December 6, 2024 – WPDI’s ongoing peacebuilding efforts in Tijuana, Mexico, continue to empower communities and inspire individuals to become agents of positive change. Our recent efforts have been concentrated in local schools and universities, where our Youth Peacemakers are able to share our unique approach to peacebuilding among youths in their formative years.
On September 24, our Tijuana team hosted a thought-provoking community dialogue with 100 university students majoring in Social Sciences, Sociology, and Literature. The dialogue, centered on the theme “How We Can All Create Positive Peace,” emphasized the importance of active participation in building peaceful communities.
The WPDI trainer led the discussion, which explored fundamental topics such as “identity,” “emotions,” and the origins of personal beliefs, many of which are learned rather than innate. Students were very engaged, sharing how meditation and stress-management tools have been instrumental in their personal development and resilience.
Carlos Reina, a teacher who attended the session, highlighted the long-standing relationship between WPDI and the university, saying, “We continue to develop programs with our students to work on skills that make them happy and feel calm. Thank you for this talk.”
One of the students, Cecilia, reflected on the importance of the session, noting, “Human rights are important. Dignity and respect are vital, and we must not take them for granted. These are vital skills to become leaders in our community.” Another student, Mayren, expressed how transformative leadership resonated with her peacebuilding journey, stating, “Transformative leadership looks to create change, and I have learned that in my peace-seeking journey. Positive leadership is important.”
The dialogue not only enriched the students’ understanding of peacebuilding but also inspired them to integrate these values into their academic and personal lives.
In tandem, on September 19, WPDI began our peacebuilding collaboration with Pablo L. Martínez Primary School, welcoming 56 pupils across four groups. The school principal warmly greeted the WPDI team, followed by an introduction from the Program Manager, who outlined the goals of the initiative. The session continued with the Conflict Resolution Education trainer presenting the curriculum and setting expectations for the program, sparking enthusiasm among the students during an interactive Q&A session.
Sara, an 11-year-old participant, shared her excitement about the program, saying, “I don’t know a lot about peace, but I am happy to learn how I can achieve it. I know there is a lot of chaos, and I want to work to eliminate it.” Another student, Joel, aged 12, expressed a similar eagerness, remarking, “I want to learn about other things, aside from Math and Spanish. This will also be helpful for my life and my community, so I am excited!” The session marked the beginning of an important journey for these young students, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to navigate challenges and contribute to a culture of peace.
These initiatives demonstrate WPDI’s dedication to fostering understanding, resilience, and leadership in individuals of all ages. The primary goal of this initiative is to lay the foundation for a more peaceful and cohesive community in Tijuana.