Yenepoya University Celebrates International Day of Peace
Mangaluru: Centre for Ethics (CFE), Yenepoya (deemed to be University) being a member of the Institute of United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) since 2016 celebrated the International Day of Peace on 20 September 2024 with the objective to foster and shape the understanding of peace within community and beyond. 
The program started with a welcome address by Dr. Mohammad Nasir Ahmad. Dr. Vina Vaswani, Director, CFE delivered the opening remarks and introduced the program agenda. The Hon’ble Chancellor, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi inaugurated the event. He stressed on the imperative of peace instruments and the role of Higher Education Institutions in fostering peace and gave the presidential remarks.
Vice Principal Dr Prakash Saldanha and Dr Abhay Nirgude, Dean, YMC spoke on the increasing need to adopt United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in education. The inaugural event ended with a vote of thanks by Ms. Aarti Halwai, Tutor CFE.
The session was opened by introduction of the UNAI SDG and particularly Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. During the first session, the Chairperson, Lt Col (Dr) Neelam Puthran (Retired), Former Prof & HOD, Ophthalmology at YMC and BVUMC Pune, introduced the first speaker, Lt Col (Dr) Cynthia Arunachalam (Retired) Former HOD, Ophthalmology at YMCwho shared her perspective of peace through the lens of an army person. She differentiated the wars from state-sponsored violence.
Dr Vina Vaswani, Director CFE, the speaker for the second session gave a talk on “Understanding Intergenerational Justice. She brought out theories about Just war and our responsibility for future generations. Post lunch, Dr Oran Finegan, Former Head of Forensic division, International Committee for the Red Cross, Switzerland gave insights on the “Role of Forensics in peacebuilding and reconciliation.” He stressed on the role of Forensics beyond the binaries of Identification and accountability in a nuanced way of peace-building through the application of International Humanitarian Law. The program was conducted in hybrid mode.
Participants from within the University and outside, from various disciplines such as Medical, Dental, Homoeopathy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy & Forensics attended this event. Participants were allowed to write their thoughts on “peace” using a Menti-meter. This made the event interactive and participants expressed their thoughts freely which prompted further discussions and reflection. The program was wrapped up with the vote of thanks by Akuma Ifeanyichukwu, PhD Scholar at CFE.