The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) observed International Day of Peace on Saturday at its premises here.
The YWCA organised a charcoal painting and sketching competition on this year’s theme ‘End Racism, Build Peace’.
The main objective was to create awareness that racism is destroying society and the world and that the public must join hands together in order to build peace and make the world a better place.
“The charcoal painting and sketching provides information and the narrative-like text is used to describe the story or message of division and discrimation of people with different races,” a YWCA release stated today. “But we can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism and we have a role to play in fostering peace by promoting anti-racism through education and reparatory justice.”
Seven institutions participated wholeheartedly in the competition.
The winner of the charcoal painting was Darshita Agarwala from Loreto Convent School, with Lastborn Suiam from Kiddies Corner Secondary School second and Meriiaki Louisa Lyngdoh of Loreto third. The winner of the sketching competition was Nikita Paul from St Edmund’s Higher Secondary School, with Damewanbiang Marboh from Shillong College second and Gracious AK Mujat from St Edmund’s third.
YWCA senior adviser Amy S Rangad said that International Day of Peace is observed around the world devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish and involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.
Furthermore, V Paswet, YWCA vice-president, mentioned that the association is a faith-based organisation tasked with empowering women and also to encourage them to be the true, courageous and brave leaders in making the world a better place.
