- 07 September, 2026
Patna, September 5, 2026: A full-day regional training programme on Peace Building, Social Harmony Groups and Peace Clubs was held on 4 September at Sewa Kendra, Kurji, Patna, Bihar.
The programme brought together 28 Regional Forum Directors to strengthen their capacity to promote peace, justice, social harmony and constructive engagement within their respective communities.
The initiative was organised under the leadership of Sr. Deepika, Regional Director, and presided over by Fr. Cajetan Francis Osta, Bishop of Muzaffarpur. His presence and encouragement provided significant support to the programme.
Fr. M.C. Rajan, Secretary of the CBCI Office for Justice, Peace and Development (JPD), led the principal presentation and training sessions.
The participants reflected on contemporary challenges affecting social harmony, including social divisions, discrimination, misinformation, communal tensions and growing intolerance.
The sessions emphasised that peace should not be understood simply as the absence of conflict. Rather, genuine peace requires justice, dignity, dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect.
The discussions encouraged the Forum Directors to consider how these principles could be translated into practical initiatives at the grassroots level.
Particular attention was given to the formation of Social Harmony Groups as grassroots platforms capable of bringing people from different communities together.
Such groups can provide spaces where local concerns are identified, tensions are addressed at an early stage and relationships between communities are strengthened.
The programme also explored the role of Peace Clubs, particularly among young people and students. These clubs can encourage non-violence, empathy, dialogue, constitutional values, leadership and responsible citizenship.
Through discussions, group reflections and the sharing of experiences, participants examined ways to establish these initiatives in parishes, schools, institutions and local communities.
The programme concluded with a commitment to develop networks of peace volunteers and young peace leaders. Participants were also encouraged to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, document successful initiatives and collaborate with organisations working for justice, human dignity and peace.
The training marked an important step towards strengthening grassroots peace-building efforts across Bihar.
Its message was ultimately one of community and cooperation: creating spaces where dialogue can replace division, friendship can overcome prejudice, and young people can become active agents of peace.
By equipping Regional Forum Directors with practical approaches to social harmony, the initiative seeks to build communities in which justice, respect and reconciliation become part of everyday relationships.
Courtesy : CBCI News
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