National Peace Convention, Dimapur

Dimapur Peace Declaration 2016

We, 210 persons from 16 states of India, who are committed to promote peace, participated in the second National Peace Convention held at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur, Nagaland from January 30 to February 01, 2016. The convention was organized by National Peace Movement in collaboration with Rotary International Dist. 3040 and 3240, Peace Channel, North East Institute of Social Science and Research, Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) and other NGOs. Participation of 36 persons who had taken part in the first National Peace Convention at Indore added richness to the Second National Peace Convention. For those who came from outside North Eastern states it was a golden opportunity to understand the reality of the region, particularly of Nagaland.

During the three days of the convention, we listened to the sharing by many renowned persons from various fields on different dimensions of peace. They include Sri. Tushar Gandhi, Sri. Apok Jamir, Rtn. Cahndu Kumar Agarwal, Dr. James Thoppil, Fr. Varghese Alengadan, Dr. CP Anto, Mr. Paul Mesquita, Sri. Niketu Iralu, Dr. Wati Aier, Sri. PV Rajgopal, Ms. Anuradha Shankar, Dr. Jill Carr-Harris, Pro. Lanunungsang Ao, Sri. Khekiye K. Sema (IAS), Akum Longchari, Tiamenrenia Monalisa Changkija, Bishop Chacko, Dr. Jacob Kani, Dr. Kathryn Johnson Bueno De Mesquita, Mr. K. J. Alphonse, Mr. Kishor Dass, Sr. Bernardo D’Souza, Jacob Peenikaparambil and  Jeffery C. Pereira.

We reflected and discussed on peace from different perspectives such as:

  • Mahatma Gandhi as an Apostle of Peace and Non-violence
  • Peace building in International Perspective
  • Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Context of North East India
  • Human Development and Promotion of Peace
  • The correlation between Rights and responsibilities from Gandhian Perspective
  • Economic Empowerment and Justice to the Marginalized
  • Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Socio Political Scenario of India
  • Role of Media in Peace Building
  • Sharing by individuals and organizations involved in peace building

As a result of listening, reflecting and discussing we are confirmed in our conviction that peace building is an urgent need and we have resolved:

  1. To create awareness about the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi for peace, forgiveness and harmony by organizing workshops and seminars, especially in schools and educational institutions, promoting reading the writings of Gandiji and about Gandhiji and showing movies and documentaries on Gandhiji.
  2. To be proactive in the situations of conflicts by taking initiative in bringing the conflicting groups for dialogue and reconciliation.
  3. To organize peace clubs among the students and youth and promote peace movements like Universal Solidarity Movement, Peace Channel in order to prevent conflicts.
  4. To promote the Indian ethos of pluralism by celebrating the festivals of different religions, encouraging learning the basics of all religions and cultures, organizing inter-faith dialogues and inter-religious prayers, promoting cultural exchanges and promoting the values of the Indian Constitution as enshrined in the preamble.
  5. To contribute a share of our time and money to support the needy and the common good of the society and to educate the students and youth about the need for paying back to the society by contributing to the common good.
  6. To respond to the negative news in the media by writing letters to the editor and articles in the newspapers and magazines.
  7. To appeal to the Central government and the various ethnic groups of the North Eastern Region to enter into dialogue by avoiding the use of force and violence to resolve the problems. The Central government may abolish the Armed Forces Special Power Act.
  8. To request the central and state governments to involve the local self governments, Community Based Organizations and social activists in the process of economic planning in view of making development inclusive, so that the poor and marginalized will equally get the benefits of economic growth. The government may increase the allocation for providing quality education to all, especially to the poor through the government schools and skill training to the youth.
  9. To appeal to the Education Department of the Central and state governments to make non-violence and forgiveness a component of all subjects.
  10. To appeal to the media to highlight the positive and proactive actions taking place in the society and to minimize the reporting on crime and violence. The colleges of journalism shall impart value based training in Journalism.

We commit ourselves to implement these resolutions as a mark of our respect to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and our commitment to become promoters and builders of peace.

Dimapur,                                                                                                                         February 01, 2016

Highlights of Dimapur National Peace Convention

Venue: Hotel Acacia, Dimapur

Dates:  Nagaland from January 30 to February 01, 2016.

Organizers: National Peace Movement in collaboration with Rotary International Dist. 3040 and 3240, Peace Channel, North East Institute of Social Science and Research, Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) and other NGOs.

Chief Guest of Inaugural Session: Shri. C. Apok Jamir, Parliament Secretary, Tourism, Govt. Nagaland

Main Topics for Deliberation

  • Mahatma Gandhi as an Apostle of Peace and Non-violence:
  • Peace building in International Perspective:
  • Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Context of North East India
  • Human Development and Promotion of Peace:
  • The correlation between Rights and responsibilities from Gandhian Perspective
  • Economic Empowerment and Justice to the Marginalized
  • Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the Socio Political Scenario of India
  • Role of Media in Peace Building
  • Sharing by individuals and organizations involved in peace building