URI, WNRCRT Intensify peace advocacy, coexistence in Chinsapo
The event's theme was "Using Youth Talents to End Religiously Motivated Acts of Violence and Conflict."
Malawi: The Wildlife and Natural Resources Conversation and Rehabilitation Trust (WNRCRT), in collaboration with the United Religious Initiative (URI), the Lilongwe Cooperation Circle, and the Chinsapo Youth Network, organised an Interfaith Youth Peace Building and Coexistence Event on Saturday at Chinsapo in Lilongwe.
The event brought together young people from various cultural and religious backgrounds to showcase their talents and preach messages of peace, tolerance, and coexistence.
The event's theme was "Using Youth Talents to End Religiously Motivated Acts of Violence and Conflict."
WNRCRT Programs Coordinator Alexander Zenasi stated during the event that the initiative seeks to change the mindset of youth who are mostly used as agents of violence to become responsible citizens in their communities.
He said: "We thought of bringing together different young people from the tribes of Chewa, Ngoni, Yao, Lomwe, and Tumbuka, among many others, and giving them a platform to showcase their artistic cultural performances centred on the key message of peace, tolerances, and co-existence."
"As you may be aware, Chinsapo is one of the areas where cases of socio-cultural and religious conflicts have been a challenge, and we would like to take a holistic approach to end the vice by engaging the young peace as key agents of peace.”
Group Village Headman Naison, who was also the guest of honour, expressed gratitude to WNRCRT and URI for their intervention, hoping that it would aid in the resolution of cultural and religious-related violence and conflicts in the area.
"I am grateful to the organisations for organising today's remarkable event, which brought Christians, Muslims, Rastafarians, and Traditionalists together to promote peace and unity despite our social and cultural differences,” he said.
"We need love among us, we are all one, and let us join hands to civic educate our children in both communities and schools about the importance of living together in peace and harmony.”
In his remarks, United Religious Initiative (URI) National Coordinator for Malawi Geofrey Manasseh stated that gathering youth to showcase their various traditional dances, drama, and poetry will aid in the resolution of conflicts and violence in the area.
He went on to say that peace and unity are essential for promoting the country's socioeconomic development.
"We need more events like this for different people to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences in order to promote peace and understanding," Manasseh said.
One of the youth members in the area, Gloria Makhonje from Lomwe culture, commented on the development, saying she has learned a lot from the performances displayed during the day on how to co-exist with fellow youth from different faith and cultural backgrounds.
She urged more such interventions in the community in order for peace to reign.
The project is funded by the United Religious Initiatives (URI) Seed Grant Initiative, a global grassroots interfaith network that cultivates peace and justice by encouraging people to bridge religious and cultural divides and work together for the good of their communities and the world.
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