Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 23: Centre for Ethics (CFE), Yenepoya (deemed to be University) being a member of the institute of United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) since 2016 celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 20 with the objective to foster and shape the understanding of peace within community and beyond.
The programme started with a welcome address by Dr Mohammad Nasir Ahmad. Dr Vina Vaswani, director, CFE delivered the opening remarks and introduced the programme agenda. The hon’ble chancellor, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Dr Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi inaugurated the event.
He stressed on the imperative of peace instruments and the role of Higher Education Institutions in fostering peace, and gave the presidential remarks. Vice principal Dr Prakash Saldanha and Dr Abhay Nirgude, dean, YMC spoke on the increasing need to adopt United Nation’s sustainable developmental goals in education. The inaugural event ended with a vote of thanks by Aarti Halwai, tutor CFE.
The session was opened by introduction of the UNAI SDG and particularly Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. During the first session, the chairperson, Lt Col (Dr) Neelam Puthran (retired), former Prof & HOD, Ophthalmology at YMC and BVUMC Pune, introduced the first speaker, Lt Col (Dr) Cynthia Arunachalam (retired) former HOD, ophthalmology at YMC who shared her perspective of peace through the lens of an army person. She differentiated the wars from state sponsored violence.
Dr Vina Vaswani, director CFE, the speaker for the second session gave a talk on 'Understanding Intergenerational Justice. She brought out theories in just war and our responsibility for future generation'. Post lunch, Dr Oran Finegan, Former head of forensic division, International Committee for the Red Cross, Switzerland gave insights on the 'Role of Forensics in peace building and reconciliation'.
He stressed on the role of Forensics beyond the binaries of Identification and accountability in a nuanced way of peace building through application of International Humanitarian Law. The programme was conducted in hybrid mode. Participants from within the university and outside, from various disciplines such as Medical, Dental, Homoeopathy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy & Forensic attended this event. Participants were given opportunity to pen down their thoughts on ‘peace’ using menti-meter.
This made the event interactive and participants expressed their thoughts freely which prompted further discussions and reflection. The programme was wrapped up with a vote of thanks by AkumaIfeanyichukwu, PhD scholar at CFE.