By Sheikh Arif (Dhaka Bureau)
With a firm commitment to building a humane world free from war, conflict, and nuclear weapons, a participatory joint preparatory meeting was held in Ishwardi, a sub-district town in the northern district of Pabna, Bangladesh. The special exchange-of-views meeting was organized ahead of the global campaign titled ‘4th World March for Peace and Nonviolence 2026, In My City’.
The meeting took place on July 30 in an open, natural setting under the shade of the iconic banyan tree (Amtala) at the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI) in Ishwardi. The primary objective of the meeting was to formulate detailed plans and action steps to ensure the successful execution of city-based initiatives in Ishwardi during the global campaign, scheduled to run from September 21 (International Day of Peace) to October 4 (One day after the International Day of Nonviolence). Organized by the Humanist Movement, Ishwardi Center, the meeting saw enthusiastic participation from student representatives of various local social organizations and leading educational institutions.
At the preparatory joint meeting for the ‘4th World March for Peace and Nonviolence’, the youth expressed their commitment to making Ishwardi an active part of the rising global awareness of nonviolence against ongoing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and the escalating arms race. Photo: Courtesy of Humanist Movement, Ishwardi Center.
Youth and student engagement was particularly noteworthy. Participating institutions included representatives from local social organizations ‘Manab’ and ‘Care for Humanity’, alongside student and youth delegates from Railway Nazimuddin High School, Govt. Saramarwari School & College, Ishwardi Govt. College, Ishwardi Cricket Academy, Bhasa Shahid Vidya Niketan, Maniknagar School, and Airport School.
Chaired by Masum Parvez Kollol, Coordinator of Humanist Movement Ishwardi Center and Contributor to the International Press Agency- Pressenza, the meeting engaged in deep discussions on the importance of fostering peace, nonviolence, and human values. In light of rising global geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and the escalating arms race, the youth expressed their strong commitment to making Ishwardi an active part of the global awakening toward nonviolence.
Distinguished guests present at the preparatory meeting included Decler Mendez Hague (Australia), responsible for the promotion and outreach of the ‘4th World March for Peace and Nonviolence’ in South Asia; Sheikh Mohammed Arif, Coordinator of the Humanist Movement Bangladesh Coordination Body and Panel Editor at Pressenza Dhaka Bureau; and Maruf Ul Alam, Head of Support Services and Staff Correspondent at Pressenza.
Speakers emphasized that achieving a conflict-free future and lasting peace cannot rely solely on political decisions; active participation from citizens and youth at the grassroots level is vital. They noted that this global march is not merely a symbolic event, but a living medium for embedding a culture of nonviolence across all levels of society- nespecially among the younger generation.
Addressing the South Asian promotional efforts, Decler Mendez Hague from Australia praised the enthusiasm of the local youth and highlighted the significance of this global movement. Similarly, representatives from Pressenza and the Humanist Movement underscored that such spontaneous engagement among students and social organizations in progressive towns like Ishwardi serves as a positive milestone toward realizing a ‘Universal Human Nation’.
The discussion concluded with preliminary decisions to organize a series of impactful activities in Ishwardi from September 21 to October 4, including peace marches, awareness campaigns, art competitions, and youth forums.
Sheikh Arif: Senior Journalist and Panel Editor, Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau.
