Category Archives: Africa

Zimbabwe: Artists Celebrate Peace

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Godwin Muzari, The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Dancers, actors and poets will come together to commemorate the International Day of Peace with performances at Zimbabwe Hall in Highfield. The International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21 and the performances are set to take place on September 25. The programme was put in place by EDZAI ISU Theatre Arts Project founded by acclaimed actor and director Tafadzwa Muzondo.

zimbabwe
Blessing Hungwe in “Burn Mukwerekwere Burn”

One of the plays that are likely to be outstanding at the event is “Burn Mukwerekwere Burn” a 2010 production written by Blessing Hungwe. The anti-xenophobia play is a story of two Zimbabweans that are caught up in a dangerous situation following violence against foreigners that erupts in South Africa.

The characters, initially separated by tribal lines, realise they have more in common than their perceived differences. On their way to escape the horror of xenophobic attacks, the Zimbabweans eventually concur that love for their country and the fight for survival bind them together.

“Burn Mukwerekwere Burn” was showcased at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (2010) and had a run at Theatre in the Park. The play won a National Arts Merit Awards accolade and has been staged outside Zimbabwe and recently toured Germany.

Despite being written in 2010, last year’s xenophobic attacks in SA reignited interest in the production and it has been on rotation on various stages, culminating in its invitation to the Zimbabwe Hall event. Also featuring on the Zimbabwe Hall stage would be poet Mbizo Chirasha, well-known for his poem “Africa My Motherland”.

Chirasha was recently in Zambia for performances and said he is geared up for the upcoming International Day of Peace celebrations. “It is an honour to be invited to take part at such an event. I have been on a regional tour and I am more than prepared to go on a local stage at a big event,” said Chirasha.

“As poets we are glad to celebrate peace and condemn violence. There is war in many countries and some big nations are fanning violence in small nations. We have to add our voice in condemning war and violence. We want peace in the world and we will preach peace through poetry.”

The list of dancers at the event will be led by award-winning Zvido Zvevanhu dance ensemble from Mufakose. The group, which is led by Gibson Sarari, has made headlines during international tours and remains one of the best traditional dance ensembles. Sarari said the group will showcase various traditional dances at the event.

“It will be a big event for us. We have performed at various stages locally and internationally and we will continue showcasing various Zimbabwean traditional dances,” said Sarari. “We will mainly be showcasing celebratory dances because it will be a day to celebrate peace. We want the Highfield community to join us in the celebrations. We will dance to peace and sing songs of peace.”

(Article continued in right column)

Question for this article:

How are you celebrating peace day

(Article continued from left column)

Muzondo said the programme was part of a new project by Edzai Isu called TISU.COM (Theatre Inspired Social Unity for Community Organisation and Mobilisation). The programme is supported by Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust in partnership with SIDA and DANIDA.

“We will be bringing award winning and internationally acclaimed theatre plays to Zimbabwe Hall so that communities can watch internationally acclaimed plays by professional theatre practitioners every last Friday of the month starting with International Day of Peace and ending on World Theatre Day (March 27),” said Muzondo.

“Each professional play will be complemented by a community play followed by post performance discussions and spiced by guest poetry, dance and/or music appearances every month end targeting women and young people in Highfield and beyond.

“We have already identified the plays to showcase and we trained seven community groups in transformative theatre so that they incorporate some of the strategies in their work as community development communicators.”

Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

Peace Agreement in South Sudan

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Tiffany Easthom, Country Director in South Sudan, Nonviolent Peaceforce

“This week [August 28], the final signature was placed onto the South Sudan peace agreement.  In doing so, all parties to the conflict have indicated their intentions to end the violent conflict that has rocked South Sudan for the past 21 months.  While the signing of the agreement is not a guarantee of peace, it is a public declaration of constructive, peaceful and positive intentions to end the war.

new sudan

 Having been on the front line of the conflict since the first day, the Nonviolent Peaceforce team is greatly relieved at the signing of the agreement and we want to extend our appreciation and support to the parties as they move into this new phase. We look forward to seeing strong, people centred leadership and action to move into the implementation of this agreement starting with an urgent and immediate cessation of hostilities.  Getting to peace is as complicated if not more so than getting to war.  The road ahead will be a long one that will take the dedication of all South Sudanese and the support of the international community to engage in reconciliation, justice and reconstruction.

 The people of South Sudan deserve real peace and the opportunity to build the country that was so long struggled for. The Nonviolent Peaceforce team is committed to supporting our South Sudanese brothers and sisters in working for peace.”

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

Question for this article:
Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

Côte d’Ivoire: REPSFECO-CI promotes a peaceful electoral process

. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article from News Ivoire

The REPSFECO-CI, Peace and Security Network for Women of ECOWAS – Ivory Coast Section – wants to contribute to civic education and culture of peace. This organization initiated, Wednesday, August 5, 2015 in Abidjan, the first edition of the “Rendez-vous du REPSFECO-CI” under the theme “Peaceful elections: responsibilities of political parties and organizations of the civil society”.

Cote d'Ivoire

The “Rendez-vous du REPSFECO-CI” is designed for organizations of civil society and political parties. Every actor involved in the democratic process should calmly prepare for future elections that guarantee stability and lasting peace, according to Mr. Diallo Géneviève, president of REPSFECO-CI. Côte d’Ivoire needs peace for its development. The upcoming elections are a test. The international community wants to see if our country really got into a democratic state. We think it is the political parties that determine the game. They have their supporters and activists. So it is important that political parties involved in these elections should speak in a different way because people are tired and they need to be reassured. We must not repeat the violent post-election crisis in 2010.

The highlight of “Rendezvous REPSFECO-CI” is a panel discussion moderated by M.Traoré Wodjo, vice president of the National Commission of Human Rights of Côte d’Ivoire (CNDH- CI) and Fernand-Julien Gauze, president of the NGO Action for Democracy, Justice and Freedom in Ivory Coast (ADJLCI) and member of the Network of organizations of civil society in Côte d’Ivoire (CCAP-Rosci ).

The communication of by M.Traoré Wodjo emphasized the responsibilities of political parties in promoting a peaceful electoral climate and effective participation in the electoral process. He noted that elections in Africa are often sources of serious social tensions. Witness the case of Côte d’Ivoire in 2010. That’s why the 2015 elections are a challenge to democracy for Ivorians. Hence the recommendation to the political parties to put a point of honor to the training and education of their supporters and especially to ask actions that promote a peaceful climate throughout the electoral process. “We want a civilized election in Ivory Coast,” he stressed. “Political parties that are conscientious and mature politicians with a high sense of democracy are the guarantee of a peaceful electoral process,” M.Traoré said.

Civil Society for peaceful elections was the theme of Fernand Julien Gauze, president of the ADJLCI, “Actions of CSOs in the objective monitoring of the electoral process and the consolidation of pre- and post-electoral peace” “Election monitoring” is an English expression which translates into French as “surveillance électorale” simply indicating the need to monitor the process of the election by civil organizations, citizens, political parties, media, trade associations, lobby groups etc. The purpose is to raise the alert. The expert in election monitoring has identified the crucial importance of monitoring in electoral processes in Côte d’Ivoire since it calls attention to the violence and incidents that may take place during an election. And, through informatics, the social networks and SMS. “The monitoring of violence is an essential civic activity in the electoral processes of countries that have experienced crises,” he concluded.

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

Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

CPNN receives more and more articles from Africa about initiatives that contest the European model of “winner-takes-all” elections, and demand that elections should only be part of a broader democratic process that seeks consensus and compromise.

This fits with the pre-colonial systems of justice in Africa, when there was no monotheism and no single supreme god, no single supreme law, no single “truth” provided by divine intervention, but rather a compromise among many different “gods,” perspectives and “truths” arrived at through a process of mediation, for example, the “palabra.”

Here are some of the articles:

Ghana Youth Coalition wants politicians to commit to peace in 2012

Women’s World in Nationwide Sensitization [Sierra Leone]

Varsities vouch for peace ahead of general elections (Kenya)

Zimbabwe: Christian denominations launch peace initiative

Rethinking Post-Election Peacebuilding in Africa

Nigeria: Why we facilitated Abuja peace accord —Ben Obi

Uganda: Government to Set Up Election Conflict Resolution Body

Côte d’Ivoire: Le REPSFECO-CI invite les acteurs à un processus électoral apaisé

Côte d’Ivoire: REPSFECO-CI promotes a peaceful electoral process

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Uganda: Government to Set Up Election Conflict Resolution Body

. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article by Stephen Wandera, All Africa

Plans are underway to set up a Conflict Resolution Authority with the mandate of settling post 2016 election disputes. The authority, compiled jointly by government and the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), is contained in the Uganda National Conflict Prevention and Peace-building Policy draft expected to be officially endorsed by government before the end of the year.

uganda
The Executive Secretary of Uganda Joint Christian council, Rev Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, (L) with as Archbishop Stanley Ntagali (R) PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

“The policy aims at promoting a culture of peace among all Ugandans in successive generations,” UJCC executive secretary Sylvester Arinaitwe said, while addressing various stakeholders at a consultative meeting in Nsambya, Kampala, yesterday.

“The policy will be used to identify, prevent, manage and transform conflict and comprehensively for sustainable and equitable development and harmonious co-existence,” Fr Arinaitwe added.

“This honourable job will be executed by an authority either a council or commission depending what will be agreed upon.”

He said the document compiled jointly by government and the UJCC will act as a tool of reference for conflict resolution.

“We want to offer Ugandans a peace gift on the International Peace Day scheduled for September 21 by launching the policy,” Fr Arinaitwe.

“However, it will have to be endorsed by Cabinet before being tabled to Parliament as a Bill for consideration into law.” The draft is being advocated for by UJCC and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Ms Mary Adhiambo Mbeo, a programme specialist on Gender issues in the UN, backed the establishment of the authority, saying unresolved election conflict results into war, something that Uganda should avoid.

“I had first-hand experience during the Darfur war and I would not like such an incident to happen here in Uganda,” she said.

Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

CPNN receives more and more articles from Africa about initiatives that contest the European model of “winner-takes-all” elections, and demand that elections should only be part of a broader democratic process that seeks consensus and compromise.

This fits with the pre-colonial systems of justice in Africa, when there was no monotheism and no single supreme god, no single supreme law, no single “truth” provided by divine intervention, but rather a compromise among many different “gods,” perspectives and “truths” arrived at through a process of mediation, for example, the “palabra.”

Here are some of the articles:

Ghana Youth Coalition wants politicians to commit to peace in 2012

Women’s World in Nationwide Sensitization [Sierra Leone]

Varsities vouch for peace ahead of general elections (Kenya)

Zimbabwe: Christian denominations launch peace initiative

Rethinking Post-Election Peacebuilding in Africa

Nigeria: Why we facilitated Abuja peace accord —Ben Obi

Uganda: Government to Set Up Election Conflict Resolution Body

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

To Hell and Back: How Rwanda’s Women Helped It Become a World Leader

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article by Shaya Tayefe Mohajer, Takepart (reprinted by permission)

The Swiss may be known for their mastery of clocks, perfecting fine chocolates, and running trains on time—but when it comes to running an efficient government, Rwanda has them beat. The small, landlocked Central African nation has topped the Swiss by two ranks to come in seventh in the world in government efficiency, according to the World Economic Forum. The U.S. doesn’t even make the top 10.

rwandaRwandan women react during the constitutional amendment debate in parliament in Kigali on July 14. (Photo: Cyril Ndegeya/Getty Images)

Through a rigorous look at dozens of factors, the nonprofit global organization credits Rwanda’s low level of waste in government spending and a factor called labor market efficiency for the country’s overall high ranking—noting that the nation of 10.6 million has seen dramatic improvements in economic life: A GDP that hovered at around $200 per capita in 2000 rose to nearly $700 in 2013. 

Something perhaps even more remarkable about Rwanda is buried in these stats: It ranks third out of the 144 countries scored for the ratio of women in the labor force. For every man working in Rwanda, 1.02 women are employed. To boot, Rwanda is also the only country on Earth where more women than men serve as elected officials. 

In part, that’s because the country created a constitutional quota in 2005 that women must make up at least 30 percent of leadership in decision-making organs. That means women compose about 64 percent of the nation’s lower parliament and 38 percent of its senate. By comparison, the U.S. has never elected a Congress that’s more than 20 percent women.

When President Barack Obama was in Kenya on a state visit last weekend, he gave a speech extolling the virtues of letting women lead.

“Any nation that fails to educate its girls or employ its women and allowing them to maximize their potential is doomed to fall behind in a global economy,” Obama told the audience.

Rwanda may be the best proof of just how right he is.

(Article continued in right column.)

Question for this article:

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

(Article continued from the left column.)

There’s a less uplifting reason, however, for the droves of women working and leading in Rwanda. They are a reflection of a de facto population—namely, those who survived the 1994 genocide. During several bloody months, Hutus laid waste to Tutsis, and nearly a million people were slaughtered, including the systematic and targeted killing of those who were educated, those who were leaders—those who were crucial parts of the social fabric. The bloodshed left behind a population that was 70 percent women and a country that was in desperate need of functional leadership at every level. 

By now, the male-female ratio has mostly evened out. Yet, the mark left by the genocide is as indelible as it is invisible, in many ways, according to Azeb Tadesse, the deputy director for the African Studies Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Tadesse has visited Rwanda a number of times, spending most of her time in the capital city of Kigali—which she describes as a clean and modern place—as the U.S. director for the Women’s Leadership Project, a global effort to improve gender equality for women through advanced education and improved access.

The genocide doesn’t come up explicitly in conversation, but it’s an unspoken part of the national psyche. 

“I think when you go through such a traumatic experience as a society, you start questioning everything. And maybe one of the things is, ‘Has it really done us much good to keep women out of the leadership and the professional life of the nation?’ ” Tadesse said in an interview with TakePart. 

Rwanda’s rare moment of reckoning has, in some way, helped lead to a remarkable 20-year transformation since the genocide—something Tadesse attributes, in part, to the broad-minded conversation about how to move forward and shape a national identity that goes beyond inclusion for Hutus and Tutsis and also looks at men and women as equals. 

“Something that you would notice if you’re working in Rwanda is the number of female colleagues you will have at the different levels,” said Tadesse. “Not to say it has surprised me—but it is something to take note of.”

Rwanda’s authoritarian leadership, headed by President Paul Kagame, may also claim credit for the order and high efficiency ranking of the country. Though he counts among his fans globe-trotting philanthropists from Bill Clinton to Bill Gates, Kagame has been called a strongman. Still, he’s credited for rebuilding the broken country after the genocide. Perhaps it takes a very strong man to advocate for such a powerful female presence. 

Kagame isn’t alone in drawing criticism as far as human rights go. The countries that top the World Economic Forum’s list of most efficient nations are a mixed bag. Leaders in top-ranked Qatar have faced criticism for treatment of low-paid migrant workers since their successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and there is some domestic dissent over free expression. Singapore may rate highly for efficiency, but caning and corporal punishment are still common there.

Neither enjoys the stats that Rwanda does when it comes to the rights and inclusion of half the population—women.

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Wanep Gambia Holds Peace Education Training for Students

… EDUCATION  FOR PEACE …

An article by Abdoulie Nyockeh, All Africa (abridged)

West Africa Network for Peace-Building (WANEP) -Gambia on Thursday held a two-day peace education training of trainers for peer mediators for school children within region one and region two. The theme of the training was “Catch them young. Peace education a long term preventive mechanism against violence”. The training, which targeted thirty students from thirteen schools within regions one and two, was held at the NANA conference hall.

new wanep

In her official opening of the workshop, Mrs Amicoleh Mbaye, Director of Basic and Secondary Education, registered the appreciation of her ministry for the unique role WANEP has continued to play in supporting peace education in schools through peace clubs in schools.

“This initiative is very timely as peace is the only tool that can address the numerous challenges that our world is confronted with,” she said.

In Africa, she added, genocide, tribal and ethnic conflicts have been threatening peace and stability of nations, thus the need to incorporate attitudinal change towards the promotion of issues such as human rights, democracy and good governance.

According to her, the intervention of WANEP through such training would contribute immensely to ensuring that the Gambian population continues to maintain peace and stability by supporting students to acquire values and knowledge as well as develop positive attitudes, skills and behaviours to live in peace and harmony with one another.

“The youth are the future leaders and the education system is indeed a platform that can target the youth to inculcate a culture of peace in them.

“It can also equip youth and citizens with skills that holistically nurture citizens to peaceful coexistence of community citizens,” she stated.

Peace, which is a process of establishing trust and cooperation among people, entails learning to appreciate other people and their culture, learning to resolve disputes through communications and dialogue rather than violence.

She stated the UN defines the culture of peace as a combination of values and attitudes and behaviours and life styles that reject violence and prevent conflicts.

Director Mbaye further stated that the current education policy commits government to upholding the right of every person to basic education, regardless of gender, age, religious or disability.

This however cannot be attained without inculcating the culture of peace in the student, she said.

“When students harness a culture of peace, they will be better able to tolerate others regardless of their circumstance, thus the need for education on peace building,” she said. . . .

“I believe this august gathering will agree with me that this workshop really came at an opportune time, for it will raise awareness of the peer mediators on the importance of peace and equip them with skills to further support other peers.” . . .

Question related to this article:
Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Dakar to host July conference on Islam, peace

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Star Africa Copyright APA

Dakar will from July 28 to 29 host a conference on ‘Islam and Peace’ that will bring together 500 delegates including eminent guests from around the world, the chairman of the organizing committee Babacar Abdoulaye Ibrahim Niasse announced in the Senegalese capital Tuesday.

dakar
Photo by Dakar Actu

“The conference aims to promote exchanges around the issue of global peace, contributions of women and youngsters in the advent of global peace. It will also identify and define the roles and responsibilities of communities to promote the culture of peace, share good practices of living together,” Niasse told a press conference.

Organized at Medina Baye Peace Initiative through the Senegal Jamhiyatu Ansaarud-Din association (JAD), the conference is supported by President Macky Sall.

The 500 expected participants will include erudite scholars from different religions, academics and researchers, religious leaders, policymakers and members of civil society.

According to Cheikh Mouhamadou Khouraichi Niasse, JAD’s chairman, the conference offers “a great opportunity to restore the image of Islam that is unrelated to the one that some so-called followers or critics give.”

Participants will discuss solidarity, the role of Islam in development, interfaith dialogue, extremism and terrorism.

(Click here for an article in French on this subject.)

Question related to this article:

 

How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?

This discussion question applies to the following articles:

Creating Harmony in the World: Working through Our Faiths in Dialogue
Alternate Focus: Balance in Media Coverage in Middle East
The Parliament of the World's Religions (Barcelona, Spain)
Asian Religious Leaders Urge Religions To Teach Peace
Living Faiths Together – Tool kit on inter-religious dialogue in youth work
Sharing the right to Jerusalem's past
The Doha Pre-Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Peace For Childrens in Primary Schools in Iraq
Dialogue in Nigeria — a new DVD teaching-tool for peacemakers
4th Annual International Conference on Religion, Conflict and Peace
First Religious Youth Service Project in Pakistan
World Harmony Day at the UN Highlights the Culture of Peace
Report of Diversity Talk Series 2013, in Lahore, Pakistan
Journée d'étude à Tunis: Religions et cultures au service de la paix
Workshop in Tunis: Religions and cultures in the service of peace
Out of the spotlight, Moroccan Islamic party promotes interfaith dialogue
Muslim and Christian youth come together in Mombasa, Kenya
Greeting of Peace from United Social Welfare Society, Pakistan
Interfaith Cultural Study Tour to Nepal: Pakistan Youth Explore the Mysteries of Nepal
One Nation, One Blood (Pakistan)
Teachings of Peace
Overview of the Book, Paganism an Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions
La líder de un movimiento interreligioso Dena Merriam recibirá el 31 Niwano Peace Prize
Dena Merriam, Founder and leader of The Global Peace Initiative of Women to receive the Niwano Peace Prize
Pakistan: Scholars adopt charter of peace, support coexistence
Lebanese dialogue aims to strengthen unity in diversity
Un an du “Projet Revalorisation du Vivre Ensemble – REVE” au Niger
A Year-long Project for “Living Together – REVE” in Niger

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Senegal’s First Female Graffiti Artist Is Leaving a Fearless Mark

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

Ricci Shryock for Takepart

Dieynaba Sidibe is challenging views on women’s roles and calling for equality, one spray-paint can at a time.

Growing up in Senegal’s capital of Dakar, Dieynaba Sidibe loved painting and often used her pocket money to buy art supplies. One day, she came home to find that her mother had thrown out all of her paints. Women shouldn’t be painting, her mother believed, and she encouraged her daughter to be a doctor instead.


senegal

“It was war,” recalls Sidibe of the hard-fought years when she went against her parents’ wishes to follow her passion. “Society has created a place for women, and when you try and go outside of that, there’s a problem.

Despite the pushback, she continued painting and, after turning 18, moved on to graffiti through an interest in hip-hop culture and slam poetry. “I found I could express myself better on a wall as there was more space than a canvas.”

At 24, Sidibe is now considered Senegal’s first female graffiti artist.

She learned the craft thanks to fellow members of a hip-hop community at the Africulturban Center outside Dakar. “It was a little surprising because she was a woman,” says the center’s president, Matador, né Babacar Niang. “It was new for me because after 20 years, the only women we had here were interested in rap, and she was interested in graffiti as well.”

Matador encouraged her interest and saw her desire to break barriers as a positive shift. “I thought that she could bring something new to hip-hop culture because people thought only men were doing graffiti,” he says. “With graffiti she can show the role of women in society. If it’s coming from a woman, it’s even stronger.”

Graffiti art is frequently employed in West Africa as a tool for social change. Sidibe, who goes by the artist name Zienixx, uses it to promote women’s rights, including equal pay and educational access.

Through her work, she wants people to confront inequality in society and recognize the strength of women. “All women, everywhere—whether they are fishmongers, graffiti artists, or office workers—we are all fighters,” she says. “Women are fighting to be free to do what they want, to do work that pleases them, to be paid equally to men, and to follow their passion.”

Matador agrees: “There are so many families in Senegal whose mothers keep them together. These women wake up at four in the morning to go to the market and sell fish, and with the money they make they buy food and make a meal. The young men are asleep that whole time, so they wake up and find food, [and] they have no idea what their mothers went through to get that meal on the table.”

While Sidibe’s family now supports her graffiti art, she’s reflective of the fight it takes for women to exert their independence and abilities.

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

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Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Benin encourages interfaith dialogue against Boko Haram

TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY .

An article from La Croix (translated by CPNN)

“International Symposium of the Pan-African Centre for Social Prospects for Peace and Development through Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue”. This is the title of the conference organized in Cotonou, Benin, from Tuesday 26 to Thursday, May 28, for a “general mobilization against the danger of Boko Haram.”

benin

This conference is a followup to the one devoted to interreligious dialogue, held in Cotonou in March 2014, under the presidency of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. It had focused on the factors promoting violent Islamic extremism: tensions between ethno-religious communities, illiteracy, weak governance, inadequate justice systems and lack of interreligious dialogues, especially Islamic-Christian.

Announced by the Beninese president himself, Boni Yayi, last November, the symposium is in the context of peace education and the fight against religious extremism in Africa (Boko Haram, AQMI , etc..).

“Military force will not be enough to annihilate the jihadist movement that flourished in the fertile soil of a population deprived of access to education and health,” according to the new Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari, in the press conference of Benin.

“This symposium will be based on inter-religious and intercultural dialogue to build peace around practical concerns of fight against poverty,” said Albert Tevoedjre, former Ombudsman of Benin and President of the Pan-African Social Prospects Centre, during a meeting with the press on May 20 The initiative is to establish “trust between followers of different religions to build together a better society with development and peace and to mobilize the enthusiasm around concrete tasks whose priority is recognized by all”, he explained.

Sponsored by the government of Benin, this African initiative has many supporters, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNESCO, the ECOWAS (Economic organization created by the Treaty of Lagos in 1975 by fifteen States of West Africa) … By offering its availability to become “peace advocate another way,” the Benin also wants to generate a network of African parliamentarians to “ensure that every State makes avalilable the resources needed to achieving these objectives. ”

Among the 200 participants from all continents are various academics from Egypt, Lebanon and Indonesia, and personalities such Abderhamane Sissako, director of the film Timbuktu, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UN representative, William F. Vendely, Secretary General of Religions for Peace and Francis Kagema Kuria, secretary general of the African Council of Religious Leaders.

Many African leaders are also present, starting with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as many African and European Muslim leaders Muhammad Saa Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto in Nigeria; Shaban Mujabe, Grand Mufti of Uganda; the Algerian Sheikh Khaled Ben Tounès, world president of the association “Friends of Islam”; the imam of Banguy (Central); Azzedine Gaci, and the rector of the mosque in Villeurbanne (France) …

Also announced are leading figures of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso, Archbishop of Ouagadougou; Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja; Archbishop Jean Zerbo, Archbishop of Bamako (Mali); Bishop Paul Simon Ahouanan, Archbishop of Bouaké (Ivory Coast) and president of the new National Reconciliation Commission and compensation of victims (Conariv); Bishop Jean-Marc Aveline, Auxiliary Bishop of Marseille …

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

Question for this article
Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

UNESCO partners with the Aladdin Project for an International Conference on Genocide Prevention, Culture of Peace and Education about the Holocaust in Africa

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article by UNESCO media services

In the aftermaths of 70th anniversary commemorations of the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Nazi concentration and of extermination camps, the Aladdin project and UNESCO organize the first international conference in Africa on the prevention of genocide, the promotion of a culture of peace and the historical lessons of the Holocaust. Delegations of several ministries of education of Western Africa will participate.

aladin

The conference will involve eminent historians of the Holocaust and of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as well as human rights expert with a view to encourage sharing of experience amongst education stakeholders of the region and explore further strategies to introduce education about the history of genocides and a culture of peace in education policies of African countries, notably in support of UNESCO’s related activities in the region.

The Dakar conference is part of a larger series of 6 conferences on the same theme organized by the Aladdin Project in cooperation with UNESCO in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The first such event took place in Istanbul in 2013.

The Aladdin Project is an international organization based in Paris and created in 2009 under the auspices of UNESCO. The 30 members of its international board, representing different countries of Europe, the Middle-East and Africa, different faiths and cultures, are dedicated to promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, justice and fraternity. The organization strives to enhance intercultural exchanges based on mutual knowledge, education, respect of history, rejection of Holocaust denial and memorial conflicts through the search for peace over the culture of conflict and war.

(Click here for a version of this article in French)

Question for this article:
Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION