In commemoration of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, a 2022 UN international Interfaith Harmony Award recipient...
In commemoration of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, a 2022 UN international Interfaith Harmony Award recipient has dedicated a week toward spreading peace education to children in local communities across Nigeria, reinforcing the universal values of peace, unity, and mutual respect.
The initiative was led by Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, National President of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, who explained that the programme aligned with the objectives of World Interfaith Harmony Week, observed annually from 1–7 February.
According to Dr. Buru, the activities were carried out under the theme “Catch Them Young,” emphasizing the importance of nurturing interfaith understanding, nonviolence, and social justice among children at an early age.
He noted that peace education equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to prevent conflict, resolve disputes peacefully, and foster social environments where diversity is respected and harmony can flourish.
Throughout the week, children were engaged through creative and participatory activities, including peace poems, songs, short videos, and narratives, highlighting the role of every child in promoting peace in schools, communities, sports fields, and other shared spaces.
Dr. Buru emphasized that peace education is particularly vital for children as they form their identities and worldviews, adding that early exposure to the values of dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation empowers them to become ambassadors of peace within their families and communities.
“When young people are taught the value of peaceful coexistence and constructive conflict resolution, they are prepared to build societies that prioritize relationships, collaboration, and collective well-being over division and competition,” he said.
He further explained that World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a global platform for encouraging mutual understanding and goodwill among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs.
“As children grow, they learn how to engage with those who may be different from them. Peace education offers a meaningful opportunity to nurture respect for human dignity and strengthen social cohesion, benefiting both present and future generations,” he added.
Dr. Buru also recalled that the United Nations encourages all Member States and stakeholders to voluntarily support the spread of interfaith harmony and goodwill among churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith communities.
In Nigeria, he said, the week was used to actively engage young people in peacebuilding initiatives and the promotion of interreligious tolerance, with plans underway to organize a football match as a symbol of unity and peaceful coexistence among diverse faith-based organizations.
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