I am Omang Agarwal, 19, from India. I am a student of Political Science at the University of Delhi, an activist and peace builder. I am the founder of Youth for Peace International, a peace building organisation that uses tools of education, inclusive development and gender equality. I work on building the capacities of young people to advocate for civil rights and a peaceful world. Major issues hampering peace in Asian Commonwealth nations are under-development, violent conflict, persistent poverty, rising inequality and the non-inclusion of young people.
I started my journey in social development as part of Rotary International’s Youth Wing known as Interact Clubs. I led the Interact Club of St. Joseph’s School and was later appointed as District Representative, leading all Interact clubs in nine north-east Indian states. I later started the annual South Asian Interact Club Meeting known as ActAsia which is a platform for the exchange of youth’s ideas and initiatives. Our project ‘HumAct’ with Rotary during the 2015 Nepalese earthquake was recognised by the UN Major Group for Children and Youth as a success story on humanitarian action.
Gender equality has also been a crucial aspect of my work. I have been recognised for my contribution tothe HeforShe Delhi Youth Voices Campaign, in which we raised awareness among young people about aspects of gender and its importance in modern society. I am a Commonwealth Correspondent, and I write regular articles on development and gender. Currently I am engaging with the Rotarian Action Group on Peace to involve both Interactors and Rotaractors in the Rotary family to realise the importance of peace building and to build their capacities.
I work with A World at School to Advocate about Education for all by 2030 to ensure that our aim of getting all children in school is achieved. I also work with the Youth Leader Global Team to help youth activists and workers take action on various issues in their communities.
We plan to have national symposiums to review government policies on the inclusion of young people in peace building issues. Young people should take action as per the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and become catalysts to build and sustain peace in their regions. The Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network-Asia is one such way they can get involved.