A group of 26 youth leaders from countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia participated in the Fourth Annual Dialogue of Youth Peace Leaders with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The two-day conference kicked off on October 23 and was led by Nancy Lindborg, President of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).
The Dialogue focused on topics which included building bridges in a divided community, inclusive peace in a divided society and peace education and resilience after displacement. His Holiness emphasised the importance of education, saying that it should include cultivating a sense of emotional hygiene in the same way that we observe our physical hygiene. When asked about village people’s opposition to education, especially for girls and to how to counter such obstructive attitudes he advised to work at it gradually and persistently, and saying that trying to bring about change quickly requires a revolution.
His Holiness continued, saying that despite significant material and technological development many of the problems we face today are of our own making and arise from seeing other people in terms of “us and them”. He said that young people can contribute to peaceful change by working honestly and truthfully, for which they need a persistent determination and a belief in truth as the power of truth goes on and on.
He concluded, “The past is beyond our control, but the future is still in our hands. To shape it we should use our intelligence and make efforts now. Although our present situation may not be happy, we can change it. There is no use in becoming demoralised. In the past, small communities could remain isolated and inward looking, but today technology has given us one human community in which we can work together. I look forward to positive change.”
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