Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kohima (Agenzia Fides) - Young Christians in Northeast India love peace and want to be promoters of peace in the area afflicted by ethnic conflicts and social tensions. In the diocese of Kohima (in the state of Nagaland), thanks to the initiative of a local priest, Father C. P. Anto, who works for the Catholic movement "Peace Channel", aims to involve young people to "build a culture of peace in the region. The Young of "Peace Channel" behave as authentic "messengers of peace", in families, schools, colleges, communities, villages. Their mission and their commitment is "to be prophets of peace in society".
The movement, explains Fr. Anto to Fides, was born "after closely seeing violence and death in the region of Nagaland, with the loss of many innocent lives". This is why the idea of bringing together young people was born, with great ideals and lots of good will, "and allow them to become protagonists in promoting peace and harmony in the area, raising awareness among their neighbors of all ethnicities and religions, in the name of values such as peace, reconciliation, equality, fraternity".
The Young of "Peace Channel" follow training sessions where they study the situation of the context in which they live, the cultural, ethnic, tribal and religious differences, and then they put in place appropriate strategies to "build bridges", also supporting initiatives regarding social, economic, cultural development, in the education and environmental education field.
"Peace Channel" is organizing prayer meetings, vigils for peace, seminars and conferences, and is also active in the field of interreligious dialogue, seen as an effective way to build peace. Young people - said Father Anto - become "ambassadors of peace" in times of tension such as micro-conflicts between tribal groups in the northeastern region of India, especially by involving their peers and "communicating to them the value of peace". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/06/2011)
