Students told they can be agents of peace

[caption id="attachment_176170" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Members of Peace Channel with students of Little Angel School during the leadership training programme in Wokha.[/caption] Dimapur, April 13 (EMN): Local resource group the Peace Channel conducted a capacity building programme for students at the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Dimapur on April 6. The objective of the programme was to impart ‘peace education’ and to emphasis the importance of peace in the minds of the young, updates received here on Friday informed. Resource person Garrol Lotha talked about the concept of peace during the event. She told the students that peace was not merely the absence of war but that it was a situation where individuals or group actively collaborate and co-exist in harmony and understanding despite odds. Lotha lamented that bringing peace in the society is a complex process and does not have an instant outcome. It is a long term process which involves prevalence of justice, mutual understanding of culture and the religion of others, humanity, tolerance and acceptance of differences, she said. Peace can be instilled in the young minds by educating the culture of working together, appreciate co-existence, develop non-violent conflict resolution skills, respect for human dignity, religious tolerance and understanding of the world. She encouraged the students to be a change maker and an agent of peace for our better tomorrow. A day’s programme included ice breaking session, initiated by MSW trainees from North East Institute of Social Sciences and Reasearch; input session by resource person; interaction; and group activities. Students pledge to have a positive outlook towards life, respect and accept individuals’ regardless of religion, culture, and creed to be an agent of peace and a path finder for peace for a better society. Also, the Peace Channel organized leadership training for the club members at Little Angel School in Wokha on April 13. Update received on Friday from the organizers informed that altogether 36 members along with the teacher animator participated in the programme. Speaking during the programme, peace activist, Patrick W Tungoe said ‘leadership is not about a title or a designation but a person who knows the way, goes the way and show the way.’ He exhorted that being a leader one should create an inspiring vision for the future, coaches and builds a team and motivates and inspire the people to engage more effectively at achieving the goals. Tungoe encouraged the participants to be willing to accept and overcome mistakes and failure. To be a leader we should work hard to build ourselves, be it self-discipline, Character and values by always setting good examples because it is not possible to lead someone else if we don’t lead ourselves in the Right direction, he said. He also challenged the participants to set ‘smart goals’ which are specific, measurable, achievable, rational / realistic and time bound. Student leaders took oath to strive to be leaders who would make a difference.