If you were put in charge of your
neighborhood for one day and a fight started between two groups on that same
day what would you do first? People often say they would call the police or
wait for someone from the government. In my opinion, the government isn't the
only answer to every problem. Sometimes a student a volunteer or a responsible
young person can do something that even older people
cannot do. A smile a talk or even an honest post on social media can help
reduce hate and build peace. That is why I think the role of people is very
important in creating peace at the community level.
Today, Pakistan has one of the
youngest populations in the world. This is not just a statistic; it is a great
opportunity and a great responsibility. Young people have power, fresh thoughts
and the skill to work with technology. If this power is used wisely peace can
be created in every street every school, and every community. In my opinion peacebuilding is not one rule or one government plan but about the small
choices we make every day.
Today social media is a part of our daily life. Social media helps people connect. Social media also has a bad side. On social media, false stories and mean words can spread very quickly. Social media can be used to hurt people with rumors and hate speech. Just one false WhatsApp message or edited video can create distrust among people in a matter of minutes. Therefore, in my opinion the biggest responsibility of youth is to verify any news before sharing it. If every young person fulfilled this simple responsibility, many tensions could be eliminated before they even arise.
The importance of this is being felt
in Pakistan as well. A survey by the Freedom Network and the Coalition Against
Disinformation showed that many university students encounter online
disinformation daily. I find this important because it shows that the issue is
not just about technology, but also about
awareness. This is why UNESCO Pakistan launched a program called “Digital
Citizens for Peace,” where young content creators and students are taught how
to recognize and combat hate speech and fake news. In my
opinion such programmes are proof that if youth are given the right training
and opportunities, they can not only be a part of the change but can also lead
it.
In my view, peacebuilding shouldn't be limited to social media. It should begin in our schools, colleges, universities and neighborhoods. When students from different backgrounds work together on projects, participate in sports events or engage in social service activities, trust is built between them. A peaceful society is built on this trust. When people spend time together, they start to see each other as beings and not as enemies. I think it is very important for people of different faiths to get along in a country like Pakistan where there are many different cultures and religions. Every person should be treated with respect. Everyone should have freedom to practice their beliefs. Young people can really help make this happen. If we have meetings where people from different faiths can talk to each other and learn about each other, this can help reduce the bad feelings people have towards each other. We can have these meetings and awareness campaigns at universities and in our communities. Interfaith harmony is very important. People should try to understand each other. Youth can play a role, in making interfaith harmony a reality. We should have dialogue sessions. Interfaith meetings to bring people together. When people listen to each other with a heart respect is born instead of hatred.
I believe community service is also a part of peace building. Projects like neighborhood cleanups, tree plantation drives, blood donation camps, free tuition classes or flood relief activities are not just work, but also a way to bring people closer to each other. When people from different backgrounds work together for a good cause, love and trust grow stronger between them. These small steps later become the foundation of a peaceful society. I also believe that peacebuilding is not only about ending violence but also about promoting justice, equality and respect. If young people from a community speak out against injustice, bullying, discrimination or hate speech around them, this is also a possibility for establishing peace. Silence often exacerbates the issue while courage and truth help find a solution.
Today's youth possess a power perhaps
no previous generation possessed. People in Pakistan have
the chance to get an education, use the internet and learn from things that
happen around the world. If people use these things
to help each other and be kind instead of spreading hatred, Pakistan's future
will be really good. Every young person in Pakistan can make a difference in
their community even if they do not have a title. I think that peace does not
happen all of a sudden or just because the
government says so. Peace is created when every individual understands
their responsibility and makes things easier for others. Pakistan's youth have
both the ability and the responsibility. If every young person takes just one
small positive step stopping a rumor solving a problem helping someone in
need or sharing a positive message these small steps can collectively bring
about a profound change. In my opinion, Pakistan's strongest peace agreement
will be written not in a conference room, but in our neighborhoods, classrooms and the hearts of our youth. And it can begin today right now.
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