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An article from the Angola Press Agency

The 2nd international conference on the culture of peace in Africa, which ended Monday [December 12] in Luanda, is a testament to Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos’ commitment to promoting durable peace on the continent, said the Director of the Regional Office UNESCO Multisectoral Program in the Countries of Central Africa, Felix Iyé.

A cultural event during the 2nd international conference on the culture of peace
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The representative of the United Nations Fund for Education and Culture (UNESCO) was speaking at the ceremony of the event sponsored by the Eduardo dos Santos Foundation (FESA), in celebration of his 20th birthday and his 73 year old patron, José Eduardo dos Santos.

Speaking to representatives of more than a dozen African countries, Cameroonian Félix lyé said that the event is a sufficient testimony of Angola and President José Eduardo dos Santos, in favor of promoting the culture of durable peace in Africa.

He added that in the world-wide concept of education and citizenship there is a conviction that peace can not have a lasting basis if respect for all is not encouraged in ways that foster a sense of belonging to a common humanity and help learners to become Citizens of the world, responsible and active.

The event, which was opened by Education Minister Pinda Simão and closed by his Youth and Sports counterpart, Albino da Conceição, was attended by representatives of the networks of research institutions to promote a culture of peace in Africa, led by Fesa, and Of other institutions, Cameroon, South Africa, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Senegal, Congo, Nigeria, Tunisia, Belgium, Botswana, Gabon, Uganda, Niger, among others.

The 2nd conference, a social object of Fesa, addressed the “prevention of violence and the promotion of a culture of peace in electoral period in Africa: What contributions of the network of foundations and research institutions.”

He also discussed the “role of young people in the prevention of violence and the promotion of a culture of peace in the electoral period” and a presentation was made of the campaign for the culture of peace in Central Africa: Two different words, one language: Peace [See CPNN articles from July 11 and July 20, 2016].

( Click here for the Portuguese original.)

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Question related to this article.

The Luanda Biennale: What is its contribution to a culture of peace in Africa

Will UNESCO once again play a role in the culture of peace?

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The 2nd international conference for the promotion of peace in Africa was held under the motto Prevention of Violence and Pormotion of the Culture of Peace in the Elietoral period in Africa.

[The following is added from another article from the Angola Press Agency

At the 2nd International Conference on the Culture of Peace in Africa, Education Minister Pinda Simão reaffirmed that the country has accepted the challenges of embarking on the Unesco Operational Strategy2014 / 2021, which identifies peacebuilding through the formation of a society Inclusive, peaceful and resilient, with a goal to maintain peace.

He added that at the same time there was a growing sense of responsibility and solidarity with other African peoples, such as coordinating efforts in the Great Lakes region, the Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau and other territories seeking peace.

In this regard, he recalled that the concept of a culture of peace was born in Africa during the international conference on peace and the spirit of men organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO in 1998 in Côte d’Ivoire).

Elucidating that the culture of peace consists in developing values, attitudes and behaviors that reflects and favors the coexistence and partnership founded on the principles of freedom, justice and democracy in all human rights, tolerance, solidarity, rejecting violence and dedicating itself to Prevention and conflict.

“As having its root causes and problem solving through dialogue and negotiation to ensure full exercise of its rights, as a member of participation in the process of development of the person and society,” he said.

For the minister, peace is a deeply rooted desire in humanity. It is the inspiration of a reconciled society and is the condition of a decent life, because to be human peace is not a natural process but culture. Therefore, it needs to be built, consolidated and cared for, educating for peace.

“Pope Paul VI reinforced the idea of ​​peace by presenting peace as the new face of development. This is not a ready thing is a continuous make, it is a dynamic and permanent process that affects all people and all institutions, “he stressed.

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Excerpts from a report sent to CPNN by Patrick Mulemeri, Congo Peace Network (translated by CPNN)

For the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, activities were held September 21, 2016, in the great hall of MWANGA college. 271 people attended, mainly composed young members of the CPN clubs [Congo Peace Network], their families, guests from partner organizations (Christian AID, UNJHRO, Counterpart International …), the delegation of the University students for peace and social sciences in Butare in Rwanda, as well as local authorities and young people from different local churches.

Six young local musicians began the celebration
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After presentations of music, poetry and literature and accompanied by an exposition of artwork for peace, there were a series of speeches for peace.

Speeches by young university peace activists from Butare

The students from the Protestant University of Butare, which is in partnership with CPN, were represented by their delegate who spoke about peace in a regional context, as necessary for security, development and freedom. The benefits are not only for everyone at the present time, but above all for generations to come. They demand peaceful coexistance, because, as Gandhi liked to say, an eye for an eye will make us all blind.

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(Click here for the original version of this article in French)

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

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Speech by youth from CPN clubs

The CPN youth speech criticized how young people are being manipulated and used by invisible players to destroy their own lives and society; instead, young people should be involved in the country’s development projects. They congratulated CPN for its training which makes them a vector of peace for development and rehabilitation of the country.

Speech for peace in English by a CPN youth.

A young CPN member read his speech in English. Beginning with decrying what happened in Kinshasa during the month of peace, he commented that while we commemorate the international day of peace, there are those in the refugee camps who suffer in all kinds of weather conditions after being forced to abandon their houses and their fields.

What we are living in the North Kivu province is far from “peace” because every second there are violations of human rights, murder, massacre, murder, kidnapping etc. Whole communities are being killed. We are told they are in conflict, although for decades they lived harmoniously together. Peaceful cohabitation between ethnic communities would not be a problem, were it not for invisible hands that work in the shadows to destroy peace.

Presentation of the book “1000 Youth Peace expressions of CPN”

The celebration of International Peace Day was also an opportunity for CPN to present the book “1000 Youth Peace expressions” which conveys the youth’s expressions of peace through drawings, essays, poems and music.

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A survey by CPNN

The following events were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 17-14 under the key words “International day of peace” and “Journée internationale de la paix.” It is possible that there were articles in other local languages that are not listed here. For events elsewhere in the world, click here.

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As seen on the map above, there were articles about 16 events in 15 African countries.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

Burkina Faso: The Association of veterans, retired military, widows and orphans of war marked the event with a walk for peace. Who better than them can appreciate the value of peace?

Mali: The Malian Federation of Clubs , Centers and Associations of UNESCO, in collaboration with the GENOVICO program, commemorated the day with a panel discussion on the theme: “Culture of peace in schools and universities.”

Senegal: The world-renowned singer Youssou N’Dour sent a strong message to the world. “On 21 September 2016, I invite all nations and peoples to cease hostilities, and to eliminate causes of conflict.”

Madagascar: The ROTARY Club of Antananarivo Analamanga Ainga and the Regional Tourist Office marked the day by distributing pots of honey in the Garden of Antaninarenina. Traditionally, honey is a symbol of abundance and wholeness in the Malagasy society.

Togo: Togo- WANEP in collaboration with the Peace and Security Network for Women in ECOWAS held a round table to involve women in the peace process and development in Togo and elsewhere.

Casamance, Senegal: The Women’s platform for peace in Casamance, in the company of their sisters from Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, organized a series of activities around the theme of “The sustainable development goals as components of peace”

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(Click here for the original version of this article in French)

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

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Rwanda, Burundi and DRC: Fifteen hundred young people from Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo met in Goma to discuss peace. They took part in workshops on peace as well as a charity concert.

Algeria: On the occasion of the international Day of peace, the wilaya of Mostaganem organized a ceremony for the Emir Abdelkader prize, given to three personalities who contributed to the promotion of peace: Federico Mayor from Spain, Raymond Chretien from Canada and Lakhdar Brahimi from Algeria.

Dungu, Haut-Uélé, DRC: Over eleven thousand young students from Dungu in Haut Uélé province were sensitized on the culture of peace, during a workshop organized by the Youth Forum for the development of Dungu.

Guinea: The Convention of non-state actors of Guinea ( CANEG) and the African Crisis Group (ACG), two organizations of the civil society, organized a forum on peacebuilding in Guinea.

Benin: The executive president of the Pan African Social Prospects Centre, Albert Tevoedjre, called on Africans to learn to live together with a view to establishing lasting peace on the continent.

Nigeria: In collaboration with Edizwine Bar, the Coalition of youth leaders of the Niger Delta organized a peace march with a concert featuring top talent and regional artists.

South Sudan: The United Nations’ Funds, Programmes and Agencies, and the peacekeeping mission organized a number of events across the country, in collaboration with the National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation (NPPR) and other non-governmental organisations; alongside the launch of the 100 days of peace activism; a platform for all voices calling for peace, healing, and reconciliation to unite and send powerful messages to leaders and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.

Liberia: Delivering the keynote address at the indoor ceremony of the International Day of Peace held at the City Hall of Monrovia, The Executive Director of the Peace Building Office, Edward Mulbah, said that while Liberia had made tremendous progress made over the years to address the root causes of the 14 years of civil war, it was important to know that there were still challenges.

Rwanda: According to the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the day brings together several non-governmental organisations, international peace organisations, religious leaders and the local communities under the theme, “Building Blocks for Peace: The Role of the Youth in Promoting Sustainable Peace and Development.”.

South Africa: In partnership with UN Volunteers and ACCORD, students from Boston Media House and the Tshwane University of Technology interacted with peacekeepers in gaining a better understanding of the work of the UN in conflict resolution, peace and security.

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An article from Independent Online – South Africa

Johannesburg – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma, has called for the “silencing of the guns” in Africa as the world commemorates International Day of Peace. “Today, Africa joins the rest of the world in marking the International Day of Peace or – Peace Day. Today, the African Union is engaging its Member States, and all its partners at political, institutional, private sector, civil society and community levels, to encourage all citizens to rally to the core of ‘silencing the guns’ campaign in Africa by 2020,” read a Wednesday press release by the AUC Peace and Security department.

caption: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma, has called for the silencing of the guns in Africa as the world commemorates International Day of Peace. File picture: Salvatore Nolfi. Credit: EPA

This year’s theme for Peace Day is: “The Sustainable Development Goals; Building Blocks for Peace.”

Many AU Member States and their leaders are increasingly taking ownership of the SDGs, but more importantly of Agenda 2063: Africa’s blueprint for economic growth and social transformation.

“However, let us not forget that for as long as the gunfire continues to disrupt the tranquility of our blossoming societies and haunt the safety and security of our citizens, particularly of our women and girls, we will not achieve these noble aspirations for our people,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

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What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

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It is with this in mind that, the African Union declared 2016 the, “Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the Rights of Women”.

“It is disheartening that, in 2016, I continue to receive reports of incidences of sexual violence meted out against women and girls as a weapon of war, most recently from South Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said the AUC chairperson.

“Today, I would like to reiterate the African Union’s zero tolerance of sexual and gender-based violence and exploitation. Sexual and gender-based violence has no place in our world: we must fight them relentlessly.

“As we commemorate Peace Day, the AU wishes to acknowledge efforts by Member States to minimise violence during elections,” she added.

“We continue to encourage political leaders and their supporters to use legal and peaceful means to address elections-related disputes. It is through these methods that we entrench and deepen our culture of democracy and peace on the continent.

“The AU Commission is also pleased with the establishment of the Mediation Support Unit, which will provide logistical and technical support in our mediation initiatives led by our Special Envoys.

“We will continue to enhance our initiatives in structural conflict prevention as well as increasing our post-conflict reconstruction and development programmes in countries such as South Sudan, Central African Republic and Somalia,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

The AU further commended the decision by Heads of State and Government to establish the Peace Fund, as well as to support 25 per cent of peace operation funding on the continent. This will provide predictable and sustainable funds to drive the goal of silencing the guns by 2020.

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Special for CPNN by Kiki Chauvin (English translation by CPNN)

Last week, CPNN republished an article concerning the launch of the youth campaign for a culture of peace in Central Africa which took place in Libreville, Gabon. This week, we have received two remarkable videos created by the youth for this campaign. They are presented on the Facebook page of the campaign, appropriately named “Africa4peace”.

The first is a spot video of one minute 20 seconds which will be run by many television and radio stations in Gabon. The youth of the campaign are shown bearing traditional ceremonial torches and calling out the word “peace” in various languages spoken in Central Africa. The word “peace” in the 40 languages of the region are arranged as a design for the composite logo for the campaign:

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The second video features a song, “Donnons la paix”, composed by Annie-Flore Batchiellilys and presented by the youth campaign as an artistic production. Click here to view it.

Introducing the campaign members and their videos, the representative of UNESCO in Gabon, Enzo Fazzino, emphasized that it took three months of work by the youth to prepare these productions. The work was in itself a “veritable culture of peace, as they took responsibility and engagement on a daily basis as the actors of the project, participating with others to construct socities that will be more just, more equitable, inclusive and peaceful.” (Click here for the video of the presentation ceremony.

( Click here for the French version.)

Question related to this article.

Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they desereve?