INVINCIBLE: Peace and Conflict Resolution for Young Adults

The youth wing of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) brought its peace and conflict resolution program to Mumbai, targeting young leaders at Pramod Ram Ujagar Tiwari Saket Institute of Management (PRUTSIM). The December 14 event, called “INVINCIBLE,” engaged participants aged 18-25 in conversations about peace-building and understanding conflict.

Janhvi Gupte kicked off with an ice-breaker that got participants talking openly about tough issues. This approach worked especially well, creating an atmosphere where students felt comfortable discussing conflict and its resolution.

Aayush Soni followed with an overview of IARF and RFYN’s work worldwide, showing students how they could get involved in peace-building efforts.

The program took a serious turn as participants explored the consequences of conflict, examining the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombing. Gupte’s presentation on history’s deadliest wars brought home the reality of conflict, while photos of Hiroshima created a lasting impact. The story of Sadako Sasaki, a survivor who became a symbol of peace, resonated deeply with participants.

Discussions then moved to practical applications, exploring how peace affects daily life. Participants examined personal, social, and environmental aspects of peace-building, looking at concrete ways to resolve conflicts in their own lives.

The program wrapped up in PRUTSIM’s library, where participants viewed posters from Japan showing the impact of nuclear weapons. This exhibition drove home the real consequences of war.

In a spontaneous show of commitment, participants took a peace pledge, promising never to support nuclear weapons. Their engagement and feedback showed the program hit its mark.

The event ended with Immanuel Manish Daniel encouraging participants to join RFYN’s peace efforts. PRUTSIM’s support, including presenting appreciation certificates to facilitators, demonstrated their commitment to peace education.

INVINCIBLE at PRUTSIM showed that young people engage enthusiastically with peace initiatives when presented in relevant, interactive ways. The participants’ response suggests a growing awareness of the importance of conflict resolution skills among future leaders.

Empowering Foundations: Advancing Equality and Opportunity through Rural Engagement

In a significant demonstration of international interest in rural India’s development initiatives, David Moss, Senior Vice President and Head of Trading Compliance at a leading New York-based investment management company, conducted an extensive two-day visit to various IARF-RFYN projects in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, during October 19-20, 2024. The visit showcased remarkable achievements in youth empowerment, interfaith harmony, and women’s economic development.

Youth Empowerment and Skill Development

At the heart of the visit was a compelling session at Sony Computer Education centre, where Moss engaged with RFYN, aspiring professionals, sharing invaluable insights about global finance career opportunities. Moving beyond traditional accounting roles, he emphasized critical skills needed in today’s financial sector, including professional email communication, financial fundamentals, and proficiency in digital tools such as Excel and Google Sheets. Moss particularly stressed the importance of staying informed about global financial trends. 

The impact of his guidance was evident in the enthusiastic response from participants, who presented him with a hand-sketched portrait as a token of their appreciation.

Interfaith Harmony and Educational Initiatives

The visit highlighted significant strides in promoting interfaith harmony through education and cultural exchange. Moss visited Anjuman English Medium school, An Urdu school which stands as a beacon of religious integration. The school’s unique approach ensures children aged 5-13 years from various religious backgrounds study together, fostering early understanding of religious diversity. Despite language barriers, students made commendable efforts to interact with Moss in English, demonstrating their commitment to global communication skills.

Further emphasizing the interfaith aspect, Moss visited a local Jain temple, where Mr. Deepak raj Jain provided insights into Jain philosophy and traditions. This cultural exchange exemplified the program’s commitment to promoting understanding across different communities.

Vocational Training and Career Development

A significant portion of the visit focused on RFYN’s innovative ‘Careerfirst’ initiative, which bridges the gap between underprivileged youth and employment opportunities through government-sponsored vocational training. Moss visited several prestigious training centres, including CII (Confederation of indian industries), ATDC (Apparel Training & Design Centre), and Ashok Leyland’s training facility in Chhindwara. During these visits, he engaged directly with students, learning about their economic backgrounds and aspirations. His encouragement to complete their courses and pursue career goals resonated strongly with the trainees.

Women Empowerment and Rural Economic Development

In Bamhni village near Tamiya block, situated 95 km from Chhindwara, Moss witnessed the transformative impact of RFYN India’s women empowerment projects, which have shown remarkable success over the past 7-8 years. The village, predominantly tribal and challenged by work opportunities, has been uplifted through a collaborative initiative involving Cosmo foundation, Sony Computer Education and RFYN.

The installation of Chironji de-shelling machines has created sustainable livelihood opportunities for women’s self-help groups. This initiative processes seeds from the Buchanania lanzan plant, a high-value dry fruit with strong export demand, particularly in Gulf countries. Villagers shared how this mechanization has provided an additional benefit to their economic conditions.

Leadership and Recognition

During his visit, Moss met with IARF Chhindwara Branch members to learn about the organization’s history and development in the region. The success of these various initiatives is attributed to a dedicated team of professionals, including Mr. Manoj Soni (Secretary, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mr. Aayush Soni (RFYN Representative and VP, IARF), Mr. Immanuel Manish Daniel (Senior Member, IARF), Dr. SA Brown (Ex. Council Member, IARF), Dr. KK Shrivastava (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ansari (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ratnesh Jain (IARF Member), Mr. Vishwesh Chandel (Member, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mrs. Kirti Soni (Director, Sony Computer Education), and Ms. Janhvi Gupte (Ex. VP and RFYN Representative, IARF).

Future Implications

“The synergy between various stakeholders – from government agencies to educational institutions and community organizations – is what makes these initiatives truly successful,” 

Moss observed during his concluding remarks. The visit highlighted how targeted interventions, when properly executed, can create sustainable change in rural communities while promoting education, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony.

The success of these programs, particularly in Bamhni village and through the Careerfirst initiative, demonstrates the effectiveness of RFYN’s approach in identifying and bridging gaps between job seekers and employers. This model of rural development, combining skill development, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony, could serve as a template for similar initiatives across rural India.

The comprehensive nature of David Moss’s visit not only highlighted the impact of RFYN’s initiatives but also strengthened the connection between global expertise and local development efforts in rural India, setting a promising precedent for future international collaborations in rural development.

Sony Computer Education and GVAN Celebrates World Environment Day

World Environment Day 2024

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the international organization IARF, in collaboration with the esteemed district institution Sony Computer Education and GVAN, a dedicated entity for environmental protection and conservation, organized a transformative tree plantation event in the garden at the district hospital premises.

This remarkable initiative was spearheaded by IARF Vice President Aayush Soni and Manish Daniel. Vishwesh Chandel, President of GVAN Samiti, underscored the urgent need to address the global warming crisis. He passionately emphasized that planting and protecting trees is not just an option but a necessity for a sustainable future. He called upon everyone to pledge to plant and nurture at least one tree, thus becoming active guardians of our planet. During this inspiring event, saplings of Amaltas, Christmas Tree, Bael, and Banyan were lovingly planted.

In light of the ongoing water crisis and the sudden increase in temperatures causing severe heat waves, Chandel highlighted the critical importance of such initiatives. Planting trees is a powerful act of hope and resilience, providing much-needed shade, enhancing air quality, and preserving our precious water resources.

The event was graced by the presence of Mrs. Kirti Soni and Manoj Soni, Directors of Sony Computer Education, along with Manish Daniel and our GVAN members.

Our collective progress empowers us to proudly say that we are no longer just planting trees or saplings; we are cultivating vibrant gardens. This transformation stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we are making a profound impact, turning our vision of a healthier planet into a beautiful reality. Let us continue this journey with renewed vigor and dedication, knowing that every tree we plant today is a gift to future generations.

Winner of the Dana McLean Greeley Award for young adult interfaith work

After carefully considering the 12 applications we received this year, each well-prepared and outlining a valuable project we would love to support, the Greeley Award Committee, tasked with this difficult duty, decided to award the project submitted by The Sanctuaries: Interfaith Arts Education.

This is how The Sanctuaries elaborate on their mission to ignite the sacred power of the arts for social change:

You can learn more about the project and the organization on its website, thesanctuaries.org, and its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SanctuariesDC/

The Background of the Dana McLean Greeley Award

In 1969, Rev. Greeley [was] a pivotal force in giving the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) the name it still carries, and new, committed leadership from both Shinto and Buddhist traditions in Japan. He loved IARF’s heritage, and boldly moved it into its future. The Award was created by the IARF to respond to the intention of the Dana McLean Greeley Foundation for Peace and Justice to honor Rev. Greeley’s memory and life achievements for peace through the gift of a $50,000 endowment to the IARF, announced at a service and celebration held in Concord, MA, on November 5, 2006.

The Founding Purpose: The historical Mission of the Award has been to celebrate the achievements of young adults within a religious and/or interfaith community with a strong commitment to human rights, justice, and peace. The award supports an ongoing or new project of a group, featuring the collaborative engagement of young adults with their community, providing the group with material support. In turn, the group is committed to work with young adults, to develop leaders within the next generation, and to expand understanding of human rights, justice, and interfaith dialog within the context of religious freedom.

Goals of the Award: The primary goals of the award are to support organizations of young adults, and the communities within which they are engaged, to conduct programs of leadership development, human rights education, and engagement in understanding one another’s beliefs within the context of commitment to religious freedom.
The Award (or awards) will be presented at each IARF Congress, currently held at 4-year intervals. They will be celebrated and promoted at a special ceremony, and through publicity within and beyond the IARF.

Human Rights Education Facilitators’ Training Program

26 – 28 June, 2015
Venue: St. Ann’s Generalate
St. Ann’s Retreat cum Seminar Centre, H.No: 12-13-485, Nagarjunnagar Colony, Tarnaka, Secunderabad – 500017, Telangana State, India

HRE training Hyderabad 2015 (pdf 1 page) 

Human Rights Awareness Drive by young adults, S. India

Awareness Drive on the Universal “Human Rights”

Place: Bangalore & Chennai, India

Date : 16^th November 2014

Regional coordinators : Fareena Maria (Bangalore) & Vijay Sarathy (Chennai)

 On a Sunday morning when most people tend to sleep in and while away their time, a few young adults joined hands to step up and make a difference. The RFYN team from south-India decided to have an awareness drive on human rights as the majority of people in our country are unaware about it.

The awareness drive mainly involved people from 2 cities – Bangalore and Chennai. The drive was a 2 day event where people from both cities were educated using different means.

On Saturday (15^th November 2014), a group of 25+ young adults gathered to make up banners and posters depicting the 30 articles as mentioned in the universal charter for human rights. These banners were then kept on display for  people to see and learn. These banners were also shared with people using social media. In this digital age, this was the most fastest and efficient means to increase curiosity among the youngsters. A lot of people wanted to know more about how they can do their bit to help others as well as how to manage when they witness a human rights violation.

On Sunday (16^th November 2014), a group of 100+ young adults did a silent rally by holding up the banners. The march was for a period of 1 Hr 45 minutes and was on the shores of Marina Beach (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)  from the labor statue to the Gandhi statue. The whole rally was lead by RFYN (Fareena, Vijay, Sowmya, Satya, Sri ram and Satish) from both the cities. All the participants were given free tshirts with the quote “Keep calm and give everyone equal rights” so as to encourage participation. We had police vans driving alongside us for protection which also garnered extra attention for our cause. The public was intrigued and clicked pictures while a lot of them congratulated our efforts.

This event marked the beginning of many greater things yet to come. A small initiative that was taken by us to do whatever little we could to help ourselves and those around us.

See photos of the event on Facebook

Reported by –

          Fareena Maria & Vijay Sarathy

HRET-RFYN St. Anne’s PU College, Bangalore

Human Rights Eduction training 
St. Anne’s PU College, Bangalore, INDIA
18 & 19 Nov 2013

Facilitators : Janhvi Gupte & Bro. Albert Xaviour

Report (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)

Human Rights Resource Centre newsletter end-2013

IARF-HRRC Newsletter Oct-Dec 2013

(PDF 48 pages, illustrated)

RFYN Summit 2014 – program

Launch of Human Rights Education Resource Centre (HRERC)

6th November 2013
Launch of Human Rights Education Resource Centre (HRERC)
@Sri.Venkateshwara College of Engineering & Technology Tiruvallur District, TamilNadu

Following the launch of the HRRC at Hindupur in August this year, a second centre with the same objectives has been opened.

Please see the report here (PDF 4 pages, illustrated)