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Posted: Aug. 07 2006,13:33 by David from INTERNATIONAL - Fundacion Cultura de Paz
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World Peace Prayer Society, The Gambia Chapter.
FIRSTY, IS YOUR ORGANISATION YOUTH- LED OR PRIMARILY YOUTH SERVING?
World
Peace Prayer Society The Gambia Chapter is primarily Youth-Serving, as
our Aims and Objectives are geared towards the Active Nonviolence
attainment of a Culture of Peace at grassroots levels using both
school-going and non-school- going youth and children as our Entry
Points in Their homes/ neighbourhood communities; thereby Exiting
throughout communities in which they live, or wherever they may find
themselves. The Peace Pals, Kids for Peace and Youth for Peace
Programme/ projects/ Activities have ensured a reconditioned frame of
mind ready to accelerate UN's Decade for a Culture of Peace and
nonviolence in The Gambia with the Peace Prayer May Peace Prevail on
Earth becoming a household message especially so in the Greater Banjul
Area..
1. ORGANISATIONAL ACTIVITIES
© Achievement\Activities:
The Chapter has carried out a lot of activities and, subsequently, achieved much in The Gambia.
1999-2002.
" The Chapter formally applied, and approval was given for its registration with the Government of The Gambia.
"
Distribution of Peace Gifts (stickers, hand flyers and desktop Peace
Poles) in different parts of the country, bearing the message and
prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth!"
" The appointment of 10 coordinators to serve in urban and rural communities.
"
Dedication and Planting of 1 wooden and 7 metallic Peace Poles in Kombo
Saint Mary's, North Bank, Central River, Lower River and Upper River
Divisions.
" Establishment of 10 Peace Pal Clubs in senior
secondary schools, and 3 Peace Clubs in nursery and primary schools in
the Kombo Saint Mary's Division.
" Establishment of 2 Youth for Peace Clubs in 2 churches and 3 local Youth for Peace Clubs in Bakoteh , Sukuta and Serrekunda.
"
Hosting of all Peace Pal / Youth for Peace Clubs, and other Peace-
focused and Child Rights groups / organizations in a symposium entitled
'Pathways to Peace and Stability in the West African Sub Region' in the
SOS.Hermann Gmeiner Assembly Hall.
.
2001-2003.
"
Establishment of 5 more Peace Pal Clubs in senior secondary schools, 2
in junior secondary and 3 in nursery and primary schools in different
parts of the country.
" Presentation of 1 Peace Pole (commemoration of September 11 terrorist attacks) to the U.S.A. Embassy in The Gambia.
" Appointment of the Mayor of Banjul as Peace Day Committee honorary chairperson:"100 Days of Peace".
"
Hosting of "De Buddy's": a sensational teenage musical group from the
Netherlands, (for 1 day) whilst they were touring The Gambia in their
global campaign against in violence, discrimination and injustice in
The SOS Hermann Gmeiner Assembly Hall.
" Honoring and Celebration
of the "100 Days of Peace"-June 13 to September 21,2003- through
international as well as traditional Gambian peace education and peace
building methods. This put an additional focus on UN's International
Day of Peace, as advocated by visionary congressman Dennis J.Kucinich.
"
Collaboration with the School of Metaphysics (based in Montana, U.S.A.
) by participating in the Dedication of the World's First Peace Dome;
and the synchronized Reading of the Covenant of Peace. This entailed a
2-day programme, wherein 2 Christian clergymen, 2 Muslim clerics and 1
Rastafarian priest led the assemblage in prayers.
" Participation,
alongside groups from both the public and private sectors, in an
11-kilometer march past against HIV\AIDS on December 1:World AIDS Day,
which was organised by NAS (National Aids Secretariat) and K.M.C.
(Kanifing Municipal Council).
" Hosting of the Youth Ambassadors of Peace (YAP), The Gambia in a symposium entitled "Peace and conflict Resolution "
" Inauguration of weekly "Making Peace where I live (MAPWIL)" meetings for Peace
Pal / Youth for Peace Clubs.
" Celebration of Peace Feast involving peace songs, poems and poster presentations
heightened by the cooking and sharing of "Ebeh" porridge, which
signifies Peace and Harmonious Co-existence.
January 2004 till Date
" Implementation of weekly "Making Peace where I live (MAPWIL)" meetings for Peace Pal / Youth for Peace Clubs.
"
Organization of a symposium entitled "Making Peace and Non Violence
Work in our time" hosted by the Saints ( St Joseph and St Augustine 's
Peace Pals /Youth for Peace Clubs) in the St Joseph 's Multi-purpose
Assembly Hall in Banjul City . This ended with a Peace Pole
Planting / Peace Garden Dedication ceremony in the fore court of
the school's administrative Building.
" Participation in the "Commemoration of the 10th
Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide Conference" hosted by the African
Union (AU), The Gambia.
" Participation in a three-day "Capacity
Building Training Workshop on collaborative Peace building for Civil
Society Organizations (CSO's)" organized by West African Network for
Peacebuilding (WANEP), in The Gambia.
" Participation in a
five-day "Training of Trainer Workshop on Peace Education" organized by
West African Network for Peace building (WANEP), in
The Gambia
FUND RAISING.
WPPSGC is a member-supported organization. Members mainly support the activities of the chapter.
CONSTRAINTS.
As
the Chapter's membership comprises mostly volunteers that are teachers,
social workers and students, the chapter is highly in need of funding
and promotional materials to enable us to effectively implement our
activities/ projects/programme.
IF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, WHAT YOUTH ACTIVITIES RELATED TO A CoP WILL YOUR ORGANISATION LIKE TO DO.
"
Peace pole planting, Peace Flag Ceremony, Peace Music Initiatives,
Peace Pals, Kids for Peace, Youth for Peace in each school , church,
mosque and community center in the Greater Banjul Area and the other
divisions in the hinterland of The Gambia.
"
Construction/Renting of an office and establishment of a
Youth/Children-center situated in the Greater Banjul Area to raise the
awareness/train both School-going and Non-school-going Youth/Children
in the Culture of Peace value Systems. This center will also serve as a
pilot programme to monitor the afore-mentioned Culture of Peace value
systems with quarterly reports submitted to the appropriate authority
designated by the UN System.
" Yearly celebration of the 100Days of
Peace ( June 13-September 21), in Commemoration of UN declared
International Day of Peace as advocated by US Congressman Dennis
Kucinich.
" Yearly celebration of the Season for Non-Violence
"
Annual Production of youth/ Children CoP brochures and Peace
craft based on unhealthy competition with winners and other
participants receiving certification by the UN Secretary General.
" Provision of Stipends for all appointed Volunteer Coordinators.
(1d) WHAT NON- FINANCIAL SUPPORT WILL YOUR ORGANISATION NEED TO DO THESE ACTIVITIES?
"
Provision of Vehicles (Bicycles, Motorcycles and a 4WD Van) to
facilitate adequate mobility in pursuance of the targeted goals of CoP
in throughout the different divisions of The Gambia.
" A video
Camera, Public address System, Digital Camera,
Television/Video Recorder/ DVD, Portable generator, a Laptop
Computer and a projector, T-shirts with UN Culture of Peace Printed on
them.
" Capacity building of our coordinators by UN Personnel
"
Invitation and Participation of our Youth and their Coordinators in
relevant UN Seminars/ workshops/ Symposia/Conferences e.t.c
2. SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT AND THE UN
(a) WHAT CHANGES IN YOUTH POLICIES DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT/ LEADERSHIP SHOULD MAKE TO SUPPORT A CoP?
(a)WHAT CHANGES IN YOUTH POLICIES DO YOU THINK THE GOVERENMENT OF LEADERSHIP IN YOUR COUNTRY SHOULD MAKE TO PROMOTE A CoP?
Specifically,
the government needs to be more proactive in imbibing
the CoP
in youth/children through Peace Education as part and parcel of
the school curriculum. Also they should encourage the more youth-led or
youth-serving organization their duties.
(b)WHAT YOUTH ACTIVITIES DO YOU THINK THE UN SHOULD CARRY OUT?
UN System should ensure that The Gambia Government creates a level
playing ground for all youth organizations/groups irrespective of
religious, national, racial, ethnic, social or political
belief/background. The government urgently need a 180degrees shift in
its policies if the attainment of a realistic CoP, within the set time
frame as advocated by the UN System.
OTHER QUESTIONS
3. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS (UN, GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SOCIETY)?
"
Peace pole planting, Peace Flag Ceremony, Peace Music Initiatives,
Peace Pals, Kids for Peace, Youth for Peace in each school , church,
mosque and community center in the Greater Banjul Area and the other
divisions in the hinterland of The Gambia.
"
Construction/Renting of an office and establishment of a
Youth/Children-center situated in the Greater Banjul Area to raise the
awareness/train both School-going and Non-school-going Youth/Children
in the Culture of Peace value Systems. This center will also serve as a
pilot programme to monitor the afore-mentioned Culture of Peace value
systems with quarterly reports submitted to the appropriate authority
designated by the UN System.
" Yearly celebration of the 100Days of
Peace ( June 13-September 21), in Commemoration of UN declared
International Day of Peace as advocated by US Congressman Dennis
Kucinich.
" Yearly celebration of the Season for Non-Violence
"
Annual Production of youth/ Children CoP brochures and Peace
craft based on unhealthy competition with winners and other
participants receiving certification by the UN Secretary General.
" Provision of Stipends for all appointed Volunteer Coordinators.
4. WHAT COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE/ ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND FLOW OF INFORMATION IN PROMOTING CoP?
"
Specifically, the government needs to be more proactive in imbibing
the CoP in youth/children through Peace Education as part
and parcel of the school curriculum. Also they should encourage the
more youth-led or youth-serving organization their duties.
" UN
System should ensure that The Gambia Government creates a level playing
ground for all youth organizations/groups irrespective of religious,
national, racial, ethnic, social or political belief/background. The
government urgently need a 180degrees shift in its policies if the
attainment of a realistic CoP, within the set time frame as advocated
by the UN System.
5, TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE BENEFIT
OF A UN VOLUNTARY FUND FOR YOUTH ON THE CoP, HOW SHOULD IT BE MANAGED/
ADMINISTERED.
UN Secretary General's Office to appoint an
internationally recognized official with at least 5 years work in
Youth/Children CoP programme, stationed at UNDP Office in each country
of the world to Advise, Coordinate, Evaluate and Disburse funds
directly to every youth organization that is actively involved in CoP
activities/projects and programme.
This special appointee should
be freely accessible to every Youth CoP organization working in each
country, for the lack of goodwill have adversely stagnated the
realistic achievement of the U N's set hardcore value systems of
CoP by Youth/Children organizations working at grass roots levels
- particularly in marginalized communities in not The Gambia but in
many other countries Earth.
6.
Through formal sessions
(workshops, seminars, conferences, symposia and meetings) and informal
sessions (the establishment of youth-friendly drop-in-centres in their
localities hangout places, distribution of peace stickers and other
Peace Gifts, and the organization of flexible CoP activities like
football / basketball, volleyball peace tournaments, etc on ANV basis.
7. Youth Ambassadors of Peace, Bajito Onda Human right group
8. Organizational Opinion
***************************
From: Emeka Onyekwere, gambiaworldpeaceprayersociety@yahoo.com
To: mail@decade-culture-of-peace.org
Date: Sunday, August 6, 2006 10:14:45 PM
Subject: Re: Bulletin of World Report on the Culture of Peace for July/August 2006
Dear Mr.Adams,
Please
see the attached response to the questionaires for yoour references. We
are very sorry for the late submission. This is due to power outages
within our localities during this period.
We kindly apologise and regrets any inconvenience it may have caused your office.
Thank you.
Yours in His Infinite Peace
Emeka Ignatius Onyekwere.
(Leader/ Representative of the World Peace Prayer Society, The Gambia Chapter)
Phone: 00220-9914886
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