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The children of Asia recently had their own set of peace talks, at a regional peace-building workshop especially for young people.
ECAP (Empowering Children As Peacebuilders) brought leaders and peace advocates from World Vision's Children's Clubs together to share their experiences and plan a regional approach to children's participation.
"We want our governments to be seriously working towards peace" was the agreed message sent by the children to decision-makers throughout Asia.
World Vision's Michelle Garred, who helped to design and organise the event, said that creating links and friendships between young people of different nations would in itself foster peace. "The workshop encouraged the children to see that conflict comes in different forms and happens to everyone."
Presentations from countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka highlighted both regional problems and alternative approaches to peacebuilding efforts.
Children also shared personal experiences of conflict using drawings and role plays. Stories of the impact of violence on friends, family and the environment were familiar to all.
The children agreed that for peace to flourish, human qualities common to all cultures must be called upon: listening, forgiving, accepting, respecting, faith and love. "Peace must begin within ourselves," they declared.
"I am sad when conflict happens and I hope that we can tell people, including children, to strive together to work for peace," said Markeen Tero, a 14-year-old sponsored child from Surigao in the Philippines. Markeen has already been a peace advocate for many years, taking part in community dramas in her home town to call for peace and tolerance.
World Vision Philippines coordinator Jocelyn Mariscal was one of many adult participants humbled by the valuable information and strategies the children put forward. "It is amazing to see how much children are involved in efforts to promote peace in their own communities," she said.
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