'Holistic Development and Leadership' workshop empowers young community leaders

SRINAGAR: In an effort to enhance the leadership skills of the youth population and equip them with the necessary tools to strengthen their youth-led initiatives, United Religions Initiative (URI) partnered with Youth for Peace International and CEEO India to conduct a comprehensive 5-day workshop on 21st-century skills and adaptive leadership. The workshop took place in Srinagar from June 7 to June 11, 2023.

With a focus on fostering meaningful engagement and promoting social and cultural progress, the workshop aimed to empower young community leaders from various districts across Jammu and Kashmir and diverse faith communities. Over 15 dedicated participants representing Anantnag, Pulwama, Poonch Jammu, Srinagar, and other districts actively participated in this immersive learning experience.

The workshop, facilitated by Saumya Aggarwal, Co-founder of Youth for Peace International, and Tanya Sablok, Expressive Arts Facilitator and CC Liaison officer for URI in North India, provided a platform for participants to develop holistic leadership skills. The program delved into key themes such as gender equality, inclusivity, dialogic communication, artistic expression, well-being, and peacebuilding.

Participants expressed their gratitude for the transformative impact of the workshop. One participant shared how the program helped him overcome anxiety and acquire tools to manage it, stating, "Before attending this workshop, I used to feel anxious, but now I feel present in the moment."

The attendees left the workshop feeling empowered and ready to reimagine and redesign youth-led initiatives within their respective communities.

Following the workshop, participants are determined to implement their newfound knowledge and take the lead in programs aimed at societal transformation. They seek to further the vision of "One Earth, One Family, One Future" by actively building cultures of peace, justice, and healing in Jammu and Kashmir.

These young community leaders are hopeful for continued support, resources, and opportunities to actively engage in decision-making spaces within their communities. Through their collective efforts, they aim to create a positive and sustainable impact while fostering a sense of unity and understanding among the diverse youth population of Jammu and Kashmir.