ACTION AND CONTACTS
Initiative for a peaceful march to the year 2000
Africa Peace Point is an umbrellaorganisation of grassroots initiatives
that work in the fields of conflict transformation, PEACEBUILDING and
development. It was founded in mid 1998 and aims at creating a culture of
peace in the local communities inAfrica; particularly in East Africa, the
Sudan and the Great Lakes region. Africa Peace Point aspires to enhance
reconciliation initiatives among different communities at conflict.
Africa Peace Point derives a lot of inspiration from the Social Teachings
of the Catholic Church although it works with all people regardless of
their religious affiliations. Key to Africa Peace Point initiatives is
research in Biblical as well as Afro-centric models of peacemaking and
sharing information on PEACEBUILDING with other organisations.
Many peace groups exist in Kenya, but there is a general laxity in
documenting their experiences. This has led to a scarcity of resource
material on PEACEBUILDING developed in Africa for the African People.
Further due to resource constraints earlier efforts towards the same have
been frustrated.
Objectives
APPseeks to fulfill the following objectives:
- Network with peace and justice organizations both locally and
internationally.
- Identify areas and points where the APP can most strongly participate
and offer support to grassroots peace and justice work.
- Research and validate traditions of peace in Africa with a view to
informing the current peacebuilding practice
- Develop human capacity for peace and justice work at the grassroots
level.
- Develop a database of peace and justice organizations in Africa.
ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS
In seeking to fulfill its objectives , APP will undertake the following
activities:
- Research and Documentation
Three times in a year, flyers will be prepared on select key topics and
circulated as widely as possible. A database of groups doing peace
engaged in peace work at the grassroots level especially those inspired
by the social teachings of the Catholic Church will be developed.A
directory of grassroots peace groups and practiioners will be published
by APP by December 1999. The research program will also assist in
evaluating the work of APP.
- School program
APP will organize pastoral programs with various secondary schools',
Universities' and Colleges' peace and justice clubs. During these
sessions participants will be able to discuss various peace and justice
issues. Apart from APP members we hope to collaborate with other
individuals and organisations in the facilitation ofthe sessions. Note
that with this activity we have already started in some secondary schools
and parishes. So far we have been dealing with the youth.
- Reflection Day
Every two months members of APP will meet for a reflection day where key
issues will be discussed and the work of APP evaluated.
- Publication of Peace Pamphlets
APP publishes two peace pamphlets every two months. All the topics are
chosen around the theme peace. These are meant for personal, group
reflections as well as teaching guide.The language is meant for anyone
who has some basic reading knowledge.
ACTIVITIES
The project will undertake the following activities: Publishing of a
pamphlet every two months and distribute it free of charge to relevant
institutions, organisations and individuals country wide, build some
resource material on peace and conflict and make it available for leaders
and other interested persons., select, prepare and assist the teams to
prepare materials (Pamphlets, skits, plays, questionnaires, working
sheets, etc.), to be used when invited by schools, associations, groups,
parishes, among other activities
ADMINISTRATION
Africa Peace Point is currently headed by a steering committee of three
organisations: Caritas Ambrosiana - an NGO which assists in capacity
building of grassroots initiatives in Kenya; Amani Peope's Theater (APT)
- A group of young volunteers which uses participatory theater techniques
in conflict analysis, transformation, peacebuilding and non-violence;
Koinonia Community - A lay Christian organisation operating a media
centre that publishes a monthly bulletin called AFRICANEWS and Kivuli
Centre, a community based organisation which takes care of disadvantaged
children, single parents empowerment project and income generation
projects for the youth.
For further informationcontact:
Co-ordinator, Michael Ochieng'
Africa Peace Point
P. O. Box 21573 Nairobi, KENYA
Tel/Fax: +254.2.577892, Email: [email protected]
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