International Day of Peace 21 September 2026
Panel Discussion by Youth- International Day of Peace – Doyens of Peace
Doyens of Peace of Southasia
International Day of Peace Celebrations – 21 September 2026
Theme
How Can Youth of Southasia Invest in Peace in the Region—for Everyone and Every Day?
Report
In School Assemblies
Students in 15 schools of Hyderabad and Pune took a 9 Point Pledge to work for Peace
in Southasia from everyone and every day!
Panel Discussion in Hyderabad, India
The Program highlighted that young people have a vital role in building peace and cooperation across South Asia. Peace should not be viewed only as the responsibility of governments or institutions; it can begin with small, consistent actions in families, schools, colleges, communities and digital spaces. Youth can use their creativity, education, technology and leadership to promote understanding, respect, inclusion and cooperation
Link to YouTube Live Cast of the Panel Discussion:
https://youtu.be/sP-D1Y1cLPs?si=xySH8zxLqS5Z5w51
Key Activities and Programs
1. Youth Peace Circles: Organise regular forums where young people can discuss difficult social issues, listen to different perspectives and develop mutual understanding.
2. Intercultural and Language Exchanges: Connect youth from different South Asian communities through cultural, language, music, dance, literature and arts exchanges.
3. Digital Peace Campaigns: Use social media responsibly to spread verified information, positive messages and peace content, while discouraging rumours, misinformation, hate speech and cyberbullying.
4. Community Peace Projects: Turn discussions into practical grassroots initiatives that address local concerns and encourage cooperation among different communities.
5. Educational Peace Programmes: Conduct peace-awareness sessions, school and college assemblies, seminars, debates, workshops and student-led campaigns.
6. Environmental and Climate Action: Organise youth awareness campaigns, clean-up activities and environmental projects, recognising that climate-related challenges cross national borders.
7. Sports and Cultural Programmes: Build friendships across communities and borders through sports, music, art, literature and cultural festivals.
8. Inclusion and Anti-Bullying Initiatives: Stand against discrimination, bullying and exclusion, and create spaces where people from different cultures, religions, languages and backgrounds can participate equally.
9. Youth Working Committees: Participate in planning, membership mobilisation, communication, documentation, newsletters, thematic groups and major events under the Doyens of Peace initiative.
Overall, the programme emphasised the importance of starting small and remaining consistent:
choosing dialogue over conflict, verifying information before sharing it, respecting differences, cooperating across borders and turning ideas into practical action.
REPORT of International Peace Day Celebrations organized by CYDA at Pune- India
**Participants:** 42
The interactive session explored peace, different forms of violence, their causes and impacts, and ways to resolve conflicts peacefully through Role Plays.
Key Causes: Inequality, lack of communication, discrimination, economic pressures, and harmful relationships.
Cautions: Recognise structural, domestic, relationship, and economic violence; avoid escalation, exclusion, and disrespect.
Actions: Promote empathy, active listening, equality, respect, communication, and non-violent conflict resolution, Youth actively build safe and inclusive communities through everyday actions.
Overall, the program emphasised the importance of starting small and remaining consistent.
1. Choosing dialogue over conflict
2. Verifying information before sharing
3. Respecting differences
4. Cooperating across borders and
5. Turning ideas into practical action.
6. Peace Tree Activity
The Session concluded with each youth writing what peace means to them and adding it to The Peace Tree that showed how individual actions can contribute to a Culture of Peace.
Certificates and Awards to Participants of 2 nd Southasian Commemoration of Doyens of Peace held on 12 th August 2026
The occasion was used to distribute certificates to participants who had submitted their videos and Cash Award of Rs. 15,000 to Madiha Minhaj for the Best Video from India.
The Cash Award was sponsored by Ms. Lalita Ramdas.
Doyens of Peace of Southasia – International Day of Peace
Message for Students- Youth- Members of Public
To be read out at School and College Assemblies and Community Gatherings
21st September 2026
Youth Across Borders: Building a Peaceful and Prosperous South Asia
South Asia is home to more than one-fourth of humanity, sharing ancient cultures, languages, rivers, mountains, music, food and family histories. Yet our region has also suffered from wars, terrorism, communal and ethnic violence, political tensions and mistrust.
Some conflicts are between countries—including tensions between India and Pakistan, India and China, and disputes and political tensions involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and others.
Some conflicts occur within countries, including ethnic, religious, political and regional violence.
Many challenges are common across the region: poverty and inequality, unemployment, discrimination, extremism, climate change, disasters, water stress, migration and the spread of hate and misinformation.
But young people can help change this story.
Youth across South Asia can:
1. Build friendships across borders through student exchanges, sports, music, art, literature and online cultural programmes.
2. Reject hatred against people because of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, language or political beliefs.
3. Question stereotypes and verify information before sharing inflammatory messages on social media.
4. Work together on common challenges such as climate change, clean water, education, public health, poverty and disaster relief.
5. Learn about the histories and experiences of neighbouring countries from multiple perspectives.
6. Support dialogue rather than violence, and encourage governments and communities to resolve disputes peacefully.
7. Create Southasian networks of students and young professionals committed to peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development.
We may belong to different countries, but the problems of Southasia do not stop at national borders.
Rivers cross borders. Climate change crosses borders. Pollution, pandemics, poverty and misinformation cross borders. Therefore, our solutions must also cross borders.
The youth of Southasia can choose to inherit the conflicts of the past
Or build the cooperation for a collective and prosperous future.
PLEDGE
On this International Day of Peace, 21st September 2026, We, the Youth of Southasia, Pledge:
1. To respect every religion, culture, language, ethnicity and nationality of our region.
2. To reject hatred, prejudice, discrimination and violence in all their forms.
3. To question stereotypes and never spread unverified information or hate on social media.
4. To build friendships and cooperation with young people across Southasian borders.
5. To promote dialogue and peaceful solutions to conflicts between and within our countries.
6. To work together on shared challenges—poverty, inequality, climate change, disasters and unemployment.
7. To celebrate our diversity while recognising the common hopes and aspirations of all Southasians.
8. To use education, technology, art, sport and culture as bridges of friendship and understanding.
9. To make our generation a force for peace, cooperation and shared prosperity across Southasia.
Together, We Pledge to make Southasia a Region of
Peace, Friendship, Dignity and Opportunity for All
Please visit: www.peacedoyens.org