Peace Builders: Strengthening the Youth and Schools for Lasting Peace and Social Cohesion in Amhara Region

🌍 Peace Builders in Action: Empowering Youth for Conflict Prevention & Social Cohesion in Amhara

At Admas Holistic Youth Development Association (AHYDA), we believe that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are powerful peacebuilders today. From December 12–14, 2025, we conducted a transformative training program titled:

“Conflict Prevention and Peace Building for Secondary School Students”

The training took place at Tana High Secondary School in Bahir Dar, as part of our broader initiative:

Peace Builders: Strengthening the Youth and Schools for Lasting Peace and Social Cohesion in the Amhara Region

This initiative is proudly supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).

🎯 Why We Launched This Program

The Amhara region has faced social tension, polarization, and periods of conflict that deeply affect communities — especially young people. Schools often become spaces where:

• misunderstandings escalate
• harmful narratives spread
• youths struggle to navigate conflict constructively

Our goal is to equip students with the mindset, tools, and leadership skills to:

✔ Resolve conflicts peacefully

✔ Build empathy and tolerance

✔ Strengthen school and community cohesion

✔ Promote dialogue instead of division

We believe peaceful communities begin with empowered youth.

👩🏽‍🎓👨🏾‍🎓 Who Participated?

The training brought together:

• Secondary school students
• Youth leaders
• Peace club members
• Teachers and mentors

Participants represented diverse backgrounds and experiences, reflecting the cultural richness of Bahir Dar and surrounding communities.

Their shared commitment to peace created an environment full of:

✨ curiosity

✨ collaboration

✨ mutual respect

📚 What the Training Covered

Over three impactful days, students engaged in:

🕊️ Conflict Prevention & Transformation

• Understanding root causes of conflict
• Early warning signs
• Constructive communication tools

🤝 Peacebuilding & Social Cohesion

• Leadership for peace
• Promoting unity in diversity
• Countering stereotypes and harmful narratives

🎭 Interactive Learning

• Group discussions
• Role-play simulations
• Real-life conflict scenarios
• Peer-learning sessions

Students didn’t just learn — they practiced, reflected, and shared personal experiences.

💬 What Participants Said

Many students expressed that this was the first time they:

• openly discussed conflict in a safe space
• saw themselves as active peace agents
• learned practical tools for mediation

They highlighted that the training helped them:

🌿 Manage disagreements in classrooms

🌿 Support friends during tension

🌿 Encourage dialogue at home and in the community

🌱 Building Youth Peace Leaders for the Future

This training is more than an event — it is a foundation for continuous youth-led peacebuilding.

As AHYDA, we are committed to:

🔹 Expanding peace clubs in schools

🔹 Providing follow-up mentorship

🔹 Supporting youth-driven community initiatives

Our vision is to nurture a generation that:

✨ chooses empathy over hostility

✨ builds bridges instead of barriers

✨ leads with responsibility and compassion

🙏 Our Appreciation

We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) — for supporting youth-centered peace efforts
• Tana High Secondary School — for hosting and collaborating
• Teachers, community leaders, and facilitators — for your guidance and commitment
• And most importantly — the students, whose energy and courage continue to inspire us

Together, we are planting seeds of lasting peace and social cohesion.