Dimapur, Aug. 28 (EMN): The call for ‘strong leadership, initiation of changes and bridging the gaps to help the public voice heard’ was the unanimous opinion among the panelists during the consultative meet on “The role of civil society in peace building” organised by the Peace Channel, in collaboration with North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC) and North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) held on August 27 at Peace Centre, 7th Mile St. Joseph campus, Chümoukedima.
An update from Peace Channel stated that Rev. Dr. Mazie Nakhro, director of Bright Horizon in Chümoukedima; Doichong Phom, ambassador of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao from Longleng district and social and cultural secretary of Eastern Naga Women Organisation (ENWO); and Rev. Fr. Dr. Walter Fernandes, director of NESRC in Guwahati, Assam, spoke on the various aspects of peace-building as the panelists.
In his welcome address, Rev. Fr. Dr. CP Anto, director of Peace Channel and principal of NEISSR, spoke on the need to address conflict at all levels through an inclusive approach.
It stated that Dr. Mazie Nakhro has shared on the need of a strong centralised leadership with not only physical and political strength but also of moral strength. He has attributed divisions in Nagaland due to different level of crisis at the national, state and village levels. He stressed that solution could be found if there is a strong leadership with strong vision.
He also described the government, church, civil society and media as four pillars that could play different roles in peace-building in a society.
Doichong Phom emphasised on six core points which could make positive impact on the society and empower the people to speak up for their rights. While dwelling on the different forms and nature of violence faced by women, she called upon the organisers and likeminded organisations to initiate similar programme in each district to address the problems.
Dr. Walter Fernandes stressed that the role of civil society is to act as a bridge and help people to voice out their problem. He added that peace cannot be talked about without the people’s participation. He further highlighted on the need to create an atmosphere where there is absence of fear, to be strong, unity based on diversity, unity based on justice, unity based on pluralism and peace based on justice.
The panel discussion was followed by a group discussion among the participants on “Role of youth in bridging the gaps among Naga civil societies.”