Youth Blogs
#YouthPeacelnitiative – Private Sessions
#YouthPeacelnitiative; Society For Youth organized two workshops on “Religion, Peace and Conflict” and “Religious Engagement”. Student leaders from the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, and Muslim Youth University Islamabad participated in the workshops.
The workshops covered the role religion plays in peace and conflict, positive/negative peace, various manifestations of religion, the ambivalent nature and complexities of religious interpretations, and the various dimensions of religion as experienced in our daily lives. Students reflect on their own identities and their intersection with conflicts and opportunities for peace.
Students engaged in activities identifying the various dimensions of religion in Pakistan and elsewhere. They identified religious institutions, communities, symbols, customs, rituals, formal/informal authorities, and the role religious leaders can play in responding to violence. Importantly, students learned how the existence of active conflict isn’t necessary for religious peacebuilding. Peacebuilding can be pursued in any context, and we must be intentional in integrating religious identity into the peace-making process. Students also reflected on and discussed tools and skills that prophetic ministries can supply to make peace more sustainable and long-term.
Thank you to our leaders who continue to lead and facilitate these important peace-building conversations. We are also thankful especially to International Center for Religion and Diplomacy for helping develop the thought and design for the Religion and Peace Building workshops.
