URI East India region recently convened a vibrant and meaningful day-long interfaith youth training workshop in Ranchi, Jharkhand, under the inspiring theme “Voices of Unity: Empowering Interfaith Youth Leadership.” Bringing together 15 young participants between the ages of 18 and 30, the workshop created a dynamic space for dialogue, reflection, and collective learning.
The day opened with an engaging and insightful session led by the Regional Coordinator of URI East India, who guided participants through the organization’s rich history and founding vision. Youth participants immersed themselves in URI’s Preamble, Purpose, and Principles, gaining a deeper appreciation of its global mission to foster peace and interfaith cooperation. This learning experience was further enhanced by an audio-visual presentation that highlighted URI’s impactful initiatives and growth across diverse regions of the world.
A particularly powerful moment of the workshop emerged during an interactive group exercise grounded in the Appreciative Inquiry model. Participants paired up to share personal reflections on pressing social issues they felt called to address. These conversations evolved into a collective dialogue, as each pair presented their insights to the larger group. The exercise not only surfaced key areas for action but also revealed opportunities for collaboration and underscored the importance of continued learning and engagement.
Throughout these discussions, several critical concerns came to the forefront. Participants spoke candidly about the persistence of caste-based discrimination, especially within educational settings where inequities continue to affect young learners.
There was also a strong, unified call for a more inclusive and equitable education system. Voices from the North Eastern states shed light on ongoing ethnic conflicts in their regions, while also expressing appreciation for URI’s role in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and bridges across religious and cultural divides.
Adding further depth to the workshop, members from nine Cooperation Circles (CCs) shared their grassroots initiatives through compelling audio-visual presentations. These stories of community-level interfaith work offered tangible examples of peacebuilding in action, inspiring participants with both ideas and a sense of possibility.
The post-lunch session brought renewed energy, as all 28 attendees engaged in interactive activities designed to strengthen communication and teamwork. Through a lively communication game and interfaith crossword exercises, participants deepened their connections while exploring the values of collaboration and shared understanding.
As the day concluded, the workshop stood as a resounding success. Participants left feeling motivated, inspired, and eager to continue their journey. Many expressed interest in further engagement through internships with Cooperation Circles and participation in upcoming peacebuilding initiatives.
This gathering in Ranchi reflects URI East India’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders, young changemakers equipped to champion unity, dialogue, and social transformation within an increasingly diverse and complex world.
