Young peacebuilder shines at high-level UN conference, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Manila

Young peacebuilder shines at high-level UN conference

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON THE PEACE PROCESS-FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018

MANILA, May 8, 2018 - Farah Ali Ghodsinia is a peacebuilder from Marawi.

She is younger than most who carry that advocacy, but Farah stands out because of her passion and her ability to inspire others to support her call.

When it was time for the charismatic youth leader to present her cause to delegates of a recent high-level meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, she made sure she came prepared - and that she would make an impact.

Aware that it was not often young people are given the chance to speak at such a high-profile conference, she came dressed in a beautiful malong and used it as a powerful illustration that linked the conference to her central message.

Throughout these dialogues, I feel that what I'm wearing today called the malong represents many of the points that have been discussed, she said, particularly on women and minority groups.

This Malong is hand-woven by the women of my community in Lanao. Like the presence of UN women today, I believe that we actually recognize the importance of integrating more women in the decision-making processes of peacebuilding, she said.

Farah said this is especially true when conflict affects a certain area. Recently, a war happened in my region, and our city today, Marawi, is now completely in ruins. This has been one of the worst devastations that happened in our country, she said.

Recognizing the fact that conflict tends to create greater adverse results on girls and women, Farah said national governments need to be more gender-sensitive when they craft relief and rehabilitation programs in conflict-affected areas.

It is important that we include more young women - and women in general - in the decision making process, recognizing the vital representation they give in their communities, she said.

Farah likewise urged the conference delegates to provide greater support to the youth who will one day become instrumental in community-building.

Young people are the missing piece in tackling global challenges, she said.

I believe that investing in our youth and seeing them as partners of peace and security will be of benefit to us -- to the old ones, the young ones and to the future [generations], she added.

Pointing back at the cloth she was wearing, Farah declared: Just like this malong, we can see different threads, different colors interwoven together, to create a beautiful and strong piece.

I feel that this actually represents many of the topics mentioned at the high level meeting -- integrating and weaving together different stakeholders, different factors that we can better attain and sustain peace, she said.

Amidst our diversity, we stand united in peace and security, she concluded.

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