Peace for the Next Generation
We have decided to devote most of our effort to projects designed to bring peace to our country. In most parts of the world, such efforts seem unnecessary, but in Pakistan, peace is not often taught. We are already in position for this task because of our work in the schools, factories, and communities. The proposed course of action is a strong commitment to our children. We think that by changing the direction of their upbringing from intolerance and violence into the ways of peace, we can change the country.
We have selected twenty schools in the Faisalabad region for intense exposure to peaceful living, schools where religious bigotry is strong. We want to introduce the notions of interfaith harmony, and conflict resolution where teaching of sectarian hate prevails. Our methods include joint activities among the sects of Islam, Christianity and other religions. We believe this proposed project can bring a new attitude of peace among differing sects and religions.
Description of the Peace Building Project
In all the selected schools, HDO will conduct Peace Seminars with handouts. There will be peace slogans, messages concerning peace, unity, and love. We plan to use audio-visuals, documentaries showing the pain and loss of lives caused by religious hate. Poster competitions will help students brainstorm about peace concepts. The photographs show where we are already using these methods on a smaller scale.
Peace walks, where banners made by the children are carried in public, will promote oneness with the world peace movement. These walks will also bring them closer to each other and create an environment of friendship among different sects. And there will be a Grand Peace Walk in Faisalabad involving all the schools in one big celebration.
We are planning three Peace Conventions—in Faisalabad, Chak Jhumra, and Toba Tek Singh to help students become friends, regardless of caste and religion. There will be speech competitions, a Peace Quiz and Peace Walks.
Every week, a session will be conducted in the classroom. A teacher (trained by HDO) will give a presentation on peace, interfaith harmony and conflict resolution, reinforcing the basic ideas of peace.
We think a good way to involve the children in what they have learned is through a Conflict Resolution Table. Children will sit down and talk about their problems with resolution as the goal.
Children will make peace symbols, theatre about peace, and in areas where Christians and Muslims live together, we plan to unite them in tree planting projects that will help the community in general. We will celebrate the religious events of all faiths together—Christmas, Eid–ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha and Easter.
Field trips for students and teachers will visit the centers working on peace and inter-faith harmony. They will meet workers there and allowed to ask questions.
In November of 2009 we began an ambitious peace effort entirely without funding. The Faisalabad Peace Youth Group Boy’s Wing (pictured below) is the first of such youth groups dedicated to peace. The vision behind this group is to create a peaceful world and teach tolerance and acceptance and to make them feel loved. We want the enthusiasm which these boys have to spread to other cities and villages in Pakistan, and then to Afghanistan and India also.
We have many more details of this important project ready for your consideration. Please request a copy of the entire proposal. If you have any questions or reservations about our legitimacy or organizational structure, I will be happy to address them. We are audited every year and are registered with government of Pakistan. We need your support for this important project. Thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
School Children Desiging Peace Slogans
Peace Walk
Students Singing a Peace Song
Youth Peace Meeting
A Peace Promise joined by HDO staff, students and teachers
The Faisalabad Peace Youth Group Boy’s Wing