WOMEN S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM WILPF DELHI BRANCH REPORT

Transcription

1 WOMEN S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM WILPF DELHI BRANCH REPORT South Asia s political history after World War II has been a chaotic one. The major problems of this region are authoritarianism, centralization of power, politics of statusquoism, politics of secularism, religious extremism, forces of ethnic groups, concentration of economic power into few hands and poverty of the masses.however, Pakistan and India share the same and common cultural history. Despite all the political differences, the citizens of both countries remain strongly interrelated and interconnected with each other. The two neighbouring countries not only share borders but also history, heritage and culture. Unfortunately these two countries due to various political and diplomatic reasons are now seen as arch rivals and always on the brink of a conflict, skirmish and war. This is the reason WILPF Delhi in

2 keeping with WILPF international s vision of a world free from violence and armed conflict, participated in the program called Ibadate Aman, an evening dedicated to peace through our shared cultural heritage and a peace bridge of music initiative (December-January, ). The internationally acclaimed singer Shafqat Ali Khan from Pakistan sang and rendered the poetry composed by Peace activist and civil servant Sandeep Silas from India. WILPF Delhi played an active role in organizing the event by mobilizing volunteers to promote the event, which saw the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India, Smt Ambika Soni as the chief guest. The program was attended by more than 100 people from Delhi and neighbouring region, was covered by the National Television broadcast channel Doordarshan.The minister also endorsed WILPF s philosophy of peace through dialogue and deliberations and an end to war. During February and April -2012,In two separate events WILPF-Delhi Branch president Shilpa Pandey was invited to speak as the chief guest at St Pauls School, New Delhi, a well known large public school. The school at both times organized events to spread awareness, educate and teach the high school students the importance of conflict resolution through peace and dialogue. The school also acknowledged the contribution of WILPF as an organization committed to achieving peace and development globally for last so many years. The principal of the school also a WILPF- Delhi member, Mrs Thomas talked about the role of women in decision making process and the work that WILPF has been doing to achieve the implementation of UNSCR In one of these events the students had to prepare and enact a model UN.These speaking engagements gave Shilpa

3 Pandey an opportunity to talk about the role of WILPF, with its consultative status to the UN, and role WILPF plays in monitoring the UN. The event was key as both the parents as well as the students attended this and WILPF Delhi had the opportunity to spread awareness about the various activities of WILPF both locally and globally. The United Nations volunteers and WILPF Delhi partnered to prepare a manual on volunteerism, to promote it amongst the youth and specially women. The back ground was the UN millennium development goals and how to achieve them. Volunteerism was discussed as a means to actively engage India s huge youth population and young women, so that through people s active participation we can realize the MDG s. WILPF Delhi specially focused on the goal #3 that is to promote gender equality and empower women and goal # 5 that is to improve maternal health.

4 The International School for Jain Studies, a non profit based in Delhi, working on teaching peace and Ahimsa, the principals of non violence partnered with the WILPF Delhi to teach concept of non violence and Ahimsa to various teachers travelling to India from the US as well as teachers from India (July August 2012). The purpose was to train the teachers on how to teach non violence to their students effectively and successfully. The various speakers talked about non violence from different religious perspectives. Non violence was discussed through the eyes of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Teachers were also trained on how to sensitize students on religious tolerance and accepting and appreciating diversity of caste, religion, race and also gender.wilpf Delhi had the opportunity to talk about the contributions of activists such as Vinoba Bhave and the Bhoodan movement an example of non violent activism of the recent times. WILPF-Delhi branch president Shilpa Pandey was invited by the various public schools in San Antonio, Texas as part of her travelling advocacy (March July 2013). She had the opportunity to talk to the high school students of San Antonio Independent school district about her involvement with WILPF, what WILPF is and what it does both internationally and nationally around the globe. The topic was how to create a culture and environment of peace in the wake of recent shootings at schools in various parts of America in rising cases of gun violence. WILPF s vision of challenging Militarism and investing in peace were highlights of the speech as WILPF approaches it centenary

5 celebrations. The discussion and debates followed after the speech and students asked pertinent questions. WILPF Delhi representative Shilpa Pandey also talked about WILPF s journey through the years, its activities in various parts of India and at the UN. Mahatma Gandhi s principles of ahimsa and non violence were also part of the discussions It was heart warming to listen to the young adults extending full support and solidarity and resolve to promote peace through non violent means after the speaking event.