Call for participation from Doyens of Peace, Southasia Peace Action Network’s partner organisation:
Please spare just 5 minutes during your school/ college assemblies on 21st September 2026 – International Day of Peace
The initiative aims to provide an opportunity to understand the dynamics of conflicts and peace in Southasia* and pledge to address them, help broaden perspectives about the regional dimensions of the issue, and develop compassion and sense of responsibility across borders.
Message for students and youth to read out at school and college assemblies or community gatherings on International Peace Day, Monday 21 September 2026 (2 minutes 30 seconds):
Youth Across Borders:
Building a Peaceful and Prosperous Southasia
Southasia is home to more than one-fourth of humanity, sharing ancient cultures, languages, rivers, mountains, music, food and family histories. Yet our region has also suffered from wars, terrorism, communal and ethnic violence, political tensions and mistrust.
Some conflicts are between countries—including tensions between India and Pakistan, India and China, and disputes and political tensions involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and others.
Some conflicts occur within countries, including ethnic, religious, political and regional violence.
Many challenges are common across the region: poverty and inequality, unemployment, discrimination, extremism, climate change, disasters, water stress, migration and the spread of hate and misinformation.
But young people can help change this story. Youth across Southasia can:
- Build friendships across borders through student exchanges, sports, music, art, literature and online cultural programmes.
- Reject hatred against people because of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, language or political beliefs.
- Question stereotypes and verify information before sharing inflammatory messages on social media.
- Work together on common challenges such as climate change, clean water, education, public health, poverty and disaster relief.
- Learn about the histories and experiences of neighbouring countries from multiple perspectives.
- Support dialogue rather than violence, and encourage governments and communities to resolve disputes peacefully.
- Create Southasian networks of students and young professionals committed to peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development.
We may belong to different countries, but the problems of Southasia do not stop at national borders.
Rivers cross borders. Climate change crosses borders. Pollution, pandemics, poverty, and misinformation cross borders. Therefore, our solutions must also cross borders.
The youth of Southasia can choose to inherit the conflicts of the past.
Or build the cooperation for a collective and prosperous future.
Thank you!
*Why do we write ‘Southasia’ as one word? Because our histories are intertwined, our futures interlinked, and our struggles deeply connected.
Sapan is a voluntary organisation. We connect Southasia and the diaspora, and work to build a narrative of regionalism, peace, and dialogue. Please donate tax-free to help us cover our costs.
Thank you!