Re-defining Peace Building

In the wake of our terrible loss of youth workers like Irfan Ali, I would like to emphasize one point. We have to re-define the concept of peace building. You need not wait for a conflict to erupt, then interfere and mediate and then say you are building peace. On the other hand, effective peace building is prevention of  violence and conflicts in whatever form. We don’t want to throw more martyrs to situations of fiery conflicts. Instead, we want to create an atmosphere of perennial peace and calm on the globe. That is why during TPA training we use the term ‘peace engineering’. Every Cooperation Circle of URI  is a peace centre in itself in its given locale, wherever it is. Therefore I agree hundred percent when our seniors say, growth and consolidation of our CCs are most important aspects before us. We used to dream about the planting of 1000 or 2000 CCs at some point. But somewhere we lost that thrust, which I feel is detrimental.

URI  should become a recognizable force in the world. For that we should be able to make its presence felt. If we can strengthen TPA, it can train hundreds of vibrant peace builders around the globe, who can avert violent situations to a great extent by strategically planning peace. With a thousand CCs to support them, URI will work wonders in creating cultures of peace, justice and healing.

Dr. Abraham Karickam