| Posted: April 13 2005,07:53 |
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
UNITED
NATIONS OF YOUTH HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS BREAK-THROUGH in the promotion
of the culture of peace and non-violence to the children and youth of
our world .Before 2001 when we have not launched an aggressive campaign
for a culture of peace and non-violence ,there were many cases of
violent crises,insurgencies /couter insurgencies,violent
conflicts,violent demonstrations and strikes/protests,youth
restiveness,vandalism etc,but after our sensitisation programmes in
early 2001,things begin to change remarkably .The previous situation of
anarchy and chaos,pandemonium and civil strive among the youths gave
way to dialogue ,negotiation,trust building,co-operation,harmony
,humility,love and peace.Therefore the prevailing situation of
calmness compared to before 2001 could be said to be the INDICATOR
measuring the progress.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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Our
major obstacle is lack of funding in executing our numerous grassroots
-generated approaches in promoting the culture of peace and
non-violence.Lack of fund and technical support to enable us attend
international conferences on peace related issues at least to learn
best practices also affected us badly.Lack of our own internet facility
to assist our members in varous ways of peace building skills by way of
on-line peace-related trainings that could be replicated by our members
if trained.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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THE
UNITED NATIONS OF YOUTH (UNOY) NETWORK NIGERIA is a global network of
young people and youth organizations active in the field of peace
building and core-United Nations thematic areas as related to youths.
UNOY has a membership of over 200 member organizations and many
thousands of individual members. The National Headquarters in
Nigeria is at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos,
Nigeria UNOY also has an office in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Abuja and in each of the six (6) geo-political zones of Nigeria
thus: South-South, South East, South West, North East, North West
and North Central.
Prince Goodluck Odimegwu Obi is the
National Executive President of United Nations of Youth (UNOY)
while Chief (Amb) Segun Olusola (Mni OFR) former Nigerian
Ambassador to Ethiopia,Chairman Governing Board ,National Commission
For Refugees etc is chairman, Board of Patrons / Advisors.
With
the complexity of the Nigerian society having diverse ethnic
differences and multi religious in nature, peace building and making
become much more difficult and risky compared to other countries of the
world.
In Nigeria, we have had one major civil war. (The
Biafran war of 1967-1970) and several small scale insurgencies totaling
about thirty eight (38) in different parts of the country e.g Ife
Modakeke conflict in Osun State, Ogoni land crisis in Rivers State,
Aguleri / Umuleri in Anambra, Ijaw/Isekiri conflicts in Delta State,
Billiri / Kaltungo in Gombe State, the OPC Phenomenon in the South
West, religious uprisings in Kaduna, Bauchi, Jos, and Kano. Also,
there is the Kuteb/ Chamba plus Jukun crisis in Takum and Ussa Local
Government Area of Taraba State, Mambilla / Fulani (on Mambilla
Plateau) Sarduana L.G.A. of Taraba State. The Bakassi Boys of
the South East and the Egbesu Youths of the Niger Delta with their
terrorist tendencies is better imagined than said. However, the
incessant violent clashes in Nigerian tertiary institutions among rival
secret societies with high toll of deaths have become a recurring
decimal. Of course not forgetting the Maitasine killings in
former Gongola State, Borno State and Kano.
The cost of
conflicts include loss of lives,property and time ,displacement of
persons,trauma,pains,anger,distrust,neglect,poverty and under
development.The lesson from modern warfare is that "the costliest peace
is cheaper than the cheapest war"For example,an F16 Jet fighter
costs about 65 million Dollars to purchase but could be blown up in a
second by an enemy missile.This amount is more than the annual budget
of more than ten(10)African Nations combined.It logically follows that
war drains away resources that could have been used for poverty
alleviation,education and quality health care system.Between 1945 and
1989 ,there was about 29.8 Million war related deaths around the world
and about 17 milliom people were displaced excluding those who fled
their countries as Refugees.This is how grievous conflicts are.!It
costs every thing one has including ones' life,hence the need for
urgent intervention to arrest this ugly situation.
Against this
backdrop of state of insecurity and chaos, United Nations of Youth
(UNOY) Network Nigeria embarked on multifaceted ways to enthrone a
culture of peace and non-violence for the children and youth of our
world in the following ways:
-Organising peace education lecture
series among children and youths periodically in the six (6)
geo-political zones of Nigeria.
- Training children and young
people, youth leaders in the field of peace building, non-violent
approach to conflict resolution and reconciliation.
- Promoting the
idea of partnership of young people with the United Nations by
distributing United Nations Publications on the culture of peace
(translated in the three major languages in Nigeria - Igbo, Yoruba and
Hausa) among the youths in Nigeria.
- Resolving conflicts, crises
(among Youths and Children) at all levels and sectors of the societies
by creating atmosphere and environment that promote dialogue ensuring
peace, justice and fair play.
- Promoting peace at all levels and
sectors of societies by carrying out independently and in collaboration
with other organizations, governments and institutions peace talks and
educational programmes that promote the culture of peace and
non-violence for the children and youth of our world.
- Tackling
the growing involvement of youth and youth militias in violent conflict
through effective positive education, campaign, with the aim of
refocusing and redirecting youth minds and energy to positively
contribute to the development of the society and nation.
- Carrying
out awareness and training programmes from grassroots levels to
discourage the use of SMALL ARMS and violent means of addressing needs,
grievances and confrontations.
- Embarking on research and
investigation programmes that will seek to identify and exterminate the
root causes of HUMAN RIGHTS abuses, CHILD TRAFFICKING, conflicts and
wars.
- Working with National, Regional and International Networks
/ Coalitions, NGOs, CBOs, CSOs, YVOs etc to support and assist the less
privileged youths and children to pursue and attain their chosen
careers and become useful people to the society rather than tools and
agents of conflicts.
- Yearly celebration of United Nations Days/
International Days with peace-related programmes and activities across
the country. Annually celebrated dates include: June 20th - World
Refugee Day, August 12th - International Youth Day; September 21st -
International Day of Peace, United Nations Day (October 24th),
International Human Rights Day (December 10th) etc.
- Collaborating
with Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) (a Nigerian coalition of over
one hundred and sixty (160) human rights and civil society
organizations with the main aim of monitoring the elections to
ensure that the conditions existed for a free expression of will by the
electorates, and hopefully see an end to years of military dictatorship
and thereby usher in a civilian led regime.
- Affiliating with
African Network of Young Peace Builders (ANYP) formed in 2001 by United
Network of Young Peace Builders, formerly UNOY Foundation to initiate
peace-related intervention programmes in order to promote the culture
of peace and non-violence in the African continent.
- Initiating
and co-coordinating the Africamix Nigeria (a volunteer based
organization ) with the main objective of defending, protecting
and promoting the holistic health and rights of the African children.
-
Collaborating with Development Information Network (DEVNET) and others
in co-ordinating the United Nations World summit Against Racism, Racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (WCAR) in August
2001, Durban, South Africa.
- Projecting peace Education/ peace
building as our focal point in the United Nations World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD) August - September 2002 Johanesberg,
South Africa. etc.
- Working with United Network of Young
Peace Builders (UNOY Foundation, the Netherlands) in capacity building
of our members in area of peace Building.
ACTIVITIES
United
Nations of Youth (UNOY) has been involved in so many projects,
programmes and activities related to the promotion of the culture of
peace and Non-violence for the children and youth of our world but for
time and space, we shall only summarise the major events from 2001-2005.
Since
1998 till today UNOY Nigeria has been involved in the yearly Training
of Trainers (TOT) workshop for school and out of school youths on peace
education including non-violent approach to conflict resolution.
The certificates to these participants on this peace training are
always given to them to commemorate the celebration of one key UN Day
or the other especially International Day for Peace (September 21st) or
UN day (Oct. 24th).
In addition to the above, UNOY Nigeria has
been deeply involved in the following programmes either as a
facilitator, co-presenter, official youth representative, chairman
planning committee, special guest, key note presenter etc. Thus:"
Building a culture of peace: character, family and public service"
organized by inter-religious and international Federation for world
peace and world Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, Abuja,
Nigeria.
"Youth and culture of peace in Nigeria: proceedings
of a National symposium on the role of youth and students in the
promotion and sustenance of the culture of peace in Nigeria" organized
by ANUNSA and UNIC, Lagos, Nigeria.
Media briefing on the
culture of peace and Non-violence; organized by UNIC and Brahma Kumaris
Organization- a spiritual University based in the United kingdom,
Lagos, Nigeria.
The causes of conflicts and violence in
Nigerian tertiary institutions: Building a culture of peace and
Non-violence - organized by us (UNOY Nigeria) to mark the United
Nations Day October 24th, 2001, Lagos, Nigeria.
"The role of
NGOs in the current political dispensation in Nigeria;Building a
culture of peace "organized by watchman International Network (24-25
October 2002, Lagos, Nigeria).
National Workshop on ;United
Nations Volunteers Private sector initiative sustainable Development in
the context of corporate committee involvement: challenges and
opportunities; (September 19-20 2002) Abuja, Nigeria.
Youth -
a tool for political thuggrey and vandalism: An urgent Need for a
culture of peace and Non-violence organized by UNOY Nigeria as a peace
education programme to equip the youths to inculcate the culture of
peace and non-violence in the general elections of 2003. Jan 2003,
Ubulu-Ihejiofor, Imo State, Nigeria.
UNOY Nigeria
members participated in the West African Young people Builders Training
Seminar Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin (09-16 Nov. 2002)
organized by Africa peace and the United Nations of Youth Foundation
(UNOY).
UNOY as an active member of Transition Monitoring Group
(TMG) was actively involved in the National Review of voters Register
as well as serving as Election Monitors / observers in the six
geo-political zones of Nigeria. The campaigns prior to the
elections were characterized by political violence, including the
assassination of prominent political figures, attempted murder of
opponents. In realization that genuine elections are essential
foundation for sustainable development and a functioning democracy,
UNOY members were readily among the deployed 10,009 observers to
observe the National Assembly elections held on April 12, 2003, the
gubernatorial / presidential elections held on April 19th 2003 and the
state House of Assembly elections held in May 3rd, 2003.
UNOY
Nigeria members participated in the on-line course (February
2004) and the Face-to-face training seminar (National Stadium,
Freetown, Sierra Leone: April 18-29, 2004) on Youth Transforming
Conflict organized by the Network University and United Network of
young peace builders - African Network of young peace builders etc.
UNOY
Nigeria celebrated the world Refugee Day in June 20th 2004 at Chelsea
suites, Festac Town, Lagos Nigeria with peace-related major and minor
themes. The major theme was " World Refugee Day: A call for
conflict resolution " One of the major highpoints of the celebration
was the bestowing of peace Honors Award to an internationally
recognized Icon of peace and non-violent approach to conflict
resolution - Chief (Amb) Olusegun Olusola (Mni, OFR) - The Founder and
Patron of African Refugee Foundation and Former Nigerian Ambassador to
Ethiopia.
The other high point was the presentation of a set
of musical albums by a UNOY member though a Liberian Refugee cum
revolutionary artiste - Mr. Sarkie Morlon. His albums were
dedicated to the promotion of the culture of peace and Non-violence for
the children and youth of our world.
In celebrating the
International Day for peace in September 21st 2004, UNOY recognized
young people and children who have achieved tremendous feats in the
areas of peace and non-violence approach to conflict resolution by
presenting them various United Nations publications on peace related
topics including Human Rights etc. these UN publications were
given to us courtesy of United Nations Information Centre, Ikoyi,
Lagos, Nigeria.
In UNOY calendar of activities for 2005, an
elaborate Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshops on peace building and
related issues have been fixed for August 12th (International Youth
Day) and September 21st 2005 (International Day for Peace).
Meanwhile UNOY has received many invitation letters nationally,
regionally and internationally for skill building seminars/ workshops
on peace building including Aburi, Ghana (August 1st - 7th 2005),
Nairobi, Kenya, July 2005, May 3-5, 2005, Lagos, Nigeria etc.
Early
March 2005 UNOY had a nationwide peace walk to protest the obnoxious
and dastardly act of children trafficking which shows the height of
man's inhumanity to man in Nigeria. In this particular case, a
woman and her collaborators connived and packed sixty four (64)
children like Sardenes in a container from Niger State with the hope of
transferring them to abroad via our neighboring African countries but
luck ran out of them as the vehicle was apprehended in Amukoko- a
surburb of Lagos and their dirty deal uncovered. Ref.-Daily Sun ,March
7th 2005.
In April 20th 2005,in Chelsea Suites,Festac
Town,Lagos ,Nigeria. UNOY NIGERIA organised a national seminar with the
theme"INCULCATING THE CULTURE OF PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE IN NIGERIAN
YOUTHS:A REFLECTION OF THE LIFE AND THOUGHTS OF AN ICON OF
PEACE"--OLUSOLA.This event which brought Nigerian Youths from all the
36 states of Nigeria and Abuja also marked the seventhieth(70)birthday
of the chairman board of patron of UNOY,Chief(Ambassador)Segun
Olusola,former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia.He is the founder/patron
African Refugees Foundation(AREF)and Chairman , Governing Board
National Commission for Refugees . Also Chairman of the OAU
Commission on Refugees (1988-1993),leader of the OAU Zambian Election
Monitoring Team (1991)and of the OAU Monitoring Group on Violence in
South Africa(1992)etc. He mediated in many peaceful resolutions of
conflicts not only in Nigeria/Africa but the entire globe at large.
Youths with practical experiences on how to resolve conflicts
non-violently and build peace mutually in the society came with
various ideas.Scolars from various schools of thaught made
presentations .At last a Communique was issued which articulated the
various decisions reached.This was a day Nigerian Youths resolved to
achieve their various challenges
witout violence!
In conclusion,
there are many other ways, which UNOY has promoted the International
decade for a culture of peace and Non-violence for the children and
youth of our world in Nigeria and the Globe at large but owing to time
and space could not be enumerated.
UNITED NATIONS OF YOUTH (UNOY)NETWORK NIGERIA marks the world Refugees Day 2004(june 20th 2004)
with the theme:"A place to call home"
Major highlights include :bestowing of honourary
PEACE AWARD of Excellence to an ICON of Peace -Chief
(Ambassador)Olusegun Olusola(Mni,Ofr)-former Nigerian Ambassador to
Ethiopia-to encourage Nigerian Youths to emulate him in such a
great height.
Extreme left to right :Mr Sackie Morlon,President of
Liberian Refugees in Nigeria,Mrs.Vicky Obasoju-UN Expert from
Rome,Italy,Mr Nosa Osazuwa-National Information Officer ,UN Information
Centre,Lagos,etc.
Displaying the PEACE Award (Plaque)is Chief
(Amb,)Olusola.By his right is His Royal Majesty ,Alhaji( Chief)Umaru
Yinusa-The Hausa King in Festac Town,Lagos followed by The National
Executive President of UNOY--PRINCE Goodluck Obi among many others
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
We
would want to advice the Sec.Gen. and the Gen.Assembly to try to breach
the gap between the North and the South as this gap widens everyday
leaving the developing countries(SOUTH)poorer while leaving the North
richer.If this gap is not breached there will not be progress in the
world.Civil Societies in the North/Africa shold be encouraged and
supported to attend international meetings where they can acquire
technical know-how,skills and best practices that will make for
progress.Networking/Collaboration of poor civil societies should be
srenghtened in the second half of the decade.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
United
Network of Young Peace Builders(UNOY Foundation),Nigerian
National Commission For UNESCO,African Refugees Foundation(AREF),United
Nations Agencies in Nigeria,African Network of Young Peace
Builders(ANYP)Development Information Network(DEVNET)Transition
Monitoring Group(TMG)Human Rights Information Network(HURINET)Committee
for Defence of Human Rights(CDHR)etc.
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
UNOY
NIGERIA has concluded plans to release our work plan for the second
half of the decade (2005-2010)with great expectation that we shall
access funds from donor agencies to make our projections a job well
done.
In addition to the work plan ,a serious focus is
placed on Sept.21st annually--the international day of peace with
one special programme or another.
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Postal address of organization
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C/0 United Nations Information Centre,17 Alfred Rewane Road Ikoyi,P.O.BOX 299 Festac Town,lagos,NIGERIA.
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E-mail address of organization
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unoynetnigeria@hotmail.com,unoy_nigeria@yahoo.com
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Website address of organization
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http//www.unoynetnigeria.8m.net
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education For a Culture of Peace.
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Human Rights
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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NIGERIA.
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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INTERNATIONAL
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