Looking Back: Reflection on the School of Peace Program

I feel very happy and thankful I attended the School of Peace program for 50 days, organized by the Interfaith Cooperation Forum with the India Peace Centre, in Nagpur India. This program is very special for me because I learned many new things about peace, religion, and how to live together with love and respect. The opening ceremony was a very good start. I felt excited to meet people from different backgrounds. The team-building exercises helped us to know each other and become friends. It was a good way to begin the program.

We learned about different religions like Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, and Bahai.  I realized that people fight because of misunderstanding, not because of religion. I understood that many things hinder peace, such as hatred, violence, and selfishness. We learned different tools to analyze conflict and how to transform it towards peace. The session on misunderstandings in families and between countries showed me how small problems can grow big if we don’t talk and solve them. The training on conflict transformation, negotiation, mediation, and reconciliation was very useful. I learned that listening to and understanding the other person is very important in solving problems.

One of my favorite sessions was about theatre and how it helps to promote peace. Acting and storytelling can send powerful messages about unity and love. We also talked about globalization and the climate crisis. I learned that peace is not just about no war, but also about caring for nature. The topics of Anthropocene, ecofeminism, and environmental peacebuilding were new to me, but they made me think about how humans are hurting the Earth. The trip to Tadoba Tiger Conservation Area was very nice. I saw how nature and animals are connected to peace.  One very important session was on human dignity and the fullness of life. I learned that all people deserve respect, no matter their gender, religion, or background. The discussions on sexuality, gender justice, and LGBTQI struggles opened my mind. I understood that everyone has the right to love and be accepted. We also talked about globalization and its impact on migrant women. It was sad to learn how many women suffer because of economic and social problems. The sessions on news writing, photojournalism, and social media were valuable. I learned how to share peace messages through writing and pictures. The visit to Butibori helped us see real-life challenges faced by people. The session on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) was helpful. It taught me how to express my feelings without hurting others.

Finally, we had a proposal presentation where we shared our ideas. The feedback and criticism helped us improve. SMART objectives and methodology sessions helped us understand how to plan and achieve our goals. The session on interfaith peace education showed me that learning about different religions can bring people closer. The 

The closing ceremony is emotional. I felt sad because the program was about to end, but also happy because I learned so much. I made good friends and new memories. This program changed my way of thinking. I understand peace is not just about no fighting, but about love, respect, and justice. I will try to use everything I learned to make my community better.