South Asia Newsletter 2 Summer 2014

WHAT WE DO “We refuse to accept what is, when we know what can be …”

Founded in 1993 by journalist John Wallach, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to inspiring and equipping new generations of leaders from regions of conflict with the relationships, understanding, and skills needed to advance lasting peace.

Seeds of Peace has set a standard in international peace-building by providing exceptional young people and educators from regions of conflict with an otherwise impossible opportunity to meet their historic enemies face-to-face at its International Camp in Maine.

There are now over 5,000 Seeds and Educators who prove that solutions exist, peace is possible, and there is reason to have hope for a better future.

Seeds of Peace has created a network of motivated change-makers that spreads across 27 countries around the world where year-round local programs are conducted that focus on the core leadership capacities needed to advance peace.

Our Seeds and Educators are at the heart of everything we do, as it is their realities and futures that are most affected by the conflicts that define their lives. They hold a wide range of beliefs and opinions on how to end the conflicts within and between their societies.

Their common ground, however, is the belief in and commitment to dialogue and informed leadership as the basis for meaningful change and the most effective tools in the pursuit of peace.

INSIDE South Asia Programs Director’s Note

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Meet Pakistani Program Director Imran Khan

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Media Literacy Workshop

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Habitat for Humanity

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Afghanistan-Pakistan Video Conference

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GATHER 2015 | Dead Sea, Jordan

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Camp Preparation in South Asia

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Speaker Series

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Coming Soon: Bridges to Peace 2014

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Contributors

23 Seeds of Peace South Asia Homestays 2011

DIRECTOR’S NOTE Dear Seeds and Supporters, This year marks the 22nd year of our International Camp in Maine, and the 12th since the launch of our South Asia program. To date, 5,353 Seeds and Educators have attended the Camp, and the subsequent follow-up regional programs, with the number expanding at the end of every summer session.

As you read this issue, the newest members of the Seed family will be reflecting on their Camp experience—recalling the sights, sounds, and conversations that took place in Maine. Getting us to this moment is a journey that our regional staff oversees.

In the months leading up to Camp, staff and Seeds play a key role toward selecting and preparing the incoming delegation that will travel to the United States. The selection process is multi-step toward ensuring the delegation is ready and prepared to attend Camp as a solid and cohesive group.

I take this time to welcome the newest South Asian Seeds into the family and to thank the staff, Seeds, and Educators who played a key role toward preparing this year’s delegation for what will likely be a life-changing experience.

Awista Ayub Director of South Asia Programs

MEET THE PAKISTANI PROGRAM DIRECTOR Imran Khan is a youth activist, as well as the newly appointed Director of Programs for Seeds of Peace in Pakistan. Although Imran has had the opportunity to interact with many Seeds, staff and supporters through his work with the organization, he has yet to be introduced to a large portion of the Seeds of Peace family. For that reason, we took this opportunity to ask Imran a few questions about himself, his journey before joining Seeds of Peace, and his experience with the organization thus far.

Q

Which aspect of Seeds of Peace, as an organization, interested you the most?

A

There are too many aspects which not only inspired me to work with Seeds of Peace, but which have given me new aspiration to work more closely with young people of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan.

The most important aspect for me was working with young people from conflict areas as I belong to a conflict region myself. To serve and work more closely with young people is especially important to me, as it is most often overlooked in social programs and policies.

Q

How has your experience been so far, working with Seeds? Have you ever been a part of an organization or program before where you’ve worked with people from this age group? How is it different or similar to working with Seeds?

A

I can’t translate the joy of my work up until now with Seeds into words—each Seed is not only fully committed to the cause, but takes responsibility for it. They listen with patience and respect to other opinions— these are amazing leadership skills at such a young age.

Before joining Seeds of Peace, I 6

had worked with this age group, but the experience was quite different—we often organized sessions, but we were not fully reaching out to them. However, the beauty of working here is that we stay connected to each other, and Seeds participate in different events—locally, regionally, and internationally. The work the Seeds are undertaking on their own has not only inspired me, but really motivated me to do more.

Q

How has your definition of peace transformed over the years and how does it contrast with the way Seeds of Peace perceives the concept?

My definition of peace was always based on the absence of war and violence. Over the years, I have realized that peace can only be achieved through legislative changes. I was always influenced by the idea that policy making and discussion on legislative level can move the agenda of peace forward. But to be honest, I have realized in a few months of working with Seeds of Peace that peace grows through people and building the skills of young people and bringing people together from areas of conflict—that this transformation has potential to also lead to changes on a legislative level. In my opinion, the absence

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of war can only be achieved through peaceful people-to-people contacts, building stronger social bonds and respecting one anothers opinions and religions. It is what I have learned and what I am working towards with Seeds of Peace, and to me this concept can help us in achieving a more tolerant and peaceful world.

Being a Seeds of Peace program director involves a lot of interaction with Seeds and Staff from other countries where Seeds of Peace programs are active. How would you describe your experience of working with people from across the border, especially from neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and India?

Q

I would say that I was looking for an opportunity to work with our neighboring countries, especially Afghanistan and India. I was aware of the political, social and economic situation of these countries as I have interacted with young people through the platform of the Swedish Institute’sYoung Connectors of the Future Programme, and I have met many Indian and Afghan activists in different international events before joining Seeds of Peace.

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The job, I suggested, would be a great opportunity for me to strengthen my network by interacting more with young people and staff members on these important issues. My aim is to introduce many Afghan and Indian guest speakers to our Seed community— inspiring people who are doing extraordinary work in our neighboring countries. I am not only excited to use this position for the issues pertaining Peace in South Asia, but will also be collaborating with different stakeholders to bring vast experience of different individuals to the Seeds of Peace community.

Q

What, in your opinion, is required to strengthen the peace process between South Asian countries in the current scenario? How do you think Seeds of Peace could contribute towards it?

A

People-to-people contact and listening to understand each other’s perspective is the greatest need of our time.

We are rarely given a chance to contribute to peace processes, so a sincere effort is needed in the current situation to bring together the voices of people and solve the issues with dialogue, not with force.

Seeds of Peace has already taken the initiatives, through which young people are not only listening to each other’s perspectives but passing the baton to other young people in their communities.

I think Seeds of Peace can further contribute by conducting some live TV shows from all three countries, where our Seeds can share and understand their opinion more— through this way more and more people can hear and see our work and will be part of our network to take the agenda forward for lasting peace in South Asia.

Q

How do you envision Seeds of Peace programming in Pakistan? What is something new that you’d like to introduce into the current program?

provincial forums (provincial leaders summit), weekly study circles, youth peer education on peace, guest speaker series and peace arts.

Q

Is there a message you’d like to give to the Seeds of Peace family and our supporters?

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There are many opportunities out there, but some opportunities are life changing experiences. The best leaders are those who take advantage of these opportunities and convey the same spirit to other young people around them.

Be sincere: learn, stay connected, and serve your people!

A

The current programs are greatly anticipated and many young people are taking benefits out of these local programs.

However, I would like to introduce several new programs, like online courses, peace

SEEDS OF PEACE SOUTH ASIA NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014

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CRITICAL MEDIA LITERACY WORKSHOP MUMBAI | When the initial invites for the Critical Media Literacy Workshop were sent, few knew what was meant by the term ‘media literacy’.

Entering the event room, Mansi Panjwani, the program facilitator, greeted each participant with a warm smile, and initiated the program with icebreaking activities.

participants. The way Mansi called them “commitments” and not “rules” was admirable, and participants knew it was up to them to have a good time.

One of the purposes of the workshop was to find a connection between media and peace. Half the group was given the task to graphically At the beginning of the pro- represent ‘media’, and the other gram, the group made some half was asked to do the same for general commitments that en- peace. After this, the participants sured that the discussion would compared the two to find proceed smoothly, and to build similarities and establish a a sense of trust between the connection between peace and 8

media. Through this exercise, the hidden link between media and peace became more prominent.

Mansi explained how media subconsciously influences our minds, and after numerous discussions the group concluded that media can come in any form, from an advertisement, to a news channel, to a person passing on information through word of mouth. Participants further explored ads that either promoted a stereotypical massage, or objectified men or women, followed by a discussion of how viewers might perceive these messages.

participants created their own superheroes, which like Spiderman and Iron Man, were heroic and were portrayed as brave, but also had more human qualities. By roleplaying their superhero alter egos, participants showed that heroes come from many different backgrounds and have unique stories. It showed that everyone can be a hero in their own way, helping others and lending a hand to those in need.

media issues. The activities were fun and engaging. Participants can now question and critique what audience the media is targeting, how different people react uniquely to media messages, and from whose perspective the story is being told. They can now distinguish between facts and opinions, and analyze the stereotypical ideas that the media can sometimes purvey.

Overall, the Critical Media Literacy workshop provided a new perspective through which to To further explore stereotypes, view media and peace-related

- AnĂ inah and Aanya (Indian Seeds, 2014)

Distinguishing between fact and opinion in media messages was another integral part of the workshop. At first what seemed simple became extremely difficult as the group realized how opinions can be embedded into the facts, especially in movie reviews and critical commentaries. Critics want the reader to think in a certain manner, and to subconsciously form the same opinions. Composers of media messages sometimes use these techniques to promote their products, but these messages can be stereotypical at the same time.

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INDIAN SEEDS AND SUPPORTERS BUILD HOMES IN KARJAT On May 3, 21 Seeds, staff and supporters from Mumbai went on a day-long journey to the remote areas of Karjat to participate in Habitat for Humanity Youth Build 2014. The excitement levels were soaring as for many Seeds, this was a new experience. Seeds had heard about Habitat for Humanity from older Seeds. The entire 2013 Indian Delegation was present at the event despite the early start to the day. Delegation leaders, parents, and non-Seeds attended this workshop as well.

After being in a cool air-conditioned bus for three hours, Karjat felt like a furnace. Participants were divided into groups and assigned houses to paint.

We were given gloves, paint, paintbrushes. We began paint10

ing and soon enough there was a friendly competition between boys and girls to see who would finish painting their wall first. The girls won in the end, of course.

As expected, it was a hot and tiring day, but a fun time was had by all despite the fatigue.

At first, some participants might not have realized the importance of the work we did with Habitat for Humanity; for some of us, we were just painting houses. But when the owner of the house came and said to us, “Now my house is a home�, we were able to see that the work we were doing, however small it seemed to us, it was very important to the people who would one day live in the house. Though we thought we were just painting them a

house, they saw that we were giving them a home. Everyone was impacted by the discussion with the owner of the house.

We were giving someone a new life in our own small way.

We painted all day standing on tables, ladders and whatever we could find. Although we paused occasionally to flick paint at one another, we got the job done. Even though it was a day that ended with us feeling tired, hungry and dirty, I would do it again in a heartbeat. If anyone ever asks you if you would like to take part in Habitat for Humanity, I only have one bit of advice I can give you: say yes!

- Raeka (Indian Seed, 2013)

AFGHAN, PAKISTANI SEEDS HOLD DIALOGUE VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE Over 20 Pakistani and Afghan Seeds gathered for a video conference on June 20 to discuss the dynamics and framework of the Taliban, the recent peace talks and resulting Waziristan Operation in Pakistan, as well as the Afghan elections and hopes for the new government.

Both sides made considerable attempts to understand the current situation in their respective countries.

The event commenced with a presentation by the Pakistani Seeds on Talibanization and the recent opera-

them. the role of the Afghan government to be in this situation.

Two Seeds, Noor and Anam, and Shams, a Peace Partner, The Pakistani Seeds pointed presented a detailed analysis out that Talibanization is a on the objectives of the Tali- mind-set that originated in Afban, and how they are dealt ghanistan to counter Soviet with on the Pakistani side. aggression, and spread to Pakistan where its aims changed.

This was followed by a question and answer session. The There were conflicting views Afghans were curious to know regarding the success of the operation—which where the Taliban originat- current ed from, why the Pakistani turned to military after atgovernment chose to launch tempts at peaceful talks failed. a military operation now, The Pakistani Seeds added whether the Pakistanis feel that an alliance with AfghanZarb-e-Azab would end suc- istan against such non-state cessfully, and what they expect actors would be beneficial. tion

carried

The roles reversed in the second half of the videoconference as the Afghan Seeds gave a presentation. The main issues presented by Afghan delegation included the recent election crisis as well as bilateral security agreement. The Afghan delegation expanded upon the current election, explaining that it is a big milestone for the Afghan people as well its international supporters. The election marks the first time that democratic power is being transferred from one president to the other.

The importance of Bilateral Security Agreement and what it meant for the Afghan people

against

was also explained. This issue has been very controversial in Afghanistan, because President Karzai did not sign the agreement despite pressure from the general public, who want security in their country and the region. For now, this agreement is being held up for the next president to sign.

After the presentations, the delegations had the opportunity to interact more by asking questions from the opposite side.

The meeting came to a close with each side hoping that events like this one should take place more often, as it brings

SEEDS OF PEACE SOUTH ASIA NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014

Seeds closer and keeps them motivated to be the global changemakers they ought to be.

“The conference call was very fruitful,” said Mustafa Nassery, the Afghan delegation’s country director, as he expressed his gratitude for such an opportunity. “We had an engaging and peaceful dialogue.”

“The Afghan Seeds liked the discussions very much and hope to have such great dialogue sessions in the future as well.”

- Anam (Pakistani Seed, 2013) & Jawed (Afghan Seed, 2010)

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RAHMY - EGYPT, 1994 DIRECTOR, GRADUATE PROGRAMS/ GATHER ORGANIZER We are very excited to be launching GATHER, a new Seeds of Peace initiative launching in 2015. Aimed at amplifying the impact of a growing network of changemakers, GATHER provides increased opportunities for leadership development through mentorship, training and networking; the creation of an annual grants program and the launch of a Seed Ideas & Action Summit featuring change-makers from the regions where we work.

From February 26 to March 1, 2015 we will be convening at the Dead Sea in Jordan for the inaugural summit: GATHER+962. We’ll be focusing on leaders engaged in social and business entrepreneurship, media and technology, and women’s empowerment and the role these fields play in social change and peacebuilding.

By attending, you will have the opportunity to meet with other like-minded people and network with investors, philanthropists, and representatives of leading social enterprise groups. You’ll also get to apply for grants to support your ideas and work and learn more about our leadership incubator program that will debut for select GATHER-ers in 2015. If you haven’t applied already you can still do by visiting our website: gather.seedsofpeace.org. We truly hope you will GATHER with us!

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SHANOOR - INDIA, 2003 JOURNALIST/ GATHER PARTICIPANT Shanoor is an Indian Seed who works in the field of media as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. She writes about a range of issues, including gender, health, urban development and arts and culture.

Growing up in Mumbai, Shanoor was constantly confronted with the deep inequality and injustice of Indian society. She works as a journalist so that she can listen to the stories of a wide range of people, and share them with audiences in India and across the globe.

Her experience at the Seeds of Peace International Camp, and especially the dialogue sessions she participated in, taught her to “actually listen to what somebody else was saying,” she said. “That experience of being challenged and being pushed is something that has carried me forward in everything I have done since Seeds of Peace.”

Following Seeds of Peace, Shanoor attended Brown University, where she studied International Relations.

She continues to write about the pressing challenges India faces, and says “The most important goal I have is to tell stories about marginalized communities, so that other people sit up and listen.”

GATHER | DEAD SEA, JORDAN

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan FEBRUARY 2015

ANEEQ - PAKISTAN, 2003 SOCIAL ENTREPRENUER/ GATHER PARTICIPANT

PARNIAN - AFGHANISTAN, 2003 WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT ADVOCATE/ GATHER PARTICIPANT

Since attending Camp, Aneeq has applied the lessons of tolerance and peacebuilding to his professional ventures. This commitment to connect with people has led to his work in the field of social entrepreneurship.

“Seeds of Peace made me more ambitious,” Parnian says. “I came out of Camp believing that I can change the world.”

In high school, Aneeq founded the Crescent Think Tank, a forum for discussion of current issues in society, and organized a dialogue on the Indo-Pakistani conflict. In 2011, in collaboration with three Pakistani Seeds, he co-founded Rabtt, a social enterprise that focuses on fostering critical thinking, creativity and tolerance among high school students.

Rabtt organizes three-week long summer camps for students from public and low-cost schools in Lahore. The camp connects students with mentors, thus bringing people together from various classes of the society.

Since his graduation from the Lahore University of Management Sciences, where he studied economics and political science, Aneeq has worked as a consultant specializing in non-profit management.

Aneeq recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University where he pursued a Masters in Public Policy and Management as a Fulbright scholar. Since then, he has returned to Pakistan to work in the Punjab province government.

This belief that she carried the strength to change the status quo led to her committment to women’s empowerment work in Afghanistan.

Parnian attended Phillips Exeter Academy and graduated from Wellesley College in 2010, where she double majored in Middle East Studies and South Asian Studies while learning Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu.

Currently, Parnian is the Advocacy Manager for Women for Afghan Women’s office in Washington DC. Previously, she worked at the Social Science Research Council in New York, and helped inform UN policies in the Middle East and North Africa with a focus in Syria.

She was a Program Officer for New York University’s Center for International Cooperation. In addition, she acts as a special adviser to the president of the Paula Loyd Foundation, and is a member of the Afghan Women’s Network.

Parnian maintains her involvement with Seeds of Peace through her membership in the Young Leadership Committee.

GATHER.SEEDSOFPEACE.ORG SEEDS OF PEACE SOUTH ASIA NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014

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CAMP PREP IN SOUTH ASIA As the second session of the Seeds of Peace International Camp 2014 draws closer, we take a look at how the three South Asian Delegations prepare for the three weeks that they will spend together in Otisfield.

IN PAKISTAN ...

A month left before Camp, the Pakistani delegation is pumped up with excitement. The campers are filled with curiosity and the PSs cant wait to have the mesmerizing Camp experience again.

but most importantly, they make ers are advised to do research on sure to have fun while planning it. the stance of the opposite sides of conflict so they are aware of “I can’t wait to do these steps on the opposing opinions at Camp. the Seeds of Peace stage,” said Asad Zameer, a 2014 camper. During these mock dialogue sessions, some of the campers repreThe delegation leaders give pre- sent the opposite side of the consentations and have discussions flict, which makes the discussion on history and politics of the sub- more productive and evaluative. continent with the campers to prepare them for the most important - Talha and Noor (Pakistani PSs, 2014) part of Camp—group dialogues.

The delegation leaders and the PSs prepare the future campers for the talent show and dialoge sessions.

For the talent show, the Pakistani Delegation prepares a presentation of their cultures through dance, music and clothing. New campers and PSs collaborate to construct dance The PSs conduct dialogue sessions steps. They try to do their best, among the campers. The camp-

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IN AFGHANISTAN ...

A few months ago, the Afghan Program Director began the search for the brightest students from schools all around Kabul for the 2014 summer session. As a part of the selection process, each applicant had to pass a written test and a group discussion before being called for an interview. After the interview, applicants were short listed to be a part of the 2014 Afghan Delegation.

nized for the selected Afghan campers to prepare them for Camp. The structure of these programs was inspired by the experiences and problems faced by Seeds from previous years. The 2013 Seeds did a commendable job organizing these sessions. They guided the 2014 campers by sharing their own experiences with them.

With the use of computer presentaSessions and programs were orga- tions, the 2013 Seeds explained

SEEDS OF PEACE SOUTH ASIA NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014

the mission of Seeds of Peace as an organization to the new campers, and the obligations of a Seed as a member of the Seeds of Peace family. Four Seeds from the 2013 delegation even formed a social media page where 2014 campers could ask questions and discuss any concerns they had.

- Mahbob and Marwa (Afghan PSs, 2014)

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IN INDIA ... tions about Camp life three months and it even seemed like the orienlater. This group has really formed tation session just wasn’t enough! strong bonds with each other.

The campers are always eager Earlier this month, parents and to hear more and more about other family members of the Camp—trying to extract every 2014 Seeds attended an orien- bit of information possible—but tation session at the American the best part is that no matter Consulate in Mumbai. The par- how much we tell them, we’ve ents were introduced to the work barely scratched the surface of Since their selection in April, the that the organization does, and what life at Camp is all about. campers have had ample time to were given details about Camp.

- Aziz and Karan (Indian PSs, 2014) get to know each other—from occasional snippets of formal interaction Many campers and parents took when they first met, to cracking jokes this opportunity to learn more about and indulging in infinite conversa- the program and ask questions, Excitement levels have hit the roof here in Mumbai. The 2014 Indian Delegation cannot wait to begin their journey to Camp. With a total of six history and current affairs sessions and ongoing dance practices, the campers have spent over three months in preparation for an experience of a lifetime.

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SPEAKER SERIES

EFFECTIVE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA LAHORE | On Saturday June 14, 2014 more than 40 Seeds, associate members and nonSeeds gathered in Seeds of Peace office for a Guest Speaker Session, part of a series of inspirational people around the world to share their experiences with our Seeds family.

The session was started by Pakistani Program Director Imran Khan and focused on the effective use of social media. The participants explored how different people are using social media in building social movements and speaking for the rights of those who are oppressed. One Twitter account can make a lot of noise for social change. Participants took keen interest was in the information on the revolution, as Imran added some points on different kinds of revolutions in the history. First, that everything changes, and second, that revolutionary 18

changes were hunter-gatherer to agricultural to industrial and now to digital. Participants agreed that digital activism is the key to building an international audience and making an impact on a bigger level. To see the impact of this digital activism, the guest speaker Aya Chebbi shared her practical experiences of using a blog for social change.

Aya Chebbi connected through a Skype call. She started her talk by introducing herself. Later, she quoted some of her writings and shared how her life was changed through social media.

She further added that the reality of social media today is that you can influence local, national and international audiences.

a global audience. Second, social media can target the international community as well as international human rights organization. Third, you can take your struggle from online to offline and there are many like-minded people who will work with you from online to offline at the grass-roots level.

She further added that she has been using the online forum only, and has influenced national and international audience through that medium.

At the end of the session, Seeds decided to have a collective voice for their interventions and She divided her talk into three different levels. First, social media activities online through the can do things faster, saving time hashtag “#SOPPAKISTAN.� and energy and reaching out to

Sharing knowledge, brainstorming ideas and discussing opinions on subjects of relevance to the modern society are one of the best ways to engage the youth in dialogue over problems in their local as well as the international community. It is Seeds of Peace’s core belief that dialogue can be effective in bringing about a sense of understanding and acceptance among the participants, and can help them explore perspectives other than the one they originally had about numerous topics. So to create the spark of interest for dialogue in the local youth of Indian and Pakistani communities, Seeds of Peace organized a speaker series. Experts from various field were invited to interact with students from India and Pakistan, which gave birth to some amazing discussions.

YOUTH IN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LAHORE | On Saturday, June 14, 2014, more than 35 Seeds, associate members and non-Seeds gathered in Seeds of Peace office for a Guest Speaker Session.

Ali Raza Khan started the session with his own story on how he was inspired, where he started his work, and how he founded YES-network Pakistan. He shared his experiences of working at the Family Planning Association of Pakistan, and that he was inspired by the great ideas from young people when he was involved in four provinces.

He resigned from his job and

started his own venture thinking session. that he would have a greater impact working with these young Daniyal, a Seed, commented, people.

“I think that was more sort of a ‘’complete session’’ with elHe defined social entrepreneur- ements of inspiration and moship and differences between tivation as well as information social enterprise and business regarding different aspects of enterprise. He also shared some social entrepreneurship, and stories of successful social en- how youth can jump into this terprises and linked it to some field with guidance about caof the initiatives taken under reer paths, etc.” the umbrella of YES-network Pakistan.

“So it is something which is really helpful for Seeds in differThere were many questions from ent aspects, and I believe that Seeds in clarifying the different such sessions and initiatives will concepts. At the end of the ses- broaden the scope of our operasion some of the Seeds spoke tions in the short-term as well as of their opinions regarding the in the long run.”

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UNITED NATIONS SESSION Over 20 youth organizations from different areas of Pakistan, including FATA and KPK, stepped away from their work on June 18 to take part in a groundbreaking event organized by the Punjab government in collaboration with the United Nations.

“Session for Youth” was held to show the international community the commitment of Pakistani youth toward youth polices and their concern for the betterment of youth around the country.

Ahmed Alhendawai, special envoy to Secretary General of UN, UN representatives and Punjab government officials opened the session with a discussion. A Punjab government official gave a detailed lecture on youth activities in Punjab, including sports events and other programs.

He stated that the youth of the country are actively taking part in positive projects and government is providing them with everything they need.

They also mentioned that the government has increased the budget for youth activities and UN is supporting us within the international community.

Alhendawai added that he was greatly inspired by what 20

the Pakistani youth and its government have done in the last two years in giving youth more opportunities. He stated that he was greatly concerned for young people who are working in far away regions of the country. Later, Alendhawi and other UN officials were given souvenirs by the Punjab government.

At the end, the youth were given a chance to speak directly to Alendhawi. Everybody introduced themselves and the organization they were representing in the session. They gave different suggestions about improving youth policy in Pakistan, including giving them a more stable platform to show their potential and empower them.

In an answer to a question, the Secretary for Youth said, “It’s the youth in the right direction, not the policy, which is required to help a country stand.”

As a whole, it was an informative, productive, and fruitful opportunity, and youth shared their concerns with the UN officials and Government.

- Hamza (Pakistani Seed, 2012)

BUILDING PEACE: INSIDE OUT Chintan Girish Modi, founder of the ‘Friendships Across Borders: Aao Dosti Karein’ initiative, conducted a workshop on the theme ‘Building Peace: Inside Out’ for Seeds and supporters. In an engaging and inspiring session, Chintan used a wide range of activities designed to guide the participants as they unlearned and relearned what they knew about the peace.

In one task, the students were asked to represent their view of peace in the form of words or sketches on a sheet of paper. Then, the participants were told to destroy each other’s papers.

The participants accepted destruction as a command and did not hesitate to tear down one another’s ideas and thoughts. No one recognized the significance of the action. When asked to rebuild an idea of peace from what was destroyed, the group realized the paper could not regain its original form. However, the recon-

structions were ingenious and demonstrated creative thinking.

This gave us a deep insight into how the human psyche is susceptible to the idea of destruction—this not only applies to activities like these, but also to real life conflicts. Through a simple symbolic activity, Chintan exposed that there is always a peaceful alternative to violent action.

The workshop brought out the problems that arise from stereotypes and generalizations, and the serious repercussions of judgments made from one-sided information.

“It was heartening to see the students putting forth their perspectives with confidence, and also showing the willingness to hear viewpoints different from their own” Chintan said after the conclusion of the session.

- Drumil (Indian Seed, 2013)

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BRIDGES TO PEACE 2014 JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER 2014 IN LAHORE, MUMBAI OR KABUL AS WE WALK TOWARDS A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD. TO PARTICIPATE CONTACT IKHAN@SEEDSOFPEACE.ORG (LAHORE), SGANGURDE@SEEDSOFPEACE.ORG (MUMBAI) MNASSERY@SEEDSOFPEACE.ORG (KABUL)

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THE CONTRIBUTORS

Aanya Indian Seed, 2014

AnĂ inah Indian Seed, 2014

Anam Pakistani Seed, 2013

Awista Director of South Asia Programs

Hamza Pakistani Seed, 2012

Drumil Indian Seed, 2013

Imran Director of Programs Pakistan

Jawed Afghan Seed, 2010

Karan Indian Seed, 2011

Mahbob Afghan Seed, 2013

Marwa Afghan Seed, 2012

Mallory Camp Program Associate

Noor Pakistani Seed, 2012

Raeka Indian Seed, 2013

Rona Intern at Seeds of Peace

Talha Pakistani Seed, 2012

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