Peacebuilding and Leadership Training conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Promotion of Human Rights, Constitutional Values, Global Citizenship and Peace Building, Lakshmibai College, DU

- Sneha Raj and Shaivya Pathak

On April 5, 2025, Lakshmibai College, in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India, organized a one-day Peace and Leadership Training Program at Venue LT1 Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Themed "Empowering Youth as Peacebuilders," the program was coordinated by Dr. Kiran Varun under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Pratyush Vatsala, Principal, and Prof. Lata Sharma, Vice Principal. It was conducted by the Centre for Promotion of Human Rights, Constitutional Values, Global Citizenship and Peace Building.

The event aimed to foster leadership among students, promote peacebuilding, and encourage active youth engagement in the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. It brought together students, faculty, and guest speakers in a collective effort to build a more inclusive and harmonious society. 

Ms. Shaivya Pathak is taking a session on the concept of peace and peacebuilding

The program commenced with an insightful session by Ms. Shaivya Pathak, who introduced the vision, mission, and objectives of GPF India. She shared GPF India’s philosophy of “One Family Under God”, inspired by the Indian value of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, advocating for global unity, cooperation, and moral leadership. Her address laid the foundation for the day’s proceedings by emphasizing that peacebuilding is not the absence of conflict, but the active presence of empathy, responsibility, and cooperation. 

The second session on Peace and Conflict Resolution was led by Ms. Anjali Tyagi, where students learned about identifying, managing, and transforming conflicts in personal, social, and institutional spaces. The session was both engaging and reflective, providing students with valuable tools for promoting peaceful dialogue. Following this, an MCQ-based quiz was conducted to test and reinforce the students’ understanding of the peace and conflict concepts discussed during the session. The quiz added a fun and interactive dimension to the learning process, encouraging active participation and peer learning. 

Ms. Anjali Tyagi is taking a session on peace and conflict resolution

Later, in the session titled “From Local to Global”, Ms. Anjali Tyagi urged students to think beyond their immediate surroundings and recognize the impact of local peacebuilding initiatives on global progress. She encouraged them to embrace their roles as global citizens and take responsibility for fostering peace in both local and global contexts. 

A key highlight of the training was the case study activity held before the official formation of the Youth Peace Club. Students were divided into groups and assigned different stakeholder roles to analyze the issue of deforestation and the displacement of tribal communities due to the creation of national parks. This exercise promoted critical thinking and collaboration, while helping students explore the delicate balance between development, sustainability, and human rights. 

The official formation of the Youth Peace Club (YPC) was then announced by Prof. (Dr.) Pratyush Vatsala, Principal of Lakshmibai College, under the guidance of the faculty and in collaboration with GPF India. The YPC was introduced as a platform to foster moral leadership, critical thinking, and student-led peacebuilding initiatives. During the orientation, selected student members were welcomed and informed about their roles and responsibilities. 

Peacebuilding Quiz

Following this, Principal Prof. Pratyush Vatsala addressed the gathering, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the students' enthusiasm. She emphasized the vital role of youth in building a peaceful and inclusive India and encouraged them to lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose. Her address inspired students to become active changemakers and ambassadors of peace. 

The concluding session, “Viksit Bharat 2047: Plan for Further Action,” was conducted by both Ms. Shaivya Pathak and Ms. Anjali Tyagi, linking the day's learnings to India's broader development goals. The program ended with closing remarks and certificate distribution by the principal, who congratulated all participants and urged them to carry forward the spirit of peace, service, and leadership. 

This training marked a significant milestone in empowering youth to become thoughtful, responsible citizens contributing to a peaceful, inclusive, and developed India by 2047.