by Ombok Otieno |
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Why the appeal started
The conflicts of the second half of this 20th century, with the devastating power of their atomic and chemical weapons, have shown that the human species and its environment under threat of extinction. Violence, under so many forms, has invaded human society. It is therefore urgent to do everything in our power with determination and tenacity, to reverse the processes, which have made our 20th century the scene of the greatest carnage in history.
We will transmit to the children of the third millennium the wonders of our technology, with its promises of progress in all of life's spheres. But our legacy is also our sick planet, global economic war in our global economic village, a human family, broken and confused worshipping before the altar of the Free Market. If we are to escape from the ever- increasing threat of famines, war, exclusion, poverty and ecological catastrophes, then our children must acquire the wisdom that we lack.
This aim of appeal is not senseless dramatization. The aim of the appeal is to bring people together to reflect, in the simplest of terms, on the future we want to built for our children and ourselves. Never in human history has humankind disposed of so much power to transform itself and its world, the possibilities for creating a better life and a healthier environment or for destroying it all. Life is permanent transformation by organic processes.
If we as human beings do not, at long last, try to achieve Peace and give ourselves to achieve Peace through Non-Violence, then we will have opted for extinction. But Peace is not an inborn reflex. It is something to be acquired, learnt, merited. We believe that it is our duty to participate in the unfolding of a peace generation. Our duty also is to invite our children, and, through them, future generations, to avoid our own errors, and break free from the suicidal culture of violence that we live in. It is our duty to help them become aware of the possible alternatives, so that they may leave in self-respect, at peace with their consciences, at peace with their world.
What is Nonviolence?
Non-Violence can be a way of life, deeply rooted in a spiritual tradition. Others recognize Active Non-Violence (ANV) as an effective political tactic that has been used to win national independence, build trade unions and stop wars. There are as many definitions of ANV as there are activists. But all definitions of ANV do have two points in common. First and foremost, ANV means respect for life-all life, including the life of an enemy or stranger. ANV is also a vigorous and prompt response to injustice.
ANV training empowers people, giving them the skills to face their fears and challenge those in power. All systems of injustice need peoples' cooperation to continue. When the cooperation is withdrawn, the system collapses. Reconciliation, or the healing of divisions, is another essential component in building a just society. A lasting peace can
only be established when former enemies have been brought together and the past pain laid to rest.
What is a "Culture of Nonviolence?"
A culture of non-violence is based on the values of love, compassion, justice and harmony. It rejects violence as a means of approaching conflict. Instead, a culture of non-violence embraces communication, democratic decision making and non-violent conflict resolution. It is the basis of freedom, security and equitable relationships. It is a process for a
life of reconciliation. A culture of non-violence nurtures inner peace and personal transformation.
In such a culture, children are taught conflict resolution and respect for human rights both at home and in their schools. A culture of non-violence encourages individual group action for social and structural change.
A culture of non-violence rejects systems of oppression and calling on Governments to dismantle all weapons or war, they work for greater international cooperation and equitable distribution of resources.
A culture of non-violence embraces the non-violent understanding present in all spiritual practices. People of faith are united in their quest for peace and justice.
A culture of non-violence recognizes the richness of all our diverse societies. It is not a homogenized culture, indeed, it embraces many varied cultures of non-violence, and celebrates the non-violent traditions and histories present within each society.
What is the Spirituality of Active Non-Violence?
A Spirituality is a way of life (a system like any other), that is complete when all components are available and are functioning through a well established mechanism to the best of its ability for the purpose of its creation, invention or design toward positive output aimed at bettering what is already in place or a totally new ideology that is replacing the
existing one.
Many systems have been designed in the world to improve governance, consumption, transport among others; these external institutions are aimed at improving humanity, if that has been achieved is a big debate, but it can be assessed by looking at how they affect humanity.
On the other hand Spirituality is that systems; an internal institution that challenges individuals and societies by critically looking at relationships; God, fellow human beings and Nature, through prudent means that respect all beings.
The Spirituality of Active Non-Violence is embodied in its pillars:
Belief in One God;
Seeking Justice on a daily basis through peaceful means;
Giving one's s life to serve others; self-giving love;
Option for the Poor, thinking and giving priority to the less privileged;
But all four are interconnected and interdependent toward an ideal world. this world is in pain today because many of us are living contrary or are hypocritical to the four pillars above.
What Chemchemi Ya Ukweli (CYU) is doing for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence
Chemchemi Ya Ukweli (CYU) or Wellspring of Truth is an interfaith peace movement initiated in 1997 by a small group of religious leaders concerned about the growing state of violence in Kenya. CYU' s main desire is to work for social change (justice, peace and reconciliation) through Active Non-Violence to fulfill its vision of achieving, a
(Kenyan) society that embraces the spirituality of Active Non-Violence (ANV) for conflict prevention and transformation in order to achieve a sustainable culture of peace and reconciliation. This vision is fed by CYU's mission, which seeks to define, adopt and implement creative principles relating to conflict prevention, transformation and reconciliation through the philosophy of Active Non-Violence.
These aspirations are articulated in the following goals to which CYU is committed:
1. Increased qualitative and quantitative use of Active Non-violence by civil
2. society organizations in Kenya to achieve justice and peace by the year 2002.
3. A (Kenyan) civil society equipped with Active Non-Violence (ANV) principles.
4. Reduced prevalence of violence in Kenya by the year 2002.
This means that other than the object of raising awareness and use of ANV principles and methods by individuals and groups in Kenya, CYU will also work for the increase of its capacity to implement, monitor and evaluate ANV movement in Kenya and improve networking with individuals and organizations in training and sharing information on ANV methods in Kenya
The achievement of an organic culture of peace by use of the non-violence spirituality (way of life) in conflict analysis and transformation is CYU's daily concern in its peace building efforts. The following projects are undertaken by CYU in order to fulfill its aims and objectives.
Basic Training and Training of Trainers in ANV in Kenya and the Great Lakes Region.
Training in Alternative Systems; Civil Society Initiatives :- Leadership,
Economics, Politics, Constitutionalism, Culture, Land and Poverty Constitution of Kenya Review Process, Context and Content
What Kenya can do for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence
This is the International Year for a Culture of Non-Violence and Peace. This year is demanding that in all our activities, we change our attitude from that of dependence to interdependence, from that of exploitation to sharing, from that of
competition to a win-win result, from that of consumerism to that of voluntary simplicity.
It also calls for an attitude of free will to that of indoctrination, from that of extreme conservatism to that of goodwill, from that of arrogance to understanding, from that of learning/teaching by/through punishment to that of learning/teaching by/through understanding, from media publicity to anonymous philanthropy, from violent approaches and responses to peaceful means.
It refers to the tendency to help rather than criticize, to appraise rather than dismiss, to act more than state, initiate more than accuse, love more than pity, appreciate poverty more than despise the poor, buy local products rather than promote cheap/expensive and sometimes harmful imported goods. Look for Africa Peace Traditions found in our stories, language, proverbs, sayings, leadership, colours, cultural order and heritage, rite of passage, ancestors, land (animals, forests, water, food, fire, earth and air), music and the ARTS. On the ARTS? Please do not encourage piracy.
Participate in democratic process/civil and human rights activities rather than oppose/avoid political initiatives, support the civil society and the government alike, prefer gender equity and equal opportunity to sexism, respect children as adults in the making.
Take care of the environment by reduced plastic use. STOP DUMPING (anywhere) FOR HEAVENS SAKE and recycle as much as you can. Walk and encourage the use of public transport as much as you can, and give lifts to neighbours as much as it is possible. Reduce extravagant weddings and other parties and support neighbourhood and club activities.
Avoid violent literature from the mass media, luring advertisements, derogatory and abusive language. Be creative and avoid stereotyping.
Encourage the sense of humour and concern for the vulnerable in Society like Students, Victims, Youth, Women, Children, Disabled and Artists.
At the national level support a PEOPLE-DRIVEN and CENTRED KENYA CONSTITUTION REVIEW PROCESS and CONTENT. This means that the people, as in the present Act, manage the process, and the content is also PEOPLE CENTRED through this, it is Kenyans hope that they will renegotiate their social contract with the state anew and for posterity. For this is the structural/institutional WAY to reduce state violence namely poverty, corruption, insecurity, torture, land grabbing, pollution, domestic violence, education, debts, forest destruction and abuse of water and other natural resources.
At the international level, condemn military solution and the USA/UNO war/counter-violence (peacekeeping) missions. Campaign for debt cancellation, ban nuclear and landmines, trade in small arms, advocate for better services and recognition of Refugee and Internal Displaced People (IDP).
Lastly is a reminder, that the spirituality of ANV calls for the worship of one GOD (in different faiths), seeking JUSTICE for all, supporting the POOR and ready to give life for TRUTH (self-giving Love).
CYU is ready to support active nonviolent activities and processes countrywide as we begin this important year. Have a Non-Violent Resolution.
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