Peace to the world

Manpriya Singh 

Talking about awareness somewhere points to the presence of ignorance. And this in 2015 doesn’t sound reassuring. Just when solutions should have given way, we are making everyone aware of the problems. The ongoing 10th Global Youth Peace Fest, an endeavour by Yuvsatta, brings along the young and the thoughtful, restless and provoking all under the same roof.

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Catch them young: Ediola Pashollori

As the first female Secretary General of World Assembly of Youth, Ediola Pashollori makes for an unlikely and encouraging combination of youth and wisdom. The position from where she could make a difference came but not without a fair share of hit and trails. 

“I have worked as a marketing manager, as a general manager and even as a nurse,” shares the law graduate from the UK and an Albanian citizen, while in Chandigarh for the peace fest. 

“Currently we are working with 114 countries and 21 issues related to youth.” Issues, which are unfortunately interconnected. “Education, health, unemployment, they are all interrelated. No wonder, any progress that is wholesome is going to work.”

Well, what currently plagues the region, is substance abuse. She advocates, “Start young. I would say knowledge of ill effects of substance abuse should start as early as primary school.” 

Meanwhile, she adds, “We have events every month in different parts of the world. Whereas we have policy making events thrice every year.”

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Gandhian principles: Bernie Meyer

It’s been ages since Bernie Meyer has been fondly referred to as The American Gandhi. 

Well, American on paper and Gandhi in spirit. “I get energized by the presence of young people. Because it is yet another opportunity for me to bring his message to the people who are going to make the world,” he begins on his presence at the occasion. 

Dressed in the characteristic white dhoti, round spectacles, jhola and stick; his influence is as apparent as it gets. “I was a Catholic priest and used to teach what Jesus taught us; which is to love thy neighbour, be a good Samaritan...I was young and idealistic and moved by Gandhi because he made a lot of sense,” shares the Olympia, Washington-based activist. 

The ethos of non-violence, truth and love continue to elude humankind till today and even more so.  Which is why, he shares, “His teachings are just as much and rather more relevant for today’s youth. If the policy makers and law enforcers stopped lying for political and economic gains, half the world problems would be taken care of.” 

Currently on a three-week long trip to India, he next moves to Nagpur. “I have learned a lot from India and been influenced by it too.”

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Towards development: Douglas Fabeke

Battling the vicious circle of unemployment and illiteracy is not an easy job. Nigeria-based Douglas Fabeke knows what it means to have both plaguing your nation. Sit down and stare at problems or stand up and work for solutions. 

“We are into youth empowerment but in a different dimension. We work with school graduates and provide them with vocational training,” he shares of his organization World Peace and Human Development Center, currently running out of one location in Nigeria. 

“My dream is to have a world development centre in Nigeria. I am looking for investors.” 

There is no parting ways without the essential message for youth, especially for those in developing nations. “Don’t wait for the government to empower you or to take action. Take a step and empower yourself.” 

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