URI Africa and the UN Africa office join together for a moment of silence for the Westgate terrorist attack
URI Africa commemorated the 2014 International Day of Peace in two ways this year. On September 20th, URI Africa held an interfaith prayer at the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. On September 22nd, URI Africa joined hands with the United Nations (UN) Africa along with various UN agencies for a panel discussion involving students from five universities.
The interfaith prayer at the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre in Nairobi opened with interfaith prayers from different religions and faith-based communities. The message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, along with the message from URI Africa, was read, followed by the reciting of the Golden Rule from different religions, as well as peace message by students.
This annual IDP event offers a unique opportunity for African CCs and is an opportunity to invite participants to reaffirm the commitment to build a culture of peace, to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony. In the spirit of promoting a culture of peace, URI Africa echoes the peace message of the World Peace Prayer Society, Pathways to Peace, Peace One Day and many other peace organizations.
As an interfaith organization with Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, URI Africa organizes International Day of Peace (IDP) annually in partnership with the UN Africa office. The event on the 22nd began with a brief reflection on the remembrance of the Westgate shopping mall terrorist. The Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya, the UN office at Nairobi Director General and the ambassador of Zimbabwe to Kenya each lit one candle. The main feature of the event, a panel discussion involving students from five universities in Nairobi, then began, with students from Kampala,Uganda; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Juba South Sudan. UN staff and other partners from the civil society, in particular Jane Goodal Initiative Kenya and URI CCs members also participated in the discussion.
The theme of this year’s Peace Day, "Right of Peoples to Peace," formed the basis of the discussion with university students who sought to explore the ideals and goals behind peacebuilding. Hon. Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga, in his presentation, highlighted equitable distribution of power and resources as one of the core factors that will kick-start the quest for peace. Dr.Mutunga said, “People need to deal with their hurt, pain, anger, sadness, regret, and resentment in order to create spaces for peace.”
In response, youths urged the leadership to be pro-active in responding to their issues so that they don’t have resolve to use of force whenever they need to air their concerns. From the deliberations, it was clear that young men have a role to play in fostering peace. They therefore need to take up an active role in amicably addressing issues facing them. Therefore, religious and political tolerance needs to be exercised at all times.
Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, UN Resident Coordinator, in her closing remarks reiterated that as much as there are conventions, constitutions and declarations, legal frameworks and supporting programs, it is only the determination and commitment of people like "you and me, that can nurture, safeguard and promote peace."
