Interfaith leaders came together under one roof for a collective discussion on peacebuilding and reconciliation on 21st September 2022 

The event was conducted by the Caritas India Samvaad programme on the International Day of Peace to sensitize the communities and stakeholders on the importance of this day and inculcate a feeling of peace and brotherhood among the community. 

The past few years have witnessed traumatic communal strife with the loss of lives and public property. Though several efforts are being taken by the government to avoid communal disputes but somehow the conflict has peeped in through the narrow gaps and maligned the image of our nation at the global level. 

The event helped to share the message of peace among individuals to share how peace can play an essential role in the development of the country. Keeping the theme of the day “End racism. Build peace.” participants of the meeting shared their valuable insights.

The International Day of Peace was observed by the partners to engage the community in the process of building peace and reconciliation.

Meerut Sewa Samaj and Karuna Social Service Society organized programs with different stakeholders to make them aware and sensitize the importance of peacebuilding. 

An interface meeting was organized on this special day by both partners, and it was celebrated with great enthusiasm in which different religious leaders, citizen’s forum leaders, CBO members, and student and youth volunteers participated. A peace march was conducted where the children and stakeholders walked with the messages of peacebuilding and reconciliation to build communal harmony.

Brahma Kumari Shalu, Prajapati Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya, Mr. Kamar Akhtar, Manager of Divine Public School, Founder of Premdham Ashram Fr. Benny, and Fr. Shibu and Mrs. Madhu Maheshwari, Bahudoy lok Seva Sanstha were the special guests at KSS Bijnor. The Meerut diocese meeting was chaired by Dr. Yogesh Dudhera (President District Security and Peace Committee) and Bodh religious leader, Mr. Chamanlal Baddhiyan, Sikh religious leader, Mukhya Granthi Sardar Veer Singh ji (Shree Guru Singh Sabha), Muslim Religious Leaders Haji Shamser Ali and Maulvi Muzaffar Hussain (Mohatmim Islamia Talimul Kuran madarsa), Hindu religious scholar Acharya Deepak and key stakeholders. 

Caritas India is working to promote peacebuilding in seven districts of western Uttar Pradesh which had a history of communal strife. Samvaad started in the year 2021 with six partners to create an environment to empower and sensitize communities where social peace and integration are restored in the seven districts. In the last one year, this program had witnessed and developed a sense of understanding in the communities on the importance of peace. Under this programme, communities and stakeholders are invited irrespective of caste, creed, and sex to have a dialogue on peace promotion in their area. 

Several people witnessed this observation and learned the importance of peace. Students and youth presented cultural activities with the messages of peace and harmony and peaceful co-existence. Program staff and other stakeholders appealed the gathering for their support in building peace in their area. All religious leaders influenced people to promote mutual harmony and brotherhood in their surroundings. A signature campaign was also done where the participants shared their views on the banner and signed. The event concluded with recreation activities where winners were acknowledged.

Media coverage in the regional news of this event had added value to this program.