Emmanuel Ivorgba, Regional Coordinator, URI West Africa, speaks on Plateau Radio and Television about URI, interfaith, peace, the recently concluded elections in Nigeria, and the way forward.
On June 26, 2015, to mark the 15th anniversary of URI, we shall host a Conference of Religious Educators and Leaders (COREL). The theme of the Conference shall be: LESSONS FOR PEACE: EDUCATORS RESPONSE TO INTER-RELIGIOUS & INTER-ETHNIC CRISES. We are inviting 100 Religious Educators and students from Universities and Colleges, and some selected Muslim, Christian and Traditional Worshipers. Some of the topics to be covered at the conference, under the following sub-themes, include:
a. CULTURE OF PEACE
- Islamic Education for a Culture of Peace
- Christian Education for a Culture of Peace
- African Traditional Religious Education for a Culture of Peace
- Interreligious Education for a Culture of Peace
b. CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
- Why religious education has failed to address societal ills
- Corruption
- Religious harmony for political stability
In terms of what we are doing currently in West Africa Sub-Region, we are conducting series of CC Leadership Trainings (4 in total). The first was conducted on Saturday, May 9, 2015. Sixteen CC Leaders, representing 8 CCs attended and activated participated in the training. We have formed Clusters of CCs and the first training was for CC CLUSTER ONE, comprising CCs from Plateau and Bauchi States and Abuja.
The next training will be held this weekend for CC CLUSTER TWO for the Makurdi Axis, followed by CLUSTER THREE at the Jalingo axis and CLUSTER FOUR for the Kaduna Axis. The trainings focus mainly on helping CC leaders have a clearer and better understanding of the URI PPPs, URI history, organizational structure, and CC Profile Collection (purpose and usage).
At the last training, and also with the upcoming ones, we are using this opportunity to also share and discuss upcoming events, projects and further organize CC Exchange visits. Some of our major upcoming events include:
- URI 15th Anniversary Celebration - Conference of Religious Educators and Leaders (COREL). June 26, 2015, Jos, Nigeria
- URI West Africa Regional Assembly - November 18-19, 2015, Abuja, Nigeria
- 7th International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue, November 20-21, 2015, Abuja, Nigeria
- 2015 UN International Day of Peace
