News
The third annual training of peace activists through the Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA) opened during an interfaith service at the headquarters of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) on 15 October.
The weeklong YAPA-2018, with the theme “Peace with Justice and Human Security,” drew 27 young people sponsored by CCA member churches and councils as well as representatives of Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim organisations in Asia.
During a thematic address at the beginning of the programme on “Peace with Justice and Human Security: Interfaith Perspectives,” CCA general secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara stated: “The concept of security envisioned needs to be understood properly as the notion of security has been interpreted often in political contexts, and linked only to national security or war and military defence. Such an approach will not be taking into consideration the importance of human security and the right of the poor to live in dignity, safety and with access to justice.”
Chunakara further added that “peace and security can only be attained and sustained in a society where people in a community truly care for one another with mutual recognition and tolerance on the basis of love and care for others; there will not be peace without justice, and there will also not be peace without security.”
Various presentations at the YAPA will explore the ways to empower civil society in its quest for social development, economic security, human rights, food security, environmental security, community security and political security.
YAPA – 2018 aims to train prospective young peace activists and bring them to a common platform to help build communities where peace and harmony prevail.
The curriculum and training methodologies are based on inter-cultural, inter-religious and non-formal learning approaches. The participants also share experiences on the best practices of inter-connectedness to act more effectively as a network.
The training will conclude on 20 October.
