On December 24, 2024, IAYSP Representative Nagma Shrestha conducted a Peace Designer Workshop at the Girls Empowered by Travel (GET) office in Maru, Basantapur, Nepal, for young women from Sankhuwasabha. The workshop aimed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of peace and practical tools to address community challenges. It began with an introduction to peace, covering the three levels of sustainable peace—inner peace, peace with others, and peace with the environment—while linking these concepts to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through reflection exercises, participants identified their personal strengths, passions, and areas for self-improvement, encouraging them to think critically about their roles in fostering peace.
The second session featured an outdoor photography activity at Kathmandu Durbar Square, where each participant received a disposable camera to capture images representing peace, culture, and community. This exercise encouraged creativity, self-expression, and a deeper connection to their surroundings. Since the photos couldn’t be developed in Nepal, Nagma brought the cameras back to the United States, eagerly awaiting the final results. This session allowed participants to see peace from a fresh perspective and express their understanding through visual storytelling.
In the final session, participants engaged in community project development, identifying local issues and designing actionable solutions. They mapped out their ideas visually and presented them to the group, receiving constructive feedback to enhance their public speaking skills. This process boosted their confidence and provided them with practical tools to create meaningful change in their communities. The workshop successfully empowered young women with leadership skills, creativity, and a sense of responsibility toward peacebuilding. Special thanks to GET Nepal and YSP USA for their support in making this impactful event possible.
