Jammu December 22 (KNS): Department of Dean Students Welfare, Cluster University of Jammu and Law School, Jammu University in collaboration with YAKJAH Reconciliation and Development Network organised a two day Virtual Hackathon for the students of PGI schools ,CLUJ and Law School, Jammu University.  Prof Manoj Dhar, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor ,Cluster University of Jammu was the Chief Guest at the Valedictory Ceremony of the event. He lauded the efforts of the department in organising the Hackathon on Women Peace builders as it would encourage the young learners to envision a gender neutral society wherein both men and women can play productive and progressive roles towards nation building. He added that it is pivotal to include women in decision making and also in key peace negotiations at all levels to ensure lasting peace. Prof Bhopinder Singh , Dean Academic Affairs, CLUJ was the Guest of Honor and announced the winning team. Prof Satinder Kumar , Director, Law School was the Special Invitee at the event. He congratulated the efforts of the organizing team for an insightful interaction which shall educate and enable youth to engage with issues related to women and peace.
In a statement issued to news gency-kashmir news service (KNS), Ms. Ashima Kaul, Managing Director and Founder, Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network , also one of the main Resource Persons, gave a formal welcome followed by an overview of the proceedings of two days. She emphasised that the objective or the Hackathon is to introduce and bring into public space, the concepts of peace building, intersectionality of peace building with women, peace and security agenda. In her sessions on understanding Peace and Peace building, participants were guided to an understanding of peace which is not the absence of conflict but enabling and working towards an eco-culture that supports equality, inclusivity, justice and where all differences can co-exist without social markers. She elaborated the role of women peace builders in strategizing for peace, and reconstructing societies to rebuild social structure, institutions and relationships.
Dr. Sapna Kamal Sangra, Sociology department, University of Jammu dwelt on the documentary film ‘Pray the devil Back to Hell’ which chronicles social unrest in the West African Republic of Liberia, where civil war has torn the nation apart and left hundreds of thousands of dead or displaced.
Following the debrief on the film, the participants were given guidelines for building a successful campaign. They were asked to focus on content (one issue in the context of women’s equality, inclusion, leadership and barriers), clarity about the content, vision, mission, sustainability, practicality, challenges and risks, how would they overcome them, what social media platform will they use and who would be their audience, partners or stakeholders.
Ms. Garima Dutt , Media Consultant and Freelance Journalist in her sessions stressed on the need to build successful campaigns around anger, fearlessness, forgiveness and nexus of power.She urged the participants to dig deeper into the root cause of women’s exclusion, discrimination and inequality.
 Mr.Sanjay Kumar, Founder Pandies theatre and an Associate Professor, University of Delhi, Ms. Mona Parthasarathi,Senior Journalist , Press Trust of India and Mr.Manish Pandey, Research and Brand Head at Josh Talks were the jury members for hackathon. The event was attended by all Deans of Faculties, Associate Dean, Students Welfare, Dr. Banpreet Kour, Cultural Coordinator, Dr. Revika Arora and Assistant Deans, Dr. Gitanjili Rajput, Dr. Sudesh, Dr. Mansi Sharma and Dr. Davinder Kour.Students Welfare Dr. Twinkle Suri, Students Welfare, CLUJ in her vote of thanks exhorted the significant role of Women Peace Practioners in scripting chapter of peace and also motivated the participants to take forward the peace building campaign for ensuring a harmonious social order.