Youngsters told how to build peace

24 November 2009

AN INTERNATIONAL peace builder who helped decommission thousands of guns met young people during a week of events.

Many of the youngsters were part of the Truce 20/20 project, a partnership between charities Peace Direct, and Conflict and Change. It involves young people aged from 16-21 who live in Newham and want to make a positive change in their community.

As part of the programme they learn skills to enable them to resolve conflicts, address community development and environmental issues, and meet an international peace builder from a conflict area.

They heard from Albino Forquilha, from Mozambique, who led a campaign to decommission thousands of guns after conflict in his homeland during Conflict and Change's 25th anniversary annual meeting at the Flanders Community Centre, Napier Road, East Ham. Truce 20/20 participants delivered a presentation on local peace building and shared the achievements they have created for young people.

During the week there was a "Local Meets Global" community event on policing, bringing local youth organisations, Albino and police together to share their approaches to tackling knife and gun crime at the Flanders Community Centre.

Truce youngsters from current and previous cohorts, also shared what they have been doing on the course with Albino.

They had the opportunity to spend time with Albino and ask questions in a small friendly setting in the community centre.