Amir Mohamed Mahmoud Tah - EGYPT
Legal investigator
The Presidency of the Egyptian
Agricultural Sector

I live in the Middle East and I know what is war. Young people have been the soldiers in those wars, and today we must be soldiers of peace. To maintain peace in some areas requires of young people the capacity to share our knowledge of cultures. We must know each other, we must know about our origins, our religions, our homelands. We should all be aware of one fact: Regardless of sex, color, origin, religion we are human beings and live in one world.

I suggest that young people make the effort in spreading the culture of peace in our country. We must propose to the Governments that the study of peace and human rights in our schools and universities must be a priority. We must promote a culture of religions and affirm that all religions complement each other. I suggest that respective governments establish Institutes for Peace Studies in the Middle East, Europe, and America.

In the end I hope to achieve for future generations a better future and to protect them from the ravages of war."

Edward Musau Mbwika - KENYA
Director
New Light Youth Association

Society's complex problems stem from many sources: economic changes, the environment, social welfare, population, technology, and family structure to name a few. With the support of other international organizations and local organizations to our New Light Youth Association organization, I hope to instigate further innovations in addressing the needs of today’s and tomorrow's youth.

Having experienced the political violence here in Kenya after the election,we as a group had to take part in some peaceful ralies and community development projects to bring together the affected people of post election violence,

New Light Youth Association supports the internally displaced people in the country by giving them moral support and distributing food that is availed by the Government.

As a Young Ambassador for peace from my country I hope to leadby example and preach to the youths and other people in the community the importance of peace in the country.

Lilian Kamau- KENYA
DS-Max Youth Foundation

I have experienced first hand the effects of conflict that my country,Kenya, faced in the 2007 election.
I,therefore,together with a group of youths under the umbrella of DS-Max Youth Foundation, have decided to stand for and promote peace through civil education and mobilizing the youth through  community projects and serving others as part of the vocation. As a youth, I believe that the time to change is now! To walk together with other youths and share ideas of how to bring about peace through one family under God. A family that cuts across race, religion,gender,age,culture and gender.  I stand for what the Youth Federation for World Peace preaches and advocates: to serve God, my country and my neighbor.

 
"I believe that we are all one people and we are called to serve humankind. It saddens me to see people killing each other for no good reason. Young people are dying all over the world as a result of baseless arguments and some have no idea of what is happening. As a young person, I have been privileged to mentor few young Somalia citizens and I realized that I have the potential of becoming an agent for change.

I do believe that we need to critically and creatively analyze situations and issues so that we can find out the root cause of all these problems. The ultimate goal is to have a globe of friends, where we can travel and think independently without fear or prejudice.

Another reason as to why I want to be a member of your initiative is to identify myself with people who share something in common. My desire has been and still remains:  to make a difference in someone’s life through such initiatives. I have recently started a mentorship network  targeting young people in high school. One of the pillars of our network is the spirit of peace building and reconciliation. We urge young people to  uphold the spirit of brotherhood so that we can have a sustainable global peace initiative.
Your organization will not only help me realize my dream, but it will give me insights on some fundamental principles under which peace and reconciliation is laid."

Kabiri Wikina- NIGERIA
Kono Cooperative Society

My desire is to engage in activities that will integrate gender perspective in all policies, plans, and actions  directed toward the improvement of life and development of youths. I am interested in enriching the youths in my community, country and worldwide with  knowledge and tools so that the youths in my country will become initiators and innovators in improving their living standards and bringing positive change in their lives. Peaceful change is needed especially in the Nigerdelta region where I come from. I will be humbly honoured and fulfilled with this opportunity to serve as a Young Ambassador for Peace.

Mo'min Ibraheem Alzyoud - PALESTINE
Israel/Palestine Center For Research & Information

 "I began my university studies in 2000, the year in which the Second Intifada started in Palestine. In that year a group of friends and I decided to work against the occupation in a non-violent way. Our aim was to end the strife and to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, living peacefully beside Israel."

We established an association called Palestinian Youth for Peace and I was elected its President. We were very disappointed when the peace process stopped but we were determined to work harder to stop the suffering on both sides and the bloodshed.

We have been struggling for over 60 years with no result and I strongly believe that the time has come to review our policies and strategies to revolve this conflict. The Palestinian Youth for Peace Association joined the IPCRI and Sulha organization in 2000.  We are still looking for partners among Israeli young people and students, to work with us as a team and to make our common voice heard against the war and occupation, ensuring peace for our children and future generations."

Muhammad Asad Jappa - PAKISTAN
Founder/CEO
Anwar Jannat Memorial Foundation

"The world today is in search of a new culture and a common system of values and new behavioral patterns for individuals, groups and nations, because, without them, the major problems of international and internal peace cannot be solved.

In a period of accelerated change marked by intolerance, racial and ethnic hatred, the spread of fundamentalism and growing disparities between the rich and the poor, action strategies must aim both at ensuring fundamental freedom, peace, human rights, and democracy and at promoting sustainable and equitable economic and social development, all of which have an essential part to play in building a culture of peace."

from "The Role of Young Leaders in Promoting Peace and Development"

Bangnam Eyoum Fuh - CAMEROON
President
Well Society

 "It is a privilege for me to be chosen as one of those who are committed to fostering peace in the world. We all share the same earth and breath the same air. No matter what our color may be, no matter what religion we may be practicing or no matter which nation we come from, we are all interconnected.

We may have several religions and worship in several ways but we all worship the same God in several ways, who is the creator and parent of all mankind.

The principle of living for the sake of others is so important in my everyday work, for a person who understands this principle, that is the beginning of wisdom.

I believe that a man who lives just for himself is a failure, even if he gains much wealth, power or position. To be successful in life we must forget about ourselves and focus more on others. If that is done, then we shall hardly have wars or conflicts on earth.

I also know that inter-religious and international cooperation are essential to building a world of genuine and lasting peace. This is very true especially for people like us who are eager to go to the end of our mission in peace building around the world.

Dr.Amira Mostafa - EGYPT
Executive Director
Arab World Center for Democratic Development

 
"Afghanistan has passed many years of civil war, distrust and oppression. There is a vital need for the elements of peace to work at the local and national level on peace and the reconciliation process.

Currently, I am running a network of young Afghans called Young Leaders Forum. This forum is a network of young Afghan politicians who are interested in socio-political issues in Afghanistan. In this program we go to the provinces and provide other youth and civil society actors education and democracy, state building and peace. As one responsible for this project, it would be interesting for me to see how other young people work in their countries in order to bring peace. I would like to learn from their experiences and share mine so I can implement a better and effective peace building program in Afghanistan."

Ammar M.S.Alghuraby - IRAQ
Chairman
No Borders Humanity

Mohammad Safi ul Alam - BANGLADESH
Chairman
Youth Foundation of Bangladesh

"The Youth Foundation of Bangladesh was registered in October 2009 to support youth development through programs such as employment training, drug education, environmental awareness, water resource management, family relations, and agricultural development.

We also plan to sponsor cultural programs like drama, concerts, and Youth fairs every year where young people can gather and know learn from each other's work. Youth Foundation of Bangladesh hopes join with other Young  Ambassadors for Peace for domestic and global projects to educate and empower young leaders."

David K. Takawira - ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe State Task Force Representative
Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies Africa Network

 "My objective is to develop and acquire skills that would help me analyse and understand conflict, practice skills and make a positive  mpact in my society. As such getting the opportunity to be a young ambassador would enble me to share my skills and promote peace in my community.

Participating as a young ambassador arms me with the crucial skills needed to transform the leadership thinking of Zimbabweans and state organs from a military or war mentality to a position where we believe that our ideas are greater than the gun barrel. A democracy can be achieved only through a peaceful resolution of conflicts, and in this way we
can become a stronger people."

Zakaria el Hamel - MOROCCO
Founder/President
Youth for Peace and Dialogue between Cultures

"From my interest in interfaith understanding and religious tolerance, I fullfield my dream by creating and launching an organization with its mission of building a world where young people from different religious backgrounds can come to gather to create understanding and respect. Youth for Peace and Dialogue between Cultures has participated and organized several activities for youth in thd few months since its establishment, including our  participation at the International Youth Forum for Intercultural and Interrelegious Dialogue in Ukraine in 2008. I was personally honored by Moroccan King Mohammed 6, who has appreciated our iniatives and noble work.

We currently have a project with the Peres Center for Peace to support children with story time and maintain cooperation with interfaith organizations worlwide, such as  theTony Blair Foundation, Sydny Peace Foundation, and Hand in Hand.

I am on the Moroccan planing committee for the World March for Peace,  a global effort to raise our voices for peace and nonviolence that will travel to 100 countries with an estimated 1 million participants."