Training ambassadors for peace based on religious cooperation
2025 Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA) – Theme: “Sustaining Peace in Asia through Religious Cooperation”
This week-long training workshop, was recently held at the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) headquarters in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It brought together 30 young peace activists from across Asia, representing diverse faith traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Indigenous religions, and agnostics.
In his opening speech, Dr Mathews George Chunakara, CCA General Secretary, reflected on the rationale behind initiating YAPA nine years ago. He noted that the programme provides a common platform for young Asians, to be trained as prospective peace activists and to work together across diverse traditions.
…to build and establish communities of peace in Asia, it is essential, critical, and imperative to train new generations of peace activists committed to the cause of peace with justice. Dr Mathews George Chunakara, CCA General Secretary, explained.
Dr Chunakara referred to the many cultures and ethnicities that make up Asia, saying:
Religion here plays a vital role in fuelling hatred and division, while religious leaders claim peace. What we see in Asia today is the politicisation of religion and the religionisation of politics.
A thematic session on “Meaning of Peace and Conceptual Framework of Peacebuilding,” was led by internationally acclaimed Gandhian peace educator and activist Prof. Dr M. P. Mathai.
Read: Young peace activists gather at CCA headquarters in Chiang Mai to prepare as Ambassadors of Peace in Asia | cca.org.hk | News