Children are talking about peace as an alternative to war, as you can see in the “Peacemakers” issue of the interfaith magazine, KidSpirit Online. Find out more about young people from a variety of religious and political perspectives who promote peace. Here’s the magazine’s press release about the “Peacemakers” issue:
In the midst of global conflict and rapidly changing international relations, and in the spirit of promoting dialogue among youth of all cultures and backgrounds, KidSpirit Online, an award-winning web forum and magazine for teens, continues its remarkable collaboration with international peacemaking groups in its current “Conflict and Peacemakers” issue.
KidSpirit article “Talking with Tomorrow’s Peacemakers,” by 13-year-old activist Akash Mehta is an interview with an Israeli and a Palestinian who spent a summer at Seeds of Peace, and two youth from Northern Ireland who participated in Auburn Seminary’s Face to Face/Faith to Faith program. Both programs bring teens together from two sides of entrenched conflict in order to create meaningful relationships and help promote dialogue. Akash asked the attendees about their experience in an effort to find out how people bridge the gap created by deep-seated conflict and what young people can learn from those who effectively have overcome historical and psychological barriers to promote peace.
Yaala, the young Israeli woman whom Akash interviewed, advises fellow teen peacemakers to “demonstrate the values you believe in, speak the words that guide you, define yourselves by what brings you joy and happiness, rather than by what makes you angry and upset. Don’t fight for what you believe in—just be it. Fighting should not be our universal language anymore.”
This article complements an original essay published in KidSpirit recently by Marc Gopin, renowned international peacemaker and James H. Laue Professor and Director of George Mason University’s Center on Religion, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. Gopin brings his life experience to bear in a reflection about the spiritual underpinnings of peacemaking. He describes how young people can create peace by starting with self-reflection and self-examination, confronting inner conflict as a way of preparing oneself for tackling conflict with others.
In addition to Akash Mehta’s new article is an essay by a teen writer in India who reflects on Gandhi’s influence on her country and herself, while wrestling with how to fit Gandhi’s teachings into current issues in global conflict. Each piece contributes to a significant collaborative effort that KidSpirit has made with international organizations to bring readers a sampling of some of the most provocative young voices for peace.
