External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today underlined the need of involving the youth in political, economic and social spheres for sustainable peace and prevention of conflicts.
Swaraj, who was addressing the valedictory function of the five-day India-Asean Youth Summit here, invoked Lord Buddha's peace message, saying it was relevant even in the 21st century.
"Lord Buddha said, 'there is no higher bliss than peace.' Towards attaining this bliss we need to empower our youths who have a critical role in preventing conflicts and ensuring sustainable peace," she said.
"Youth are agents of change and critical actors in preventing conflict and building peace. Furthermore, when youths are excluded from political, economic and social spheres and processes, it can be a risk factor for violence and conflict," she said.
"Therefore, identifying and addressing the social exclusion of young people is a must for sustaining peace," the minister said.
Referring to transformation in Buddha's life, who was born a prince and raised as a prince with all the worldly comforts, Swaraj said, "This transformation came when he was young, as young as you all are. Siddharth himself became the change and as Lord Buddha devoted himself to bring about a change for betterment.
"Lord Buddha's message is as relevant in the twenty first century as it was two-and-a-half millennia ago."
"The middle path shown by Buddha, speaks to all of us. Its universality and timeless nature runs through ASEAN nations and India as a common thread," she said.
The youth have immense transformative powers and youthful energies harnessed and leveraged in the right direction can indeed put the world on course to a more sustainable future, the minister said.
"Today, the youth must reason why, debate, discuss and actively participate in shaping the discourse on polity, governance and sustainable development agendas," she said.
"It is heartening that our youth has engaged actively in debate and discussions over the past few days on a wide range topics including Innovation and Entrepreneurship, digital and IT connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and on the ways and means to enhance India-ASEAN ties," she said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has decided to hold a youth summit in all the international summits, Sushma said.
She said that the Bharatiya Pravasi Divas was held annually, but now it is being organised every two years. During this event one day is reserved for a youth summit, Swaraj said.
The India-Asean Youth Summit was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-India dialogue partnership.
It was jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, India Foundation and the state government on the commemorative year's theme 'Shared Values, Common Destiny'.
More than 200 delegates from Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and India participated in the summit.
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