MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Muhammadiyah Department of International Relations and Cooperation has partnered with the Muhammadiyah Department of Charity Management ] (Lazismu) to launch a groundbreaking peacebuilding initiative for Palestinian youth.
The program, called “Peacebuilding Lab” is designed to empower 200 young Palestinians to become agents of change and advocates for resolving conflicts peacefully through diplomacy. Through a variety of activities, the program will equip participants with the skills and knowledge they need to promote peace and reconciliation within their communities.
At the program’s launch in Jakarta on Monday, May 27, 2024, Muhammadiyah Chairperson Syafiq A. Mughni highlighted the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex global issue that has defied resolution for many years,” Syafiq said. “It involves not only the two nations directly involved, but also other countries, international organizations, and multilateral institutions. Despite the international challenges, Muhammadiyah believes it is crucial to take action to strengthen Palestinian society and protect its youth from the psychological harm caused by the ongoing conflict.”
Syafiq emphasized the importance of addressing the trauma and despair that many Palestinian youth experience. The program aims to help them overcome these challenges, prevent them from losing hope, and stop feelings of resentment from taking root.
Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Department of International Relations and Cooperation Yayah Khisbiyah elaborated on the specifics of the Peacebuilding Lab program. She explained that the program will offer a range of sessions, including counseling to help participants heal from trauma, storytelling exercises, and catharsis techniques to release pent-up emotions. The program will also provide training to help young people identify opportunities for peace and develop a sense of hope for the future.
Yayah explained that the program’s ultimate goal is to empower and include young people as catalysts for positive change. These young people will play a critical role in transforming the conflict and strengthening the security and well-being of refugees and war victims, especially those in Gaza.
“This program is expected to make a significant contribution to the ongoing peacebuilding efforts undertaken by various partners and stakeholders,” Yayah said. “Our hope is that it will help pave the way for a future where Palestine is an independent, just, and prosperous nation.”
Yayah added that the 200 young Palestinians selected for the program will participate in intensive training focused on developing and implementing peace-oriented and sustainable educational campaigns.
“We will train these young people to become agents of change,” Yayah explained. “They will learn how to advocate for peaceful solutions through various means, such as engaging in constructive dialogue with different parties or by conducting educational campaigns to raise awareness about alternative approaches to conflict resolution. These approaches will emphasize non-violence and long-term sustainability.”
The Peacebuilding Lab Palestine initiative will focus on several key activities. First, it develops the capacity of young people and women. The program will provide training in multicultural dialogue skills, emphasizing non-violent approaches and diplomatic techniques for resolving conflicts.
Second, it raises awareness through media. The program will teach participants how to use media effectively to combat hate speech, misinformation, stereotypes, and discrimination. Third, it strengthen psychosocial resilience. The program will provide psychoeducational counseling to help young people recover from the trauma of war and build emotional resilience.
Fourth, it focuses on policy advocacy. The program will train participants in advocating for policy changes through global campaigns focused on supporting Gaza and Palestine and will include reciprocal visits between representatives of Muhammadiyah and Palestinian stakeholder partners. These visits will take place in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as well as the West Bank and Ramallah, Palestine. This cultural exchange will foster understanding and collaboration between Indonesians and Palestinians.
The Peacebuilding Lab program is scheduled to begin in June 2024 with a six-month pilot phase. The program’s effectiveness will then be evaluated to determine its future sustainability.
