Sanawar collaborates with United Nations for “RiseUp4Peace” workshop
As the world experiences increasing conflicts, crises and inequalities; over hundred and twenty students focused on Arts and Sustainable Development Goals(SDG16) from eight neighboring schools including the host school, congregated at The Lawrence School, Sanawar to attend a two-day workshop conducted in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) amid waves of happiness, creativity and self-discovery.
The participating Schools included Army Public Schools Dagshai, St. Mary’s Convent- Kasauli, Kasauli International Public School, MRADAV Public School- Solan, Government Senior Secondary School, Kasauli, Government Senior Secondary School-Sanawar, Government Senior Secondary School, Dharampur and the host school, The Lawrence School, Sanawar.
In the wake of the profound impact on young people of increasing conflicts, crises and inequalities; UNODC is driving RiseUp4Peace, a new initiative, as a “coalition of education partners” with The Lawrence School, Sanawar. The RiseUp4Peace Initiative seeks to build a vibrant community to strengthen education on peace, integrity, and the rule of law. The initiative is being driven with key educator partners from over 35 countries.
Expressing his satisfaction over this workshop, the Headmaster of the host School, Himmat Singh Dhillon, said, “Sanawar is committed to taking forward the pedagogical goals of National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework in the right earnest. This workshop is a testament to the fact that Art Integration and Inter-disciplinary approaches are immensely effective in educating students on significant issues such as peace, justice, globalization as well as glocalisation. Mainstreaming education on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and specifically on SDG-16 is crucial in addressing vulnerabilities arising from drugs and crime, violence and mental health among youth.”
The workshop for SDG16 under the RiseUp4Peace initiative aims to engage students in exploring creative avenues for promoting peace through various art forms such as art, sculpture, dance, music, and drama. During the two days, the participating students were encouraged and empowered to understand their rights, make ethical decisions, challenge injustice, and promote fairer communities. Students used the power of Art as a transformative tool for social change and promoting peace. Through interactive sessions and collaborative activities, participants learnt how to utilize their artistic talents as a powerful tool for advocating peace and fostering social change. Students deliberated on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) -16 that is Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
During the first session of the 2-day workshop, the students were sensitized about the idea and need of (SDG) 16 after which they were divided into sub groups focusing on various forms of visual and vocal art which were-The Illuminators (music group), Creators (dance group,) Innovators (sculpture group) and Inspirers (Art group). Participants of all these groups freely articulated their views about (SDG) 16 through different preferred mediums of creative arts. The young students were ably facilitated by the two resource persons Arjun Kochhar, a Delhi based artist and Samarth Pathak, Communications Officer (South Asia and Regional Focal point (Youth and Education, UNODC), Regional Office for South Asia.
In the lead up to the workshop, two online Pre-workshop sessions (2 hours each) were also conducted to sensitize students about the Sustainable Development Goals and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively engage in the art workshop activities.
In the concluding ceremony, the students of the school presented a cultural show of classical dance that had the audience spellbound. Marco Teixeira, Regional Representative, UNODC Regional Office for South Asia graced the concluding ceremony as the chief guest. Rejoicing over this collaboration and success of the workshop, he said, “This Sanawar-UNODC partnership is true materialization of the SDG 16. UNODC will make sincere efforts to amplify the voices of students demanding a better world free of violence, justice and inequalities.” The Guest of Honour was Sataya Bhusan, working in the International Relations Division, NCERT. “NCF prescribes Art in Education as a pedagogy that will go a long way in building a vision and kick starting a mission towards a world beset with peace, justice and strong institution” said Bhusan. Samarth Pathak, Communications Officer (South Asia and Regional Focal point (Youth and Education, UNODC), Regional Office for South Asia and Arjun Kochhar, an Art expert and senior fellow with Government of India in the category of Indian Classical Music, were the special guest of the closing ceremony function. Mr. Samarth Pathak addressing the gathering said, “Art can be most potent healer and harbinger of the peace and harmony we to see around us.” The Headmaster of the Lawrence School, Sanawar, Himmat Singh Dhillon, felicitated the guests and made a passionate appeal to work towards making this world a better place to live.
