Consultative meet discuses role of CSOs

Peace Channel in collaboration with North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC) and North East Institute of Social Sciences & Research (NEISSR) organised a consultative meet “the role of civil societies initiative in peace-building” at Peace Centre, 7th Mile, St. Joseph campus, Chümoukedima, on Saturday.
Panellists of the meet included—Bright Horizon Chümoukedima, director Rev. Dr. Mazie Nakhro, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Longleng district ambassador and Social & Cultural secretary, Eastern Naga Women Organisation (ENWO) Doichong Phom and NESRC Guwahati, Assam, director Rev. Fr. Dr. Walter Fernandes with Shalom Rehabilitation Centre Chümoukedima, director Rev. Fr. Chacko Karinthayil as moderators.
‘Mere power sharing is not enough to bring peace’
In his talk, Rev. Dr. Mazie Nakhro said people were searching for a domain that provided significance, security and recognition and asserted that “mere power sharing among nation or political space” was not enough to bring peace.
Stressing on the need for strong centralised leadership with not only physical and political strength, but also moral strength, he said many divisions arose in Nagaland due to different levels of crises at national, state and village levels.
Rev. Mazie said if there was a strong leadership with strong vision, there could be a solution and people would not be in the condition they were presently living in.
He also pointed out four pillars that played different roles in peace-building in a society which were—government, church, civil societies and media.
Lack of strong centralised leadership to lead the people is one of the main problems that Naga society is facing, he stated.
‘Naga freedom movement has been segregated’
In her address, Doichong Phom pointed out that the Naga freedom movement has been segregated, which was leading to division instead of freedom.
She highlighted six core points—positive impact of civil society and how it should empower all the people to speak up for their rights, be an initiator for the key changes in the society; mobilise and represent people and their key issues.
Doichong opined that civil societies should “challenge the top tier” by pointing out issues and needs of the people.
She said peace cannot be talked about without people’s participation and stressed on the need to create an atmosphere where there was absence of fear with unity based on diversity, justice, pluralism and peace based on justice.
The speaker also highlighted various forms of violence faced by women and urged upon the organisations to initiate similar programmes in each district in order to spread the need for dialogues on problems that trouble the Naga society.
Earlier, welcome note was delivered by director, Peace Channel & Principal, North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR), Rev. Fr. Dr. C.P. Anto.
The panel discussion was followed by Q&A session and group discussion among the participants on “role of youth in bridging the gaps among Naga civil societies”.
The seminar was chaired by MSW student NEISSR, Zhovino Kechu, vote of thanks was proposed by Peace channel & NEISSR, liaison officer Susan Lotha and benediction by NEISSR assistant professor, Dr. Toli H. Kiba.