YMCA Batticaloa Youth Participate in School of Peace 2019 in Chiang Mai, Thailand
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – NOVEMBER 21, 2019 – Two outstanding youth members from YMCA Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, are proudly representing their community at the School of Peace 2019, an intensive international peace education program held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from September to November 21, 2019.
Hosted by Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF), the School of Peace (SoP) is a three-month residential program designed to nurture youth leaders from across Asia in the fields of peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. The program brings together participants from diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds to learn how to foster peace, tolerance, and reconciliation in their communities.
Voices from Batticaloa in a Global Dialogue for Peace
The participation of the two youth members from YMCA Batticaloa marks a proud moment for Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, as they engage with peers from across the continent in a collaborative effort to deepen understanding and challenge systems of injustice.
Over the course of the program, the participants have been involved in workshops on non-violent communication, conflict transformation, interfaith coexistence, and community empowerment. They have also shared their own stories from Sri Lanka, contributing valuable insight into the region’s post-conflict realities and the ongoing efforts for reconciliation and social healing.
A Journey of Learning, Healing, and Hope
The School of Peace encourages not only intellectual development but also personal transformation. Through reflection sessions, cross-cultural exchange, and community immersion, participants are challenged to confront prejudices, strengthen their identities, and commit to peace as a way of life.
YMCA Batticaloa’s youth delegates have embraced this opportunity to grow as peace ambassadors, with plans to initiate youth-led peacebuilding projects upon their return to Sri Lanka. Their vision includes engaging schools, community groups, and faith-based organizations in conversations about harmony, justice, and non-violence.
Strengthening Youth Leadership for a Peaceful Tomorrow
As the program concludes on November 21, 2019, the contributions made by the representatives from YMCA Batticaloa have left a lasting impact. Their journey underscores the crucial role of young people in shaping inclusive and peaceful societies across Asia and beyond.
YMCA Batticaloa extends its congratulations and full support to the participants, confident that their experience at the School of Peace 2019 will spark positive change throughout the communities they serve.
