of love is one of the biggest problems that the world is facing today. ‘Bringing peace with love will bring peace to oneself, family and community if provided that we keep moving beyond our tribal identity and religious identity to grow towards humanity as people,’ he added.

Niketu Iralu in his speech said 'peace is a most sensitive thing and we all want it, we all shout for it, we too easily think that it will become available if we want it and demand it by going procession for it, hold conference for it and proclaim by saying give peace a chance, down with war and so on'.

Citing a song by John Lennon, one of The Beatles, "Give peace a chance," he said 'a slogan like that is wonderful but we forget that it requires us to give something else first if we are to have peace.

‘Give the small voice or the voice of truth or conscience or God the chance to deal with what needs to be changed if there is to be peace in the world,’ he said, adding that change starts from family and at home.

Iralu also shared revolutionary stories of Frank Buchman, the American statesman who started the global Moral Re- Armament (MRA) which is now called the 'Initiative Of Change' and a British diplomat, Archie Machenzie, who was part of the British delegation when the United Nation was created in San Francisco in 1945.

"The meaning and purpose of life of those highly trained diplomats who come to solve problems, but there are problems in their lives of all kinds, corruptions, cruelty and all others things that has not been dealt with that destroys peace and make peace impossible. But they come representing their nations to deal with very serious problems. We have to learn to look at issues that way examine questions like this. We just have to deal with where things are going wrong and deal with it," he said.

"The purpose of life, what you and I are called for is extremely important because, if we are not clear, then we are not at peace. We are driven by insecurity, doubt, and a lot of ambition and those working around us, realise or sense that something is not right and they do not want to touch those things and become cynical and lose hope. We destroy faith and conviction in them," Iralu maintained.

He concluded by saying that change has to start from everyone, ‘if not whatever one says remains a theory.’

Mohamed Ghabris said as a child he was taught society perspective- finishing degrees, getting good job, making good money, buying a house, getting married and having children.

He narrated his journey with 'Initiatives of Change' and how he could contribute in bringing peace between denominations, communities and families.

The purpose of life according to him is to trust oneself, make peace with oneself and believing in the decision of heart.

The meaning and purpose of life in building leadership for peace, reflects how in the past the idea of a leader was focused more on getting praise and appreciation from others, said Wangayl Damko. He shared his testimony of how he grew up with pride, hatred and corruption and how he is a changed person today.

Moderator of the session, Vitono Haralu, trainer and consultant of Peace Channel, said, ‘the need to amplify the voices of young people in the right direction has been deeply felt and the theme of the webinar was an attempt to introduce the space to be more self aware and define the kind of leadership role that is required in this current pandemic; and find solutions within for many other social human problems in Nagaland, Northeast and the world through personal changes stories.’