French
Spanish
GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE

On the left below please find an article from CPNN, and on the right its discussion.
Please note that links to the discussion no longer work directly.
Instead, Use the following address http://cpnn-world.org/discussion/xxx.htm
where xxx is the topic number in the failed address obtained when you click on the discussion.
If this doesn't work, click here.

Learn Write Read Home About Us Discuss Search Subscribe Contact
by program area
by region
by category
by recency
United Nations and Culture of Peace
Global Movement for a Culture of Peace
Values, Attitudes, Actions
Rules of the Game
Submit an Article
Become a CPNN Reporter


Yemeni youth tackle terror with non-violent campaign
an article by Bassam Ghabar for Common Ground News Service (abridged)

While counterterrorism efforts in Yemen generally fall within the domain of the Yemeni security forces, Yemeni youth have also joined in the challenge to uproot terrorism in a peaceful and effective manner. Since last December, a group of young Yemenis has been waging a campaign in schools against terrorism through an organisation called Youth Creativity. The campaign aims to deepen national allegiance and spread a culture of tolerance and coexistence throughout the country.



click on photo to enlarge

Terrorist groups in Yemen have expanded their operations during the past two years by taking advantage of political events and the absence of security since the youth revolution on 11 November 2011. The result has been widespread losses for the country, including the deaths of civilians and military personnel, as well as the takeover of areas in the governorates of Abyan and Al-Baida' in the south of the country.

In response to this situation, Youth Creativity has provided an opportunity for Yemenis, regardless of grouping or social class, to come together under a banner of peace and unity.

Through the organisation, Yemeni youth from different regions and political affiliations are now working together to protect their society from terrorism and establish a more secure country together. To do so, these youth participated in an awareness campaign to enhance the values of peace and coexistence among school children while simultaneously warning children against falling prey to terrorist groups. Aware of the need to protect this vulnerable age group in particular, the youth believe this is a solid way to confront the terrorist doctrine that has taken root in the country.

Schools are fertile ground for creating a generation that is aware of the peaceful principles found in Islam, like respect for all human life, the importance of accepting one another regardless of political or religious beliefs and the courage to stand up to those endangering their homeland. The campaign seeks to teach students about the true meaning of Islam by explaining through religious texts exactly how it promotes peace, instead of how terrorist groups want young people to see it – as supportive of violence and killing.

The campaign, in cooperation with the Yemeni Ministry of Education, which encourages and authorises Youth Creativity members to work in schools, includes a number of activities. First, Yemeni scholars and religious leaders speak with students during the daily morning assembly about the dangers of terrorist groups, giving examples of the negative effects on both the individual and the country.

In addition, the 120 members of the Youth Creativity national team, youth who were given special skills-training on counter terrorism by Yemeni trainers, circulate through schools and give classes for all levels. This team promotes further awareness by distributing pamphlets and screening videos about the dangers and destruction caused by terrorism.

The campaign furthermore chooses educators from each school, usually the physical education teacher, the social counsellor and the librarian. It then links these teachers with troubled students in the schools who might be more vulnerable to indoctrination by terrorist groups. Teachers then share messages with these youth that promote a culture of compassion and tolerance . . .

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:


Nonviolence is at its best when violence is at its worst, Do you agree?

* * * * *

Latest reader comment:

Bernard Lafayette, Director of the Center for Peace and Nonviolence at the University of Rhode Island shared with us the following observation, based on his years of working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his recent work in Colombia, helping to organize leadership teams in nonviolence:
"Nonviolence is at its best when violence is at its worst".


This report was posted on March 18, 2013.