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Peace Conference 2005
Human Development Centre
Yaqub Hameed Hall, St Peter’s High School,
Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan
February 26, 27, 2005
Human Development Centre organized two days Peace Conference with the theme, “Promoting of Peace and Harmony in the Local Perspective from 26-27 February 2005 at St .Peter’s
High School. 150 people belonging to civil society, community organizations, Local Peace Committees, Women Peace Groups, Tehsil
Peace Council, District Peace Council and community leaders participated in this peace conference. The participants of the
peace conference were from the areas where HDC is active in three districts of Faisalabad, Toba
Tek Singh and Jhang. The purpose of the Peace Conference was to review situation, actions and initiatives taken by communities,
CBOs and HDC work on peace
and harmony and to devise a common plan of action to promote peace and harmony at the grassroots level. In the peace conference,
tableaus, songs and role play were presented. The peace conference was inaugurated with the colorful ceremony with peace balloons
and mime show and peace message was delivered on this beautiful occasion.
The resource persons
of the peace conference were Ashfaq Fateh Principal (St. Peter’s high school Toba Tek Singh) Peter Shehezad (AWARD,
Faisalabad),
Mr. Qamar Zaidi (journalist and Human Rights Activist from Jhang), Ms. Meena Munir (Women Rights Activist, Jhang) and Mr.
Aftab Mughal (Lahore). They spoke on the peace and harmony in the local perspective.
Mr. Atif Jamil Pagaan, deputy director of Human Development Centre presented the key note
address on the peace conference. At the end, Fr. Bonnie Mendes, Director HDC thanked the participants and invited the participants
to take part in the work done and will be done to promote peace and harmony at all levels.
In the peace conference, HDC drama team presented interactive theatre on Peace and Harmony focusing a
local conflict on the land. Peace Conference was started and closed with the
Tableaus presented by the school children from different areas.
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1. Peace Conference
Contents & Resource Persons
1. Peace and
Harmony Local perspectives (Peter Shahzad)
2. Peace Education
for the Social Harmony (Ashfaq Fateh)
3. Human Rights
and Peace Movement (Qamar Zaidi Coordinator HRCP, Jhang)
4. Ms. Meena
Munir (Jhang)
5. Mr. Aftab
Mughal (former Executive Secretary J&P, Multan)
In the peace conference following sessions were conducted
Session 1
Peace and Harmony
Local Perspective
What is peace and harmony in the local perspectives?
What are Problems and difficulties in promoting peace and harmony?
How we can promote peace and Harmony?
Session 2
Peace Education
for Social Harmony
Definition of Peace
Peace Concepts and terminologies
Peace Education for Social Harmony
Session 3
Human Rights and
Peace Movement
What are basic human rights? United Nations human rights charter
What are the forms of human rights violations?
How can we stop human rights violations?
Role of HR movement in promoting peace and harmony
Session 4
Women and Peace
Present Status of women in Society
Role of Women for promoting peace and harmony
Challenges for women in promoting peace
Plan of Action
In the last session of Peace Conference, the participants devised
a plan of action. The focus of the plan was to promote interfaith harmony through
HDC activities and programs.
Labor
Formation of Labor Unions
Attitudinal Change in the behavior
Social Security
Awareness programs for the workers rights and labor laws
Media
Women
Formation of Women Peace Group
Formation of Children
Participation of women in the decision making process at all
levels
Children
Promotion of Quality Education
Forming Children Peace Groups
Promotion of Values through games
Religious Minorities
Religious groups promote disharmony among people.
Conflicts resolution of the social and religious concerns
Celebrations and participation the religious and national events
Networks of organizations on Peace and harmony
Promotion of Values; love, Tolerance, reconciliation
4. Feedback
At the end of the peace conference, the participants gave their
feed back on the process, methodology, participation.
Mr. Finyas Paul, Vice president of
Peace Promotion Council from Gojra said that he is very happy to participate in the peace conference on peace and harmony.
“I never had such opportunity where I could learn about peace and harmony. It has broadened my understanding on social
issues and peace and harmony concept. I wish that these kinds of activities should be continued”
Miss Sana Mehnga, teacher Covent of Jesus & Mary said,
“I am lucky that I participated in the peace conference on peace and harmony. Although I am young but I wish to contribute
towards the betterment of the society.”
Nargas Bibi, said, I am thankful to HDC for the inviting me
to learn about peace and harmony. I did not know about peace and harmony. The very important thing that I have learnt from
the peace conference is that people are taking initiatives at their own level. This is very encouraging for us. I am impressed.
I wish that I could join in Women Peace Group and work for the promotion of peace and harmony.
Miss Razia Noreen, a Muslim young woman, said, “I have
learned a lot form this peace conference. I was of the view that wherever HDC shared with me and women in the sewing centres
about peace and interfaith harmony; it felt that they are intending to convert us to Christianity. But in the peace conference,
the way peace and interfaith harmony concepts are discussed it made me clear about the concept. And now I am more clear about
the concept. I got energy and I wish to work more and I will convince women to join women peace groups and take action to
bring about positive changes in the society.”
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