Cultures of Peace 2019

The purpose of the Cultures of Peace festival is to create an intervention in this state of affairs in the Northeast by highlighting the very thing that mainstream media is missing. Through the festival programme, it hopes to bring the peoples and cultures of the Northeast to the attention of the general public in the rest of India, and indeed to bring the northeastern states closer to each other. The main idea behind this venture is that cultural exchanges are a way to build peace, and also go a long way in breaking down the boundaries between ‘self’ and ‘other’ — or in this case, between the ‘mainland’ Indian mainstream, and the more alienated Northeast. The focus of two days’ discussion will be on Transcending borders and celebrating peace.

DAY I: December 16, 2019
Hotel Japfü, Kohima

10:00am – 10:20am: Introductions

10:30am – 12:30pm: Session 1
Lecture on Transcending Borders: Crossing Cultural Barriers by Sonam Dechen

The idea of transcending borders continues to test the human spirit of the 21st century. While technological and communication advancements have made significant contributions in enabling interactions between cultures, the primary challenge to embrace diversity and rise above borders remains distant. This lecture on Transcending Borders: Crossing Cultural Barriers will explore how lived values of co-operation, communication and compassion are intertwined and complementary in engaging and crossing cultural barriers.

12:30pm—1:25pm: Lunch

1:30pm – 3:30pm: Session 2
Transcending Borders: Cultivating Dialogue between Cultures

Pradip Phanjoubam
Xonzoi Barbora
Sonam Dechen
P Ngully

Moderated by Rosemary Dzuvichu

In situations where borders—on the map and on the mind—have been instrumental in conditioning and shaping relationships between cultures, the outcomes are usually one of conflict, distrust, discrimination and stereotypes. The idea of a dialogue itself ruffles the status quo. This interactive session on Transcending Borders: Cultivating Dialogue between Cultures will stimulate critical thinking and provoke a praxis of dialogue between cultures in re-defining, re-thinking and re-creating new relationships among neighbours.

DAY II: December 17, 2019
Hotel Japfü, Kohima

10:00am – 12:00pm: Session 3
Transcending Borders: Exploring A New Ecology in the North East

Seno Tsuhah
Dolly Kikon
Linda Chhakchhuak
Kaustubh Deka

Moderated by Xonzoi Barbora

The session on Transcending Borders: Exploring A New Ecology in the North East is an attempt to visualize, imagine, talk and interact about the North East and its varied problems in a new way: by seeing people in their whole contexts, their natural and cultural environments. Rather than approaching the region from our narrow and entrenched perspectives, this session seeks to deliberately explore a new ecology (human and environment) in the North East, imagining futures for the region and building connections with movements and peoples elsewhere.

12:00pm—12:45pm: Lunch

12:50pm: Departure from Hotel Japfu to Kigwema Village

1:30pm – 3:00pm: Session 4, Kigwema Village
Transcending Borders through Sharing Stories

Human stories are at the heart of change. Stories cut across differences and connect cultures and peoples. Transcending Borders requires a decolonizing methodology, and stories by people and from people provide the pathway towards a new methodology, one foregrounding the role of narratives and of human exchange. The Transcending Borders through Sharing Stories will focus on storytelling.

4:00pm onwards: Reflections and dinner, Tipfü Retreat

Reflections and exploring ways forward, followed by dinner hosted by The Morung Express.

Information:

Chok Tsering
Program Co-ordinator, Democracy & Dialogue
E: chok.tsering@in.boell.org