Caritas India convened with interfaith leaders and prominent citizens in Western Uttar Pradesh to discuss transferring ownership of the Samvaad – Peace Building program to the local community. The meetings, held in Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar on June 12, 2024 aimed to enhance accountability and ensure the program’s sustainability.

Samvaad, operational in seven districts of Uttar Pradesh, focuses on addressing issues related to conflict, violence, and social unrest. The program promotes peace, reconciliation, and harmony among communities through dialogue, conflict resolution techniques, capacity building, and community engagement activities. Participants in the meeting were educated on the responsibilities and functioning of a peace and development forum, along with the expected behavior of its members.

The Head of Programs of Caritas India, Ms. Babita Pinto, highlighted the program’s achievements over the past five years, emphasizing the creation of active peace-promoting groups. She expressed her intention to transfer ownership of these initiatives to a newly formed forum that would continue the peace and development efforts in the region. Ms. Pinto thanked the participants for their attendance and urged them to voluntarily support this noble cause.

The workshop proceeded with a session on participant expectations, addressing queries about the forum’s functioning and member responsibilities. Following this, a brief introduction to the Samvaad Peace Program was provided. Mr. Animesh Williams, the Program Associate of the Samvaad program from Caritas India, introduced the peace forum and underscored its significance. He explained the concept and objectives of the peace and development forum, elaborating on the roles and responsibilities of its members. He also discussed the forum’s operations, which include activities such as workshops, research policy dialogues, capacity-building programs, and initiatives to promote development and peace. The vision and mission statement of the forum were shared to provide further clarity.

A session on the dos and don’ts, along with the forum’s bylaws, was conducted by Mr. Abdhesh Kumar, a consultant team member from Caritas India. He explained what the forum members would be expected to do and avoid once the forum is established. He also presented the draft bylaws, which included ten articles outlining the forum’s criteria.

The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Kuldeep, a team member who expressed gratitude to all participants for their involvement. He encouraged everyone to come together and share the forum’s values, reinforcing the collective commitment to peace and development in the region.

The event saw representatives from various backgrounds, including the District Peace Committee, Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Arabic education leaders, Afkar India Foundation, Fr. Andrew Peter, Principal of St. Johns School, Agra Diocese, and the District Qazi. These representatives shared their valuable insights, contributing to the rich discussions and collaborative atmosphere of the workshop.

Caritas India’s Samvaad program aims to promote social peace and harmony and strengthen social integration amongst diverse communities. By engaging local leaders and communities, the program seeks to build a sustainable framework for peace and development that can be locally managed and maintained.

The discussions held during the workshop underscore the importance of local ownership and community-led initiatives in fostering peace and reconciliation. By transferring ownership of the Samvaad program to the community, Caritas India aims to empower local leaders and ensure the long-term sustainability of peace-building efforts.

As Caritas India continues to support and guide these initiatives, the focus remains on promoting dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among communities. The Samvaad program’s success in Western Uttar Pradesh serves as a model for other regions grappling with conflict and social unrest, demonstrating the power of community engagement and capacity building in achieving lasting peace and harmony.

The ongoing efforts of Caritas India, in collaboration with local communities and leaders, highlight the critical role of grassroots initiatives in addressing and resolving conflicts. By fostering a culture of peace and reconciliation, the Samvaad program contributes significantly to the broader goal of social integration and harmony across diverse communities.