‘Inspiring Change’ 9th INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PEACE FEST (IYPF-2014)

September 27 to October 2, 2014

VISION

A world where all people are equally respected fully protected and universally realized. Included in this vision is a world where all young people – regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, class, gender or other differences – are encouraged and empowered to non-violently claim their own rights and serve as advocates for the rights of others.

MISSION

There are capable young leaders in every global community, who can become catalyst or ‘Agents of Change’. Bringing those leaders together to inspire change is the mission of the International Youth Peace Fest (IYPF).

IYPF 2014-MAJOR ISSUES

One World - One Family Social Entrepreneurship Empower Women Change the World World Green Citizens Unity of SAARC

Yuvsatta (an NGO)-The main organizer

Yuvsatta (Youth power)-an NGO is working in a variety of areas to steer the young people towards implementing Gandhian ideals of Constructive Programme based on voluntary effort and individual & community action. Yuvsatta’s work to promote the spirit of volunteering amongst the generation next, to bridge the barriers of race, colour, religion, nationalities plus fill the gender and economic divides by empowering the young people is more timely than ever. Each day the headlines demonstrate the human cost of this divide. Each day the hatred and distrust grow.

To create a more just world by empowering young change makers from around the globe, Yuvsatta organizes an annual International Youth Peace Fest (IYPF), in which a combination of cross cultural learning workshops, volunteer service and youth activism is aligned with grassroots NGOs, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

THE PLANS

Young people from over 50 countries and different states of India are expected to participate. IYPF 2014 will provide them a platform for increased cross-fertilization of ideas. So that they become true global citizens in thinking and action and Volunteer to co-create a future equal to their vast potential.

The IYPF 2014 will also provide young people to be directly involved with passionate people from all across the globe. Recognizing that youth participation is fundamental for accelerating the Millennium Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda; youth engagement throughout the IYPF 2014 will be enhanced to ensure that their views and contributions are acknowledged and strengthened.

The IYPF 2014 aims to provide a platform for the young people to discuss, understand, share, find solutions and develop strategies on issues pertaining to ‘One world-One family, Green Citizenship Empowering the Girls & Women, Unity for SAARC and looking beyond man-made barriers of race, religion and nationalities for common good of all’. It will bring and allow the young people from all over the world to exchange views, share experiences on other issues like gender equality, environment, peace, education, women, and reflect together.

The organizers assume that the continuity of organizing IYPF will prove infectious and it is definite to spurt similar sprouting elsewhere in India & Globally too.

INSPIRATION

IYPF is organized in sacred memory of Late Didi Nirmala Deshpande, a former Member Parliament, Rajya Sabha, India and senior Gandhian Peace Activist, whose relentless struggles for peace among people of this region was witnessed by a whole generation in Asia, particularly in Pakistan and India. Her commitment to all sections of the society for national integration and communal harmony remained paramount throughout her life. In reality she was a crusader and a great peace icon who believed in building stronger and durable relations among Asian countries.

ORIGIN

It was significant that the year 2000 had been designated by the UN as the year for Culture of Peace. The Euphoria generated during this period and concerns that were expressed also affirmed growing concern over the consumerist culture, dwindling moral values, disregard of human concerns and widespread environmental degradation. At that time various international initiatives were taken to involve youth. It is a fact that youth are not being effectively involved. Mahatma Gandhi who emphasized the importance of youth being given higher roles realized that a society which doesn’t ensure youth involvement will have little chance of growth. And in keeping with these thoughts Yuvsatta first organized a World Youth Conference on theme of ‘Millennium without Violence’ in January, 2000.

Though this attempt of Yuvsatta to organize an international event was quite successful in which young students from 15 different countries and personalities like Sri R. Venkataraman, former President of India, Prof. BR Nanda, prominent historian and senior gandhians like Prof. KD Gangrade, Prof. N. Radhakrishnan participated. Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti, New Delhi also published a book on the proceedings of the Conference, which later was released by Prof. Moegiadi, Director of UNESCO, New Delhi office. An event of this scale involves lot of networking with stakeholders, logistics management and financial support, which at that time became very difficult for Yuvsatta volunteers and resultantly they were not able to make such an effort again for next six years.

But this doesn’t mean that Yuvsatta volunteers remained silent in between, on the contrary they started the concept of ‘Peace-city Chandigarh’ with opening of Peace Clubs in Schools and Colleges of the city. Under this campaign, more than 100 “Peace Clubs’ are formed in major educational institutions of tricity i.e. Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula, where in many Principals and teachers incharge of respective Schools and Colleges are dedicating their time and resources to the task of making these clubs vibrant and result oriented. Education of the peace volunteers on the positive aspect of nonviolence through constructive activities, discussions, interactions and effective dialogue is the main focus of the initiative.

In 2006, Yuvsatta volunteers once again made an attempt of organizing an international event by inviting 100 young people of India and Pakistan. This was quite successful in spreading the message that continuity in contacts is essential for better understanding and removal of misgivings. Next year in 2007 participants doubled with over 250 young people gathering from both the neighboring countries. As they were not willing to be mute witness to their futures being written and unwritten and destroyed by governments. They were not hesitant to stand up to be counted. And decided to spread their small network to young people from other countries as well, so that man-made barriers can be diminished, which resulted in participation of over 400 young people from ten different countries in next Peace Fest in 2008. Progressing well IYPF 2013 saw participation of over 350 young people from 30 countries of the world and thousands of local youth who also joined on different occasions to show their camaraderie. This jamboree made a loud and clear statement with regard to the birth of a happier order of the world. Morning to the good night hours each of the participant gets involved in the intensity and sensitivity of the humane camaraderie. Now, in IYPF 2014 even greater participation is expected.

OBJECTIVES

Major Objectives

To strengthen the spirit of peace, equality and living in harmony with nature.

To promote Human rights & dignity of girls.

To provide challenging intercultural learning experiences for young people.

Social and personal development through participation of youth in various multi-cultural, academic, sports & service initiatives.

To Explore ways of understanding peace and conflict.

Connect youth-based social change efforts across issues, geography, and all lines of difference, unleashing the collaborative power and collective action of today’s younger generations.

To encourage dialogue amongst young leaders, and strive to create the next generation of nonviolent peacemakers. As the mission of Peace Festival is to ignite a generation-wide movement of young people helping to bring forth a thriving, just, sustainable world.

Secondary Objectives

IYPF 2014 will provide a platform for increased exchange of ideas through greater interaction amongst the participating youth.

At least 50 per cent of the participants go back with a project idea that they would implement in their community.

To promote increased sharing of ideas and learn from each other’s local initiatives; at least ten international youth exchange programs will be organized before IYPF 2015.

As the Peace Clubs in Chandigarh and adjoining towns of Panchkula and Mohali, similar Peace Clubs will be formed in at least 5 different countries by the participants of IYPF.

IYPF 2014 will train fifty young people as ‘SAARC Youth Peace Volunteers’ who can further train more and more young people in SAARC countries to carry forward the spirit of volunteering, nonviolence, equity and justice plus create a peaceful South-Asia .

VENUE

It’s very difficult to imagine any major city in India more ideal than peace-city Chandigarh, a

model of outstanding modern urban planning. Chandigarh’s beautiful gardens, bicycle paths,

architecture, vast network of educational institutions and culture all contribute to a quality

of life that is unbeatable anywhere else. And in Chandigarh city, major hosts of this year’s

IYPF 2014 includes the following; - GGD SD College, Sector 32D, Chandigarh

http://www.ggdsd.ac.in/ - Department cum Centre for Women’s Studies & Development, Panjab University

http://cwsd.puchd.ac.in/ - Gurukul Global School, Chandigarh

http://www.gurukulglobal.com/

Come and see Chandigarh - a Utopia! For details; http://chandigarh.nic.in/

METHODOLOGY

IYPF is an amalgam of a week of inspirational peace-talks, creative workshops, cooperative-

games, action based activities, volunteer action, building cross-cultural relationships, cultural

festivities and neigbourhood walks.

Beyond friendships, IYPF is also breeding grounds for inspiring new ideas. Brainstorming new

ideas was not limited to discussion forums. Young people also channel their creativity into

posters, pot painting, comics and collages to fully emphasize the issues. As these artistic

outlet makes a bold statement.

SUSTAINABILITY

The idea is fully sustainable in a sense that participants arrange for their own travel expenses. Local School, College, Government Guest houses offer their accommodation at subsidized rates. Plus many educational institutions, Government organizations, NGO’s, corporate bodies, senior social & peace activists they all contribute towards its organization.

Not only the dancing souls found their rhythmic feat & open arms, opens up all locks of inhibition and consequently the sluice gates of the mutual understanding, respect and discovery get opened: flooding away the dogmas and suspicion. Beyond the borders connectivity was also generated by the spade cultural exposes, events, face to face interactions and intermingling by the participants within and without, specially with rural and urban populace. Wherein the locals open up their hearts and doors of hospitality and thereby allowed closer peep-in. This generates an almost utopian spectare of universal bonding.

DETAILED PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

DAY 1-World Tourism Day: Saturday, September 27, 2014 Mingle, Mingle, Mingle!

18.00–20.00: Welcome Evening & Presentation of Peace Awards

20.00–21.00: Dinner -‘Voice of Peace’ Newsletter

DAY 2: Sunday, September 28, 2014 06.30-07.15: Yoga/Play for Peace at places of stay At GGD SD COLLEGE, Sector 32, Chandigarh

10.00-11.00: Registration & Ice-Breaking

11.00-12.30: Inaugural session

12.30-13.30: Lunch & refreshments

13.30–15.00: Deliberations on five themes of IYPF 2014; One World - One Family Social Entrepreneurship Empower Women Change the World World Green Citizens Unity of SAARC

15.00–15.30: Fresh-n- up break

15.30-19.30: Leisure time - City tour/shopping

20.00: Dinner at respective places of stay -‘Voice of Peace’ Newsletter

DAY 3: Monday, September 29, 2014 06.30-07.15: Yoga/Play for Peace at places of stay At GGD SD College, Sector 32D, Chandigarh

09.30-10.00: Peace Yoga 10.00-11.30: Session on ‘Importance & benefit of inner peace and what are the ways to cultivate it.’

Resource person: Mr. Kuldeep Singh, Peace Revolution Project, Thailand

11.30-13.30: Plenary sessions - Participants will be divided into two following groups; One World-One Family Social Entrepreneurship

13.30-14.30: Lunch break

14.30-16.00: Plenary Session continues

16.00–16.30: Fresh-n- up break

16.30-17.30: SOUTH ASIAN TRADITIONAL GAMES

18.00-19.30: Rock Fiesta.

20.00: Dinner at respective places of stay At Panjab University, Chandigarh 09.00-17.00: Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting on Rights & Dignity of Girls-I.

-‘Voice of Peace’ Newsletter

DAY 4-Tuesday, September 30, 2014 06.30-07.15: Yoga/Play for Peace at places of stay At GGD SD College, Sector 32D, Chandigarh

Session –I: SOUTH ASIA YOUTH SUMMIT 09.00-13.30:

Session II: World Green Citizens.

13.30- 14.30: Lunch break

14.30–17.00: Peace flash mob

18.00-20.00: Beyond Borders Fashion Show & Musical Panorama At Panjab University, Chandigarh 09.00-17.00: Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting on Rights & Dignity of Girls-II.

20.00: Dinner at respective places of stay -‘Voice of Peace’ Newsletter

DAY 5- Wednesday, October 1, 2014 06.30-07.15: Yoga/Play for Peace at places of stay 10.00-11.30: WORLD PEACE PLEDGE & UNITY SONGS At GGD SD College, Sector 32D, Chandigarh 12.30-13.30: Lunch 13.30-16.00: Country presentations/Cultural sharing’s 16.00-18.00: Free time 18.00-19.30: Multi-cultural evening/celebration of ‘CHINA DAY’ 19.30- 21.00: Dinner & bonfire

-‘Voice of Peace’ Newsletter

DAY 6- International Day of Nonviolence: Thursday, October 2, 2014

06.30-09.30: MARATHON for WORLD PEACE At GGD SD College, Sector 32D, Chandigarh 11.00-13.30: Valedictory Function 13.30: Lunch & time to move ahead…

IMPACT

1. In the past eight years IYPF have created a network of hundreds of motivated youth across

the globe. From issues of environment to violence, these youth have been advocating for

equal human rights and sustainability in various manners.

2. The IYPF 2014 will provide young people to be directly involved with passionate people from

all across the globe. Recognizing that youth participation is fundamental for accelerating the

Millennium Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda; youth engagement

throughout the IYPF 2014 will be enhanced to ensure that their views and contributions are

acknowledged and strengthened.

3. IYPF is a catalyst for young people to get involved in their community and make a difference.

Such efforts energize those who are already engaged in good causes, helping people

recognize they are not alone in their endeavor. The IYPF brings everyone together and

promotes new bonds beyond boundaries of race, religion and nationalities.

4. In addition, mobilizing the host city Chandigarh’s own local youth organizations is an

important focus of the event. There are over 10,000 youth in local schools associated with

Yuvsatta through their Peace Clubs and annual International Youth Peace Fest (IYPF).

5. Now eight years of intervention of an annual IYPF has started regular youth exchange

programme between young people of India with twelve other countries of Pakistan, Nepal,

Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh, China, USA, Mauritius, Myanmar, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore & Bhutan.

6. IYPF provides young people a platform for increased exchange of ideas, so that they become

true global citizens in thinking and action and volunteer to co-create a future equal to their

vast potential.

7. IYPF further energize the local Peace Clubs in Schools & Colleges of Chandigarh, not only to

take active part in the initiative but also to share ideas, network and start campaigns for

common good of all.

MAJOR COMMITTED PARTNERS FOR IYPF 2014 ORGANIZER

YUVSATTA (an NGO-empowering youth for peace) NATIONAL PARTNERS

GGD SD College, Sector 32D, Chandigarh, Indicorps, Ahmedabad, Department cum Centre for Women Studies & Development, Panjab University, Chandigarh State Cell-NSS, Chandigarh Administration, Inter Faith Foundation, India, Gurukul Global Public School, Chandigarh, Jurists & Associates International (JAI), Chandigarh, Paragon Sr. Sec. School, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Friends of China Society, Chandigarh, PIDT (People’s Institute for Development & Training), New Delhi, Ghungroo Musical Club Chandigarh, Harijan Sewak Sangh-Tamilnadu Branch, ARUSHI-Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal-Maharastra.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS International Association for Voluntary Effort (IAVE), CPAFFC (Chinese People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries), China, Global Peace Foundation, Malaysia, Garden of Hope Foundation, Taiwan, The Gandhi Global Peace Association, USA, Peace Revolution Project, World Peace Initiative Foundation, Thailand, International Peace Youth Group, South Korea, Thailand Peace Network Foundation, Thailand, Association for Communal Harmony, USA, Asian Resource Foundation, Thailand, Jagriti Child and Youth Concern, Nepal, Hindu Vidyapeeth, Kathmandu, Nepal, Department of Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Department of Local Bodies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Me Veg, Dubai, UAE, China-India Friendship Association, Beijing, China.

For details: Yuvsatta, #12, Karuna Sadan,

Sector 11, Chandigarh, India-160011 Tel.: +91-172-3298551

Email: projectbridge.yuvsatta@gmail.com www.peacefest.in, www.yuvsatta.org

Contact persons: Ms. Shivali Malhotra, Incharge, Advocacy & Programmes +91-9910359145

Mr. Ajatshatru, Programme Manager +91-8901585624 Mr. Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta-+91 9872609816

“There is no way to peace, PEACE is the way.”-MK Gandhi