Training Programme in Conflict Analysis and Peace Building Comes to a Close with a Valedictory Function

Violence per se is not negative. Government, media, academia and society must act to address the issues of injustice and violation of rights. These views were expressed by rights activists, members of the academia and other participants at a Valedictory Function here at Dayar-e-Mir Taqi Mir on 21 December 2012.

The function was jointly organized by Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, JMI and Rotary Education Foundation, Rotary International District 3010 after a three week training programme in Conflict Analysis and Peace-Building. About a dozen participants from different parts of the country earlier visited Manipur to assess the ground realities of conflict in the northeastern state of India that has for long been wrought with conflict and violence. The participants shared their views, field experiences and promised to educate and train others how to deal with conflict situations.

Speaking on this occasion C.A. Shang, who participated in the field trip said that conflict was a natural process in society and the absence of it was abnormal. Conflict thus is not a problem. Problem arises when conflict becomes violent, he said. He suggested that conflict must be dealt with by non-violent means. Noting his observations from the Manipur trip, Shang said that the conflict in the state arose only when something went wrong and people felt that they had “identity problem” and they were feeling insecure.

Sudip Tripathi, another participant and a journalist by profession said that the issue of conflict was very complex and State forces needed to be sensitized about gender and human rights issues. Regarding Manipur conflict, Worngam Ningshen noted that the source of problem there was the demand for exclusivity where every ethnic group wanted exclusiveness.

S.M. Rashid, Pro-Vice Chancellor, JMI maintained that the first important thing to understand before dealing with any conflict was to identify the “genesis of the problem”. About prospects of peace, Sushil Gupta, former Director of Rotary International said that peace is possible for which dialogue is needed. Once we have this feeling, we can deliver peace, he said.

Dr. Tasneem Meenai, Officiating Director of Nelson Mandela Centre, Atul Dev, Project Coordinator of Rotary Education Foundation and other Rotarians exchanged their views and suggested to conduct more such training programmes in future.

Prof. Sujit Dutta, Dr. Tanweer Fazal, Dr. Kaushikee, Dr. Mohammad Sohrab, Dr. Rahat Hasan and other faculties and students of Jamia and representatives of Rotary Education Foundation were present in the programme. Participation certifications were given at the end.