Tag Archives: Africa

Africa: International Day of Peace

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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.

map of africa idp
(Click on image to enlarge)

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”

(Article continued in the right column)

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

Question for this article

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

(Article continued from the left column)

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.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Africa: CEDEAO: Women are called on to establish a durable peace

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article by Tata Sane for Le Soleil

Women have always been the fundamental actors in the search for peace. This was reiterated yesterday in the meeting organized by the Working Group, “Women, Peace and Security in West Africa”, in partnership with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (Unowas). The activity is held in preparation for the International Day of Peace, edition 2016. It is, according to the representative of Senegal on the working group “Women, Peace and Security in West Africa,” a favorable opportunity to reflection and exchange on the mechanisms of action and intervention of women and youth to consolidate peace and sustainable security in the Sahel which has been strongly shaken recently by the threats of extremists.

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(Click on photo to enlarge.)

Diago Ndiaye believes that facing the terrorist threats that spare no nation, women must play their role in order to build a lasting peace. In his message issued on the occasion of this day, the Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that “peace can not be reduced to a simple truce. Peace means building on a global scale, a society in which people live free of poverty and everyone benefits from prosperity.” Therefore, sustainable development is essential for the establishment of a stable peace. Respect for human rights is also a prerequisite. “The lack of resources is often the cause of conflicts. Therefore, we must rely on the sustainable development program for 2030 to prevent conflicts by ensuring that no one is left behind,” added the Secretary-General.

(Article continued in the right column)

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

Question for this article

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

(Article continued from the left column)

A high-level panel on the role and position of women and youth in the processes and peace and security programs in Senegal was scrutinized. Considering the theme “Women’s Leadership, peace, security, conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding: What role for women? “Dr. Christiane Agboton Johnson recalled that the 17 sustainable development goals that have been chosen for this year all contribute to the building of peace.

The involvement of women and youth

Speaking of women’s role, Ms. Agboton remarks that all women have a role to play at different levels. However, she wondered how this can be done so that women become a force for change. “Today, after all is said and done, has this potential been realized? Women represent 50% of the population, but, nevertheless, conflicts persist. This is the meaning of my question about how they can become a force for change, “she said. The gender adviser to the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (Unowas) recalled Resolution 2250 of the United Nations on youth, peace and security.

Agathe Telou believes that this resolution comes at a time when all players require the involvement of young people in search of peace worldwide. “This resolution recognizes the efforts that young people provide to help establish peace and security in the ECOWAS space,” she advised. Mrs. Agathe Telou addressed the sub-theme “Youth, Peace and Security: Resolution 2250 of the UN Security Council.”

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

African Union: Call to ‘silence the guns’ on #InternationalDayofPeace

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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.

African Union
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.

(Article continued in the right column)

Question for this article

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

(Article continued from the left column)

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.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Kenya: Construction of Wangari Maathai Institute starts

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article from the Presidential news service of Kenya, PSCU, published by Standard Digital

Kenya has started to build an ultramodern centre at the University of Nairobi in memory of Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai. President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday laid the foundation stone for the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the university. The institute at the university’s Upper Kabete campus will be a global centre of excellence in environmental governance with linkages to peace and democracy. It aims to create a culture of peace through transformation leadership in environmental governance.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta views a model for the new Wangari Maathai Institute Complex during the laying of the Foundation stone of the Institute, Upper Kabete, Nairobi County. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

The President said Prof Maathai had a vision to establish such an institute before she died and it was an honour for the university to host the institute. “Before her death, Wangari had conceived the idea of establishing the institute and shared the idea with the university leadership and her friends across the world,” he revealed.

Mr Kenyatta said Maathai’s legacy will live on long after her death. He said the environmentalist was the best role model for all Kenyans who want to contribute to the progress of the country. “I am encouraged to learn that this institute is already playing a critical role in reducing conflicts in communities by involving women in green energy technology, and in environmental conservation,” said the President.

Construction of the institute, which will cost Sh1.4 billion, will be funded by the Government and the African Development Bank.

After laying the foundation stone, Kenyatta joined students in one of the lecture halls at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. He urged the students to shun tribalism and work together as Kenyans to achieve their dreams. The President asked the students to abandon tribal organisations and instead yearn for higher national ideals of progress and unity. “The most important thing is for each one of you to get a job after graduating, and that will not be determined by where you come from,” he said.

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Africa, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Africa: Sustainable development: The future of the land is in green energy

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article by Idrissa Sané for Le Soleil Online (translated by CPNN)

The availability of energy is essential for development. For this, the experts who took part in the Global local forum advocate the exploitation of the opportunities offered by renewable energy in Africa.

durable
Abdoulaye Sène, president of the Global local forum

The Global local Forum ended yesterday, July 22 in Dakar, with a range of recommendations. Stakeholders suggested that local authorities should play a more prominent role in the development of energy policy, including energy-saving initiatives. “We need to make energy policy a priority of local decentralized cooperation. Mosques, city halls, county councils must be illuminated with renewable energy, “suggested Abdoulaye Sène, president of the Global local forum.

In addition, there is a return on investment through the training of human resources for maintenance of batteries and storage and transportation of energy equipment. “We need local ecosystems. We need to have trained people capable of doing equipment maintenance,” suggested Mr. Sène. The deputy also emphasized the need for decentralized governance of energy policy. For his part, Seydou Sy Sall, the General Delegate for the promotion of the urban centers of Diamniadio and Lake Rose, proposed a pause in construction and also in the spatial distribution of habitats. He regretted that the construction of houses and buildings has not taken into account the need for climatic zoning.

(Article continued on the right column)

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

Question for this article:

What is the relation between the environment and peace?

(Article continued from the left column)

In fact, one needs to take into consideration the temperature, humidity and even sunlight. “Climatic zoning has been known, but we do not refer to it. We can not build the same kind of model in Diourbel as in Dakar. These two cities do not record the same temperatures, “argued Mr. Sall.

Earlier, the chief of staff of the Ministry of Local Governance, Development and Planning, Alassane Mbengue, pleaded for the recovery of solid waste production by developing energy sectors as done already in many countries.

The chairman of the Business Council of renewable energy in Senegal (Copères), Abdul Fall, advocated for the mobilization of funding that encourages policies contributing to the preservation of the environment. “The state and the communities should set goals for energy independence. Africa should not be so poor in energy, since it has so much potential in renewable energy, “he said.

The President of the Network of farmers organizations (Ropa), Mamadou Sissoko, called for the establishment of permanent mechanisms for consultation and dialogue at the grass roots level. It is necessary, he insisted, that those who benefit from policies and projects should be involved in the process of their development.

Africa, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Culture of Peace: Artistic Creations by African Youth

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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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Click on the image to enlarge

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.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

The Elders welcome new moves in Africa to end child marriage

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

Press release from The Elders

The Elders today welcomed recent moves by leaders in The Gambia, Tanzania and Uganda to end or curb child marriage, as part of the African Union’s continent-wide campaign to eradicate the harmful practice.

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In The Gambia, where almost a third of underage girls are married, President Yayha Jammeh has announced that anyone marrying a girl below 18 would be jailed for up to 20 years, with legislation due to by drawn up in the coming months. In Tanzania, meanwhile, parliament has declared that current child marriage laws are unconstitutional.

The Ugandan health ministry has also recently announced that it will provide more advice to girls and adolescents, and educate them on their sexual and reproductive health and rights, joining 10 other countries which have already adopted national strategies and action plans to end child marriage.

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said:

“It is encouraging to see more African leaders and legislators taking action to end the damaging and abusive practice of child marriage. This is an issue of rights, health, justice and protection that affects individual girls and women, their families and their wider community. Governments across the continent must now work hard to educate the wider population and eradicate this practice once and for all.”

The Elders have campaigned against child marriage since 2011, when they formed the global civil society alliance Girls Not Brides, now an independent organisation in its own right.

Mary Robinson added:

“As Elders, we are committed to promoting equality for women and girls and ending all forms of discrimination. Child marriage is cruel and harmful. It denies girls the chance of an education and economic independence. Their talents cannot then be tapped by communities which could benefit from their knowledge and resilience. These latest steps are welcome but much more still needs to be done to protect girls’ rights.”

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

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Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Promoting peace in Central Africa: Batchiellilys and youth evoke peace in its linguistic diversity

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An article from L’Union, daily newspaper of Gabon (translated by CPNN)

The Pan African Youth Network for the Culture of Peace (Payncop), the Network of organizations of African youth leaders of the nations of Gabon (Rojalnu-Gabon) and the National Youth Council of Gabon (Cnjg), on Saturday [9 July] launched the youth campaign for promoting the culture of peace in Central Africa.

gabon

The event was held in the premises of the UN Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), partner in the project, as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations system in Gabon.

This was an opportunity for senior executives of the UN system, Vincenzo Fazzino, Marie-Evelyne Petrus Barrys, and the media, in particular, to appreciate the song “Let us Give the Peace”, composed by the artist Annie-Flore Batchiellilys and presented in collaboration with African youth, as well as other materials used in the context of this campaign.

For the initiators of the project, the campaign aims to get media attention on the concept of culture of peace. The goal is to raise awareness of the public in general and youth in particular, about the role that each can play in building and consolidating peace and non-violence in daily life.

( Click here for the French version.)

 

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Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Rwanda: 3-year peace education program concludes with Peace Week and youth conference

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from the Rwanda Focus

After three years of building sustainable peace in communities across the country, the Rwanda Peace Education Program (RPEP) is coming to a close. The conclusion of the program will be marked by a Peace Week that starts on Monday and will include various activities to share the success of the program and encourage all Rwandans to be champions of peace in their own villages and families.

Rwanda
(Click on photo to enlarge)
A peace-building event organized by RPEP. (photo RPEP)

The Peace Week will take place from Monday 20 to Saturday 25 June, and will be hosted at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Iwacu Avenue (Car Free Zone) and the Institute for Research and Dialogue for Peace.

The major activities include: the Ubumuntu International Youth Conference; the Peace Makers Exhibition at Iwacu Avenue (Car Free Zone); the National School Arts Competition Exhibition at Iwacu Avenue (Car Free Zone); the First Generation Teacher Peace Competition at the Kigali Genocide Memorial; Musekeweya Arts Performance; and a USC Shoah Foundation Film Screening at the Kigali Genocide Memorial

As part of Peace Week, RPEP partner the Aegis Trust will organize the Ubumuntu International Youth Conference, bringing together more than 100 young peace-builders from 16 countries. Participants will learn about genocide and its effects, post-genocide reconstruction, and genocide prevention. They will also visit memorials and reconciliation villages, and hear from leading scholars and practitioners in the areas of conflict resolution, conflict prevention, and peace building.

The Peace Week aims to inspire and challenge Rwandans to become peacemakers in their own communities. Rwandans who have used their skills and talents to influence their peers and communities to contribute to building a Rwanda that is free from conflict and division will share their experiences.

RPEP has been in place for the last three years, visiting communities across the country to promote positive values including social cohesion, pluralism and personal responsibility, empathy, critical thinking and action to build a more peaceful society. The program has been run by Aegis Trust, Radio La Benevolencija, the Institute For Research And Dialogue For Peace and the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation and is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

The program has reached more than 50,000 people from more than 20 districts across Rwanda. One of the most impressive achievements of the program has been the introduction of the Peace and Values Education developed by the program into the national curriculum.

(Thank you to the Global Campaign for Peace Education for calling this article to our attention)

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Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Ivory Coast: UNESCO announces the creation of a school for the Culture of Peace in Yamoussoukro

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article by Abidjan.net (translated by CPNN)

The Deputy Director for Africa of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Edouard Firmin Matoko announced Tuesday the creation of a school for the Culture of Peace in Yamoussoukro , the Ivorian political capital, during a meeting.

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Edouard Firmin Matoko

Called the “Pan-African center for research and advanced training in the culture of peace”, the school is expected to open in a year at the latest”, or in 2017. Mr. Matoko spoke during a workshop of experts from UNESCO, the African Union (AU) and the State of Côte d’Ivoire.

The school will be housed within the Felix Houphouet Boigny Foundation for Peace Research, he continued hoping that “the procedures will move rapidly.”

“Following validation by the Cabinet in Ivory Coast, the creation of this school must be submitted to the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in July in Kigali (Rwanda)”, he added.

The educational content, teachers’ profiles and the cost of training have not yet been defined for the Pan-African center for research and advanced training in the culture of peace, but the objective will be ” capacity building of decision-makers in the values ​​of peace and citizenship”, according to the permanent ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to UNESCO, Denise Houphouet.

(Click here for the original French version)

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