Rights activists yesterday observed that only a handful of youth were involved with unleashing violence in the country and it was possible to end such activities if these young people were properly motivated.
“Youths responsible for spreading violence are a minority and yet they disproportionately dominate the headlines. In reality, the vast majority of young people are eager to contribute their time and energy towards positive activities,” said Korvi Rakshand, founder of JAAGO Foundation, an NGO.
He was speaking at the launching ceremony of a nationwide awareness raising campaign titled “Stop Violence, Build a Peaceful Nation,” organised by the Democracy International at the National Press Club.
A total of 15 organisations participated in the campaign taken up on the occasion of the International Day of Non-Violence and they aim at strengthening social harmony as a counter to violence.
The campaign will continue throughout the months of October and November and during the period the participating bodies will engage in different activities to promote tolerance and unity in their communities in order to find out peaceful alternatives to violence.
“Communities will be joining together to celebrate social harmony and spread the powerful message of non-violence,” said Noel Boxer, country director for DI.
“With the spirit of the International Day of Non-Violence, we join together with our friends across the country to celebrate a month of non-violence and social harmony,” said United Nations Development Programme Country Director Pauline Tamesis.
“The campaign recognises the traditional Bangladeshi values of social harmony and tolerance as the strong foundations for Bangladesh’s bright future,” he added.
On June 15, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 2 as the International Day of Non-violence.
