North East Youth Trained To Address Conflict Situations

Dimapur – As many as 22 young men and women from 5 dioceses in the north–eastern region of India have recently taken part in a series of workshops to address conflict situations.

Based on the theme of ‘Resolving Conflicts and Valuing Diversity,’ the Catholic Church in the North East through its North Eastern Regional Youth Commission (NERYC) has conducted a seven–day workshop on ‘Peace Education’ for the youths of Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Assam recently at Agency for Integrated Development Action (AIDA) complex, Dimapur.

The natives of the north–eastern states of India have, for decades, faced eco–socio–political challenges, in spite of the region being rich in bio, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity. It is reported that ethnic conflicts, insurgency, infrastructural underdevelopment and intra–tribal strife have prompted the local youth to seek self–determination.

In this regard, to direct the youth to creative thinking and peace oriented alternatives in addressing conflict situations, the Church has taken up a leading role and is being assisted by several resourceful persons like Ramesh Prakashvelu and Varghese Chakumuti Oomen from Henry Martyn Institute (HMI): International Centre for Research, Interfaith Relations and Reconciliation, Hyderabad and Sundeep Toppo from Tezpur a core team member of peace trainers of NERYC.