In a world that feels more divided than ever, the need for peace has never been more urgent. I had the opportunity to sit down with two inspiring TWU students, Lyndsey Darichuk and Samuel Gokul, who are already making waves of change throughout our community. These two students are only in the third year of their undergraduate degrees and have already travelled all the way from Vancouver to Bangkok, Thailand to attend the Global Peace Summit. This event was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok over three days. Individuals from around the world gathered to further learn about the need for lasting peace.

MH: Can you share about your experiences attending the Global Peace Summit and what motivated you to attend?  

LD: Attending the Global Peace Summit was an incredible experience. It gathered around 400 to 450 individuals from many different backgrounds, all passionate about peacebuilding. I was motivated to attend because I aspire to work in global human rights, particularly for women in conflict zones. The lineup of speakers, the women from these areas of conflict, was something I felt I needed to learn from.  

SG: For me, this summit was something unique. It was an opportunity to engage with people who have faced unimaginable challenges. Hearing their stories provided me with perspectives on real issues that I never would have imagined.  

MH: What was it like stepping into the United Nations Conference Centre on the first day? 

LD: The moment we arrived at the summit, I was struck by the environment. Being escorted by police to the United Nations Conference Centre was surreal. The security checks and the grandeur of the venue really set the tone for the gravity of the discussion we were about to engage in. It truly was a mixture of excitement and intimidation.  

MH: What was one of the most impactful stories you heard during the summit? 

SG: There was the story of two speakers from the organization Combatants for Peace. One man was an Israeli soldier and the other man was a Palestinian soldier. They almost shot each other but chose peace instead. Their journey of starting a peace movement together was incredibly powerful to me. 

LD: One story that stood out to me was from Lejla Damon, who was born because of wartime sexual assault in Bosnia. Hearing her talk about the stigma she faced and how it affected her relationship with her mother was heartbreaking. Her story is inspiring and further reinforces my commitment to global human rights, especially regarding women’s rights.  

MH: What were some other conversations that took place? 

SG: Over the three days, the United Nations Conference Centre was filled with testimonies from various speakers. The main goal was to discuss how to engage with peacebuilding efforts and the importance of understanding different perspectives. I made friends with a genocide survivor who is now a speaker. We exchanged contact information, and it was remarkable to hear his stories firsthand. 

LD: I met many interesting people, including students from Singapore who were very curious about Canada. I also connected with a roommate from Abu Dhabi, which was a great opportunity to learn about her culture. As for the sessions, there were many key figures, such as professors who shared their insights on creating lasting peace.

What I learned is that every small action contributes to a larger movement.

MH: How do you see this experience impacting your future careers? 

SG: This summit reinforced the idea that peacebuilding is a collective effort that transcends individual disciplines. Thus, it is important for everyone regardless of their background to engage with global issues.  

LD: Hearing these stories has given me a face to connect with conflicts that I want to address. It motivates me to focus on women’s issues in my career and reminds me of the importance of understanding the human side of these challenges.  

MH: What advice would you give to students at TWU regarding engagement with global issues?  

SG: You do not need to be in international studies to be involved in peacebuilding. Everyone can contribute through their own fields, whether it is art, nursing or any other discipline.  

LD: I encourage students to take the time to read and stay informed about what is happening in the world. Even small actions can lead to major changes in any community.  

Lyndsey and Samuel remind us that you do not have to study international relations to contribute to lasting peace. Their experiences at the summit show that anyone can play a role in creating a better world. As they share their stories, I encourage readers to reflect on how they, too, can help foster peace in their own communities. After all, the next generation of leaders is ready to step up and inspire change, and in times like these, the voices of Lyndsey and Samuel are not just important—they are essential.