Faisalabad: February 9, 2013. (PCP) The government must capitalize on youth potential as peace leaders who can serve as powerful drivers of political, social and economic transformation. These views were expressed by speakers at a Seminar "Role of Youth to Promote Peace" which was organized by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Christian Study Centre (CSC), Pakistan Girl Guide Association (PGGA) and the Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), and held on 29 February 2013 at Mamukanjan in sub-district Tandlianwala of Faisalabad District. Speaking on the occasion, the project manager of the CSC, Fahmida Saleem said, "The almighty God has introduced diversity, therefore he has sent several prophets to mankind in different periods, and created different kinds of humans. His creature is not eligible to challenge the diversity created by the God.” “The people need to own, respect, embrace and celebrate the diversity among the communities rather than rejecting each other, for culture of peace and tolerance,” she added. The director of the PHD Foundation, Suneel Malik acknowledged youth as agents of peace and emphasized upon involving and partnering with young people for positive change, rather than considering them as a problem. “The hatred breeds nothing except disintegration and devastation, therefore the tendencies of extremism and discrimination can be reduced by tolerating difference of opinion and accepting people as they are,” he added. The director of the AWAM, Nazia Sardar said, “The educational curriculum has promoted sectarian disunity among people, and encourages religious intolerance which lead to severe interfaith disharmony and intolerance in Pakistan.” “The curriculum must be purged from biased material in order to make it a source of peace promotion, whereas material promoting human rights, peace, harmony and religious, sectarian & ethnic tolerance must be added in the syllabus,” she added. A Muslim activist, Amna Ehsan said, “Lack of education and ignorance also play a vital role in interfaith disharmony. When people are illiterate, they cannot really understand the essence of religious teachings and are easily instigated to stand against each other on petty issues.” A Muslim social worker, Tahir Iqbal said, “The Islam and Christianity have several common teachings promoting peace, tolerance and protection of others’ rights, therefore people should develop spirit of dialogue and harmony to remove misunderstanding among different faiths.” A Christian human rights activist, Naseem Anthony said, “Every positive social change depends upon our dialogue with self and with each other. Dialogue based on respect and reconciliation is the most effective at transforming and resolving conflict.” A Christian feminist, Shazia George said, “Peace is all about understanding each other’s perceptions, therefore people and different societies can be brought closer by not interfering or criticizing others’ religions. Creating and promoting fraternity and harmony among various communities can help ensure peace and prosperity in the society.”