FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 21 May 2025 *‘Peacemongers’ Call for Renewed People-to-People Engagement Between India and Pakistan* _Virtual gatherings underscore urgency of fostering regional peace through dialogue, particularly involving youth_ 21 May 2025 – The recent hostilties between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have raised alarm bells throughout the world -- and catalysed a series of meetings between ‘peacemongers’ seeking to find a way towards sustainable peace in the region and beyond. Members of Sapan, the Southasia Peace Action Network, from across the region and the diaspora have been convening online regularly to emphasize the pressing need for peace and security in the region. These conversations uphold the volunteer-based organisation’s Founding Charter, which call for ease of travel and trade in the region and collaboration in all areas. More than 105 organisations from around the region and diaspora have endorsed these guiding principles, along with hundreds of individuals. A cross-border coalition committed to advancing peace, justice, and human rights in Southasia through dialogue, collaboration, and grassroots initiatives, the network writes Sapan like a word, and Southasia as one word to emphasise the unity of the region, based on history, geography and shared struggles. Observers note that ongoing hostilities between two of the region’s largest nations, India and Pakistan, have severely impacted people-to-people connections, once a vital channel for fostering understanding and goodwill. Since being launched in March 2021, Sapan has been holding online discussions on various socio-political and cultural issues, including human rights, environment, road safety, public health and the arts, on the last Sunday of most months. Speakers at the online meetings held since the conflict erupted have taken up long-term issues like climate change, the economic cost of conflict, the social-cultural cost and generational trauma. An online appeal for India and Pakistan to Stop the Hostilities has gained nearly 7,500 signatures since it was launched last week. Several long-time Sapaners have also reflected on their own experiences with cross-border exchanges, sharing powerful stories of friendships and collaborations that left a lasting impact. They express regret that younger generations are being deprived of similar opportunities. Several such gatherings have reached a collective consensus on the need to rebuild and strengthen people-to-people ties, particularly by connecting the youth of both countries. There is also a consensus that such engagement is crucial to cultivating an environment conducive to long-term peace and regional cooperation. In this spirit, Sapan will host a special virtual meeting this Sunday where young people from around the region will reflect upon what peace means to them, May 25, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time / 7:00 p.m. Pakistan time / 7:30 p.m. India / 8 p.m. Bangladesh. The meeting aims to create space for dialogue, exchange, and mutual understanding among the next generation of peacebuilders. For more information or to register for the youth meeting, please email [email protected] https://southasiapeace.com/2025/05/21/peacemongers-call-for-renewed-people-to-people-engagement-between-india-and-pakistan/ (ends)