Shanti Mitra

Peace Education, conflict resolution and interreligious dialogue in schools

Shanti Mitra (“Friends of Peace”) is a group of students with Muslim, Christian and Hindu backgrounds. Their cooperation and the friendships that result from it are already a contribution to peace in Bangladesh, where a high number of ethnic and religious groups live together. The group leads seminars on conflict resolution, called “Peace classes”, in schools. The group also organizes and conducts interfaith pilgrimages for young people from a variety of religious backgrounds. The different topics around interreligious dialog are also becoming more and more important.

How does a fair, peaceful coexistence work? This is what Shanti Mitra tries to convey to the little ones. There are no limits to the creative possibilities. Puppet theatre and flywheel are always well received...

Awareness-raising work to protect girls and women from sexual assault

According to surveys, many girls and women in Bangladesh are affected by violence. Sexual harassment, coercion and rape at home, at school, on the sports field, on the street or on public transport are on the rise. According to Amnesty International, it is very difficult to record those crimes. Official figures are not available.

The Shanti Mitra peace initiative is actively contributing to social change by raising awareness for the protection of girls and women. Workshops and training sessions in schools, public events and publications are conducted to teach young men how to treat girls and women with dignity and without violence.

Protecting creation

Every year, Shanti Mitra organizes environmental days and holds demonstrations to draw attention to the plight of our planet. Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world most affected by climate change.