I see trees of green…
On September 21-22, 2024, Malaysia embraced the beauty of youth and diversity as we celebrated the International Day of Peace (IDP) through the EmpowerED Project, led by the URI Global Youth CC and supported by the URI Multiregion Capacity Building Grant. Young leaders came together to create change through Youth Leadership, Peace, and Sustainability.
Red roses too…
At the Soka Gakkai Malaysia Culture Centre, 150 passionate youths engaged in impactful discussions on empathy, leadership, and how to build a sustainable and peaceful future. Led by Sharon Vaswani and Vincent Leong, they crafted youth-led action plans to inspire their communities.
I see them bloom…
As the sun set, the event transformed into a vibrant Interfaith Music and Dance Festival, where 650 participants gathered to celebrate peace through performances from Bahá'í, Hindu, Islamic, and Soka Gakkai communities. The hall came alive with unity, joy, and cultural pride.
For me and you…
In a magical moment, the entire audience and performers joined together in a powerful rendition of “We Are the World”, reminding us that despite our different faiths and backgrounds, we are united in our commitment to peace.
And I think to myself…
What a wonderful world.
On Day 2, at the Temple of Universal Spirit, the youth engaged in a reflective photo-based activity on War and Peace. Later, they joined orphans from the local community to fill a Golden Gratefulness Jar with messages of hope and gratitude—each note a symbol of our shared vision for a better future.
The EmpowerED Project has already sparked global conversations within the URI Global Youth CC and expanded URI’s reach to new communities and religious groups across Malaysia.
Yes, I think to myself… what a wonderful world.
What started as two days of reflection, dialogue, and celebration has grown into a movement—one that will continue to connect and inspire young leaders across the globe.
