Giving peace a chance

For most of us,peace is a Utopian concept. It is something that the world strives for in an ever-increasing violent society. The concept of peace may largely be perceived as abstract,but for Aarti Patil,principal,Vidyanchal School,Aundh,who recently received a peace fellowship by the Rotary Foundation,peace metamorphosed into something more concrete and measurable. Sixteen people from across the globe participated in this programme and Patil was the only Indian among them.

All participants were chosen on the basis of their ability to have a significant and positive impact on world peace and conflict resolution during the course of their careers. Held at Chulalongkorn University,Bangkok,Thailand,the Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Program organised by Rotary International was aimed at teaching the Peace Fellows the technique of studying conflict situations and resolving them in a fair manner. Sharing her experience,Patil says,“The fellowship was a unique experience because it made me realise how difficult it is to spread the message of peace and alternately,it helped me understand how widespread the acts of violence are around the world.”

The course,which went on for three months,consisted of four modules – the concept and values of peace and conflict studies,the diagnosis and analysis of conflict,conflict resolution skills,approaches and strategies,conflict transformation and building sustainable peace. Apart from these classroom teachings,there were public seminars,assignments and evaluations and two field study trips,one to Cambodia and the other to Northern Thailand at the Burmese border to study conflict situations and human trafficking. And it was these trips that struck a chord with the participants. “When you personally experience these events or their aftermath,then you begin perceiving them differently. When I walked through the killer fields in Cambodia,my perception of war changed so much,” says Patil.

So,what really made her apply for this fellowship? “As a teacher,I know how important it is to teach young minds to have a positive and open attitude and I felt that I could facilitate an attitude change in them after this fellowship. If I can influence 500 children at my school and a staff of 50,then I will feel like I am doing my bit,” she smiles.