DOHA: Education and communication play a vital role in bringing lasting peace to many of the conflict ridden regions of the world, according to experts. The Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow (MLT) Conference yesterday held a special discussion on conflict resolutions highlighting the Gaza issue.

“The conflict in Gaza has touched all deeply,” said Daanish Masood from United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), New York. “One day the bombing will end. The session aims to find a concrete direction to change the situation there. Any solution to these conflicts should be long term and beneficial to the people,” he told The Peninsula.

“We try to find a practical solution rather than talk of slogans, violence and death. The initiatives that can bring peace for any conflict region is seldom discussed. A citizen to citizen relation should be established to bring long term solution. The discussion focuses on the methods charted out by various organisations to bolster the human values,” he said.

Representatives form One Voice, Global Voices Online, Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) and Al Fakhoora International Student Solidarity Campaign led the discussions moderated by Masood. The panelists stressed the long-term solutions for the problem at Gaza or any other region can only come through education and healthy communication.

“Education is a fundamental tool in enhancing the living condition of the people in Gaza,” said Dana Al Kohloud on behalf of Al Fakhoora. “The present situation in Gaza denies basic education for the children in Gaza. They have no access to knowledge and information. If the situation continues, they will have no hope for future.”

“Any solutions long or short term must be done through programme,” said Farooq Burney, Operations Manager, ROTA. “Psychological programmes looking at children and students who have suffered due to the conflict must be looked into. Our talks usually focus only on food, medicine, water and other aid. One of the most important topics that are not usually talked about is protection of education. Children are being affected severely.”

Dariya Sheikh, US Executive Director, One Voice Movement stressed on education. “The humanitarian aid should be constructive. The only solution to the problem is to focus on youth education, youth activism and equipping the young with skills and tools to be leaders of change. Programmes should bring the Palestinian and Israeli people closer,” she said. Ameera Al Husain, Editor, MENA region, Global Voices stressed the proper use of internet and other modern facility to shed light on regions which lack space or time in traditional media. the peninsula