The Kashmir Journal

Peacevent Program – Cohort II | Applications Opening Soon

🕊️ Uniting Youth to Invent Peace

We’re excited to announce that Peacevent — our hybrid training program on peace leadership and development advocacy — is returning with a second edition!

Supported by the Euphrates Institute, Peacevent began as a 15-week journey exclusively for Kashmiri youth, combining virtual learning with a powerful in-person workshop led by international experts, including members of the United Nations.

💡 Now, Cohort II will expand in both reach and design — welcoming new communities, deeper learning pathways, and more opportunities for impact.

📅 Applications open June 25th!
Stay tuned to join a growing network of youth peacebuilders.

As part of our Peacevent Program, we conducted a peace education workshop at a remote school in Pulwama, Kashmir.

Continuing our institutional outreach for peace leadership education, we engaged with senior students at Basri Memorial School in Rajpora—introducing peace education as a discipline for higher studies and exploring its deep relevance in the context of Kashmir.

Our Program Coordinator, , led the session in Kashmiri, fostering meaningful interaction and local resonance.

These mini-outreach sessions across Kashmir are more vital than ever. They remain a cornerstone of our grassroots peacebuilding vision.

Through the Peacevent Program, an initiative of the Kashmir Journal for Peace, Rights, and Development, we aim to create an inclusive platform for youth-led peace leadership grounded in local realities and global frameworks.

Stay connected as we continue building a community of young peacebuilders across Kashmir.

Amid high tensions between India & Pakistan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stresses the importance of avoiding a military confrontation & offers support to any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy & peace.

“Now is the time for maximum restraint,” he added.

This week, we concluded the 15-week hybrid training program held for 50 young leaders in Kashmir on peace leadership and development rights.

Launched on National Youth Day, Peacevent was the first of its kind — combining international virtual training with an exclusive in-person workshop in Kashmir, facilitated by members of the UN community.

The closing ceremony featured a candlelight remembrance, honoring lives lost in the recent Pahalgam attack and acknowledging the harm faced by Kashmiris in its aftermath.

Peacevent, a post-PPA initiative supported by the Euphrates Institute, brought together global trainers and peacebuilders including Krista, Sylvia, Janesa, Jenny , Offuh, Mathes, Amjad, Tamana, and others who inspired and guided the participants.

The new Peaceventors — young inventors of peace in Kashmir — shared powerful reflections, deep learnings, and ideas for continued collective engagement. The Kashmir Journal team also introduced a Post-Peacevent Campaign, to be detailed soon.

Before our final module on Climate Change & Sustainability, Peacevent participants had the honor of an exclusive interaction with Amjad Saleem ()— a global leader in humanitarian action and peace-building.

Amjad, who leads the Volunteer, Youth, and Education Development Unit at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva, shared deep insights drawn from his extensive field experience. His work focuses on volunteering management, youth innovation, engagement, and education programming worldwide.

As a Peace Practice Alliance fellow of the , Amjad also reflected on the importance of personal peace practice alongside systemic humanitarian efforts.

This enriching conversation served as the perfect final expert address for our Peacevent cohort — equipping them with inspiration and grounded wisdom as they step into action!

As part of our effort to extend the Peacevent program to Kashmir’s educational institutions, we had the privilege of connecting with Dolphin International School, led by PPA alumna,

Dolphin is setting a benchmark for globally aligned, value-based education in Kashmir — combining academic excellence with a strong emphasis on character and civic responsibility.

We’re excited to collaborate with them by offering an integrated module on the fundamentals of peace studies and international career opportunities for senior classes. Together, we aim to nurture a generation of young changemakers grounded in both local realities and global vision.

Over the last few weeks, our Peacevent participants have been exploring the Right to Self-Determined Development through the lens of Kashmir. From Amartya Sen’s capability approach to decolonial and human-centered development frameworks, our discussions bridged theory and lived experience. Together, we reflected on how youth can drive development—and how development, in turn, can foster lasting peace.

These sessions were led by Irfan Pullani , our project lead and expert facilitator, who is a Member of the Group of Advocates for the Right to Development (GARtD)—a joint initiative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UPEACE Human Rights Centre. Irfan brings with him over six years of groundwork in Kashmir alongside active global advocacy on the agenda within the United Nations system.

True development cannot be imported—it must grow from within, led by the people it is meant to serve. Through Peacevent, we are helping the youth of Kashmir reclaim that power and purpose.

🌿🚶‍♂️ Introducing PeaceTrails: Journey With A Purpose 🚶‍♀️🌍

We are excited to launch , an initiative within the Kashmir Journal, designed to promote peace tourism through experiential journeys that foster community-centered engagement, intercultural learning, and collective storytelling.

✨ What is PeaceTrails?
🔹 A platform for peace tourism that fosters dialogue, understanding, and reflection.
🔹 Immersive experiences like peace photo walks, cultural encounters, and community dialogues.
🔹 A chance to explore historical and contemporary narratives of resilience and coexistence.
🔹 A movement that blends experiential learning, ethical travel, and social impact.

Whether you’re a traveler, researcher, or community leader, PeaceTrails invites you to walk, listen, and engage—because every journey can be a step toward peace.

Kashmir Journal wishes you a happy Eid Mubarak ! ✨ May this Eid bring peace, joy, and countless blessings to you and your loved ones. Let’s celebrate the spirit of togetherness, gratitude, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. ✨🌙

We had the privilege of hosting Javid Rahimli, LLM (University of Oxford) for a session on ‘The Right to Return Under International Law’ as part of , our 15-week hybrid training program. He provided valuable insights into the role of international institutions and legal instruments, linking the discussion to ongoing global crises like the Israel-Palestine conflict and mass displacement in Africa. Participants also gained practical guidance on the admission process to reputed institutions like Oxford, making it an intellectually enriching and inspiring session.

As the second half of our program focuses on Development Rights and International Law, the facilitator also connected the Right to Return to the Right to Development (RTD) by emphasizing how displacement disrupts access to economic, social, and cultural rights. Mr. Rahimli, a member of the Group of Advocates for the Right to Development, a joint initiative of OHCHR and the UPEACE Human Rights Centre, brought valuable expertise to this discussion, enriching participants' understanding of the intersection between forced displacement and development rights.