Kohima: Ajit Rajagopal, an MSW student at the North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research in Dimapur, served as India’s representative at the PEACE 2026 summit. The event took place from August 4 to August 8 in Cotonou, Benin. He joined the Peace Builders Forum India delegation for the World Social Forum.
The delegation included Rajaji, Anil Hebbar, Indira Das Gupta Cherukuni, Priya, Dr. Ravichandran, Dr. Mani, Dr. Jill Carr-Harris, Aneesh Kumar, Jenmajay Singh, and Vishwan Cherukuni. They worked alongside various partner groups to explore methods for global social change.
PEACE 2026 brought together grassroots movements, women leaders, youth, and educators. Organizers such as Rethinking African Security, Home for Humanity, Ekta Parishad, and the Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation led workshops on nonviolence and inclusive development. Participants examined how to use traditional values and economic models to boost social justice.
NEISSR emphasized that this trip supports its focus on experiential learning. The institute wants students to handle social challenges at all levels. As the school noted, these engagements bridge social work education with international movements. This visit follows a previous trip where NEISSR Principal Dr. Fr. C.P. Anto attended COP29 in Azerbaijan in 2024.
"The initiative convened grassroots movements, peacebuilders, educators, women leaders, youth, and advocates for marginalized communities," the school stated. These leaders prioritized networking and long-term collaboration to advance peace education and community development worldwide.
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