The Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL) and Interpeace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on efforts towards the achievement of sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
The MoU was signed on 14 April 2016 at the CEPGL Secretariat in Gisenyi, Rwanda, by CEPGL Executive Secretary Herman Tuyaga and Interpeace Regional Director for Eastern and Central Africa, Johan Svensson.
“This partnership will make an important contribution to the consolidation of peace in the Great Lakes region,” CEPGL Executive Secretary Tuyaga remarked at the signing ceremony.
The CEPGL is an intergovernmental organization that brings together Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was created in 1976 to ensure the peace and security of the three member states, as well as to develop public interest activities that promote trade and the free movement of persons. The CEPGL also promotes closer cooperation among the three countries in relation to political, economic and social life in the region.
On its part, Interpeace implements the Cross Border Dialogue for Peace in the Great Lakes programme in the three CEPGL member states, working in collaboration with six partner organizations in Burundi, Eastern DRC and Rwanda. The cross border programme aims to help build cooperation and trust between Burundian, Congolese and Rwandan citizens who can act as change agents for peace at the regional level. During two participatory action research processes conducted in the framework of this programme that directly reached over 2,000 people, citizens clearly expressed their hopes in the CEPGL and the crucial role it can play for peace, collaboration and development in the region. It is based on this call that Interpeace and the CEPGL established a formal partnership.
“The regional perspective is key when it comes to sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region. This is why it is strategic for Interpeace to have this partnership with CEPGL, in order to contribute to durable peace, security and economic development in the region,” Interpeace’s regional Director, Johan Svensson said.
One of the most important points of convergence between CEPGL and Interpeace is the shared trust in the potential of the youth to act as effective agents of peace in the region.
“Although the youth have historically been manipulated to fuel conflict in the region, they are also the key to a peaceful future. We look forward to continuing our work with CEPGL on youth, to help support young men and women in their role as constructive forces for peace and development,” Mr Svensson added.
Interpeace launched the cross border programme in 2013. Its programme partners are Never Again Rwanda (NAR) in Rwanda; the Conflict Alert and Prevention Centre (CENAP) in Burundi; the Réseau d’Innovation Organisationnelle (RIO) and l’Action pour la Paix et la Concorde (APC) in the DRC’s South Kivu province, as well as Pole Institute and the Centre d’Etudes Juridiques Appliquées (CEJA) in the country’s North Kivu province.
On April 19th, 2016, speakers from a range of backgrounds will deliver 8-minute talks exploring the theme, “Let’s build peace through diversity” at the first ever Ottawa Peace Talks. The Ottawa Peace Talks are co-organised by the Global Centre for Pluralism and Interpeace.
DATE: Tuesday April 19th, 2016
TIME: Reception at 5:30 PM, the Ottawa Peace Talks will commence at 6:00 PM sharp
PLACE: The Delegation of Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive. Media are asked to check in at the Boteler Street entrance (across from 100 Boteler)
Media opportunities include interviews with speakers and coverage of the event. Accredited media must register with media@pluralism.ca by Friday, April 15th. The event is sold out; any media not registered will unfortunately not be able to attend. There will also be a live webcast of the event at http://peacetalks.net.
Speakers at the Ottawa Peace Talks include:
Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada
Maryam Monsef, Canadian Minister for Democratic Institutions
Roméo Dallaire, retired Lieutenant-General, former Canadian Senator and humanitarian
Alaa Murabit, founder of The Voice of Libyan Women
Emmanuel Jal, former child soldier turned recording artist and activist
Roberta Jamieson, Lawyer, First Nations activist, President and CEO of Indspire
Michele Brandt, Director of Interpeace's Constitution-making for Peace programme
Hamoon Ekhtiari, Director of Strategy and Innovation at Telus
Giovanna Mingarelli, technology entrepreneur
Erum Hasan and Nisreen Ismail, Syrian refugee sponsor and former refugee
Désirée McGraw, Director of Pearson College – United World Colleges
The event will be moderated by Althia Raj, Huffington Post Canada’s Ottawa bureau chief
About the Peace Talks:
The Peace Talks are an international platform that brings together speakers from diverse backgrounds to share their personal stories and ideas to resolve conflict. The Peace Talks were initiated in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2013 at the United Nations through the first-ever Geneva Peace Talks co-organized by Interpeace, the United Nations Office at Geneva and the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.
Countries that emerge from periods of violence or are undergoing complex and profound governance changes often need to rebuild or reform their public sector institutions and the governance relationship between state authorities and citizens. National and international experts/ advisers seek to support these public authorities and other actors, on policy formulation and implementation. Yet reviews of decades of technical assistance show that the expertise provided is not always producing the desired results.
This course seeks to better equip advisers by honing essential interactional and advisory skills, and by offering frameworks and guidance on how to understand and navigate the broader institutional environment and change processes they find themselves in. It creates a space for exchange and learning on the practice of advising from resource people and between participants.
Peacebuilding will not be taught during this course. Rather, it is the participants' expertise, the case studies and exercises that will reflect the real-life challenges of peacebuilding work.
Who is this course for?
This course is relevant if you:
- Are an international or national expert, civilian or uniformed personnel;
- Have a job wherein advising is a major focus;
- Are working with or for national public sector entities;
- Already have some experience, and are currently deployed or about to be redeployed/ reassigned to such a role;
- Have a strong command of the English language.
Main topics of the course:
- Becoming an effective and trusted adviser: the variety of advisory roles and the potential for development;
- Building rapport: Effective communication and managing relationships;
- Understanding capacity and capacity-development strategies;
- Advising effectively across cultures;
- Mentoring, Monitoring and Advising: The approach of the EU and the UN;
- Inclusive governance: multi-stakeholder processes and public participation.
At the end of this course participants will be able to:
- Understand the key elements and dimensions of being an advisor and working in complex settings with local partners;
- Assess some of their personal inclinations, reflexes and interpersonal skills that are central to effective advising;
- Analyze their own working challenges;
- Apply key analytical and methodological frameworks for capacity, change and inclusive governance to their own cases;
- Consciously shape their mode of working as an advisor in the future.
Methodology
The course is geared towards adult learning and uses participatory approaches. It provides a number of carefully selected frameworks and methodologies that advisers can apply to a variety of case studies and realities, in order to better understand and handle the challenges they are confronted with. Next to content inputs, the course works with the participants' own real-life challenges and experience. In addition, they will take part in various exercises which will deepen self-awareness and skill development, complemented by groupwork and exercises.
Application, process and costs
There will be a maximum of twenty participants. Interested individuals are requested to apply, using the application form that can be downloaded from www.ipat-interpeace.org or requested from the course coordinator. Selection will be based on the general participant criteria outlined above, the personal case study found in the application form and so as to have a balance between men and women and uniformed and civilian participants.
There is no course fee and residential expenses of food and accomodation are covered. Participants are responsible for their travel to and from the course venue and possible visa application fees. Health insurance that covers Switzerland is strongly advised.
The course is in English. Translation cannot be provided.
When and where?
The course starts at midday on Monday 22 August, and finishes at midday on Tuesday 30 August. Saturday 27 August will be a day off.
The course takes place at the Chateau de Bossey, some 20km east of Geneva, Switzerland.
Download the application form here.
For more information contact: effectiveadvising@interpeace.org
A multi-sectoral discussion was organized by the Frameworks for Assessing Resilience in Guatemala programme. Given the context of Guatemala, the participation of multiple sectors of society and industry is unique. The programme lasted 22 months and ended with a public presentation of the book “Resilience and peacebuilding.”
The book concerns Guatemalan’s perspective on the ways in which people face up to conflict situations in their society. The findings are based on a consultation involving around 150 key actors of society in 11 departments of the country (Guatemala, Quiché, Totonicapán, San Marcos, Huehuetenango, Jalapa, Zacapa, Izabal, Alta Verapaz, Petén and Escuintla). The consultation included women, indigenous people, youth, politicians and representatives of social organizations. In this context, Interpeace implemented the Frameworks for Assessing Resilience in Guatemala programme in order to identify and promote resilience capabilities existing in Guatemalan society to transform conflict in a non-violent way.
Additionally, a survey, with the support of the Humanitarian Initiative of Harvard University, was conducted in 22 departments with around 4,000 people were interviewed. The results served as the basis for a multi-sectoral dialogue involving various sectors of society. Politicians, representatives of civil society, businessmen and experts all participated. These groups were key to defining the situations to which society is resilience. These groups were primarily resilient to insecurity and violence, socio-environmental conflicts and the issue of political corruption.
Representatives of various sectors of society with political and social influence in Guatemala attended the public release of the book. Each took a moment to express the view of their sector, as well as their experience of the dialogue process.
Norman Martínez, sub-secretary for conflict resolution of Land Affairs Secretary, highlighted that the state sector has already held talks with the private sector. He said each party expressed a willingness to work together and suggested there is awareness of the need to change the habit of each sector working in isolation. Martínez pointed out the need to join efforts to reach agreements that transcend and transform conflicts of the Guatemalan population.
Meanwhile Eduardo Aguirre, manager of inter-institutional relations at Cementos Progreso, lauded the scientific and investigative value of the research. One of the greatest achievements of this process, he said, was its success in involving multiple sectors of society.
Aguirre also expressed that the private sector needs to change and learn to apologize when necessary, but it also needs to redesign its policy on investment by returning to the practice of seeking permission before launching projects.
While Helmer Velásquez, Director of the Executive Coordination of NGOs and Cooperatives of Guatemala (CONGCOOP), stressed that it is necessary to break the narrow view that major conflicts will result in less investment.
Rokael Cardona, the Commissioner of Dialogue and Decentralization, attended on behalf of the Vice-President of the Republic, Jafeth Cabrera. He said that the government is currently creating different spaces for dialogue. However, he also stressed that patience is needed as it is important to know how to listen to stakeholders.
Resilience capabilities within society
Ana Glenda Tager, Regional Director for Interpeace Latin America, explained that the process was implemented in three countries simultaneously: East Timor, Liberia and Guatemala. The project was generously supported by the Swedish International cooperation agency.
Mariel Aguilar, Country Coordinator of the Interpeace Guatemala programme and Director of the resilience process, explained the different phases of the programme; scan, query, participatory action research, surveys and quantitative analysis and advocacy dialogue with stakeholders representing sectors of Guatemalan society.
In combination, these phases explore the resilience mechanisms that allow individuals, groups, communities and the general public to confront situations that are harmful to their quality of life, or situations that arise as a result of conflict.
This process is important in encouraging participants to reflect, analyze and debate the possibilities posed by the perspective of resilience in the transformation of conflicts by non-violent means. Interpeace provides spaces for dialogue between the participants to facilitate this.
Otto Argueta, Learning and Policy Officer at Interpeace, presented the most important findings of the Interpeace and Harvard University poll. The survey demonstrated the characteristics of Guatemalan society and its resilience while encapsulating the regional differences and variations in age, gender, ethnicity and income.
Argueta stressed that, in the case of Guatemala, trust between public institutions and the community depends on the proximity of the state with people. In addition, social participation varies in relationship of formality or informality depending on the forms of participation.
"I believe that the contribution that this group has made, through excellent methodology, mediation and team work, has generated an excellent result represented in part by this book,” Argueta said. “What I hope for rests not only on an analysis of theoretical national reality and problems which we live, but on a proposal that is echoed in the public and private institutions".
The closing remarks were made by Ivanova Ancheta, the former Vice Minister of energy and mines and an independent consultant, and Undersecretary of international cooperation in Segeplan Víctor Ayala.
Ancheta emphasized that the study of this book provides a perspective on Guatemalan’s resilience, their actions, aspirations and priorities.
Víctor Ayala recalled that Guatemalan culture has violence as part of its historical heritage and "must deconstruct the image that we have of the other, thinking that he is our enemy because he doesn't think like us." All of us have a right to dissent and to think differently, but this does not imply that we are enemies, he concluded.
Filmomena Mascarenhas, a deeply committed peacebuilder, has worked with Voz di Paz since 2007. Prior to this she worked within the Ministry of National Defence in Guinea-Bissau, an experience which left her with a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the military. Here she recounts her experience, the prejudices she encountered and shares how this shaped her own views.
In my life the most memorable experience was the appointment to the post of Minister of National Defense (April 2003 to May 2004). The appointment did not inspire me as it didn’t align with my personal interests, I never saw myself working in the defense sector. Consequently, I decided not to accept the position and refrained from taking office.
Following this, many friends, and not only mine, urged me to accept the challenge given the difficult situation which our country faced. Out of respect I ended up saying yes.
My first day as Minister of National Defense was tough because it coincided with a meeting convened by the then Chief of the armed forces. The meeting ran from 9:00 to 20:00 and was attended by all the heads of branches, military inspectors, senior officers and commanders of military zones.
During the meeting, the military spoke of the difficult situation which existed in the barracks and asked me to bring their concerns to the President of the Republic Dr. Kumba Yala. This meeting was a shock that opened my eyes. It awakened me to the prejudices I, as a civilian, held towards the military and it gave me a glimpse of the great challenges which this institution had to face.
However, after a few months it seemed that I had always worked in the Ministry. The relationship with the military was the most outspoken I had. For example, during a work meeting, the then Chief of the Armed Forces, in the presence of the Inspector of the Armed Forces, told me the following:
"Miss Minister, you have to know that upon your appointment we were concerned. This also applied to the Inspector who came to me saying that the President did not respect the military, so he appointed a woman, even worse a little girl. Now, you are the one who brings me the Inspector when I ask for him! They tell me, ‘he is at the Ministry with the lady Minister.’” He continued, “One day I told him, ‘Inspector! It seems that you are very fond of our Minister?’ The inspector responded to me, ‘a lot...she is like my niece...the President took time to send her here. If she had been here much earlier, today this institution would be different.”
Many treated me with respect and showed a willingness to collaborate during my stay at the Ministry of National Defense, and this continued even after I had left. As an example, the most profound diagnosis of the causes of conflict in Guinea-Bissau, conducted by Voz di Paz, continues with the participation of military personnel of different rank and office.
Voz di Paz has benefited from this confidence. The connection has made the organization of meetings with the military easier, ensured the availability of their installations for the purpose of work, and resulted in their participation and openness in discussions.
Honestly, from the Ministry, I keep good memories of a frank and honest relationship with the armed forces.
From this experience I learned that you should never give a promise which you cannot keep to a person in the military, and if you want to have authority,then you should never use anything that is intended for your own benefit.
I conclude with this advice to all women: "It is good that you never lack courage and self-esteem. There is no one who has more courage than a woman, proof of this being the act of bringing a human being into the world."
Thanks,
Filomena Mascarenhas
You can read the original article in Portuguese here.
Filomena Mascarenhas, uma construtora de paz dedicada, trabalha desde 2007 com Voz di Paz. Anteriormente, Filomena trabalhou no Ministério da Defesa Nacional da Guiné-Bissau, uma experiência que lhe deu um conhecimento profundo do funcionamento do círculo militar. Aqui nos conta a sua experiência, os preconceitos encontrados, os quais contribuíram a alterar o seu ponto de vista.
A experiência mais marcante da minha vida foi a minha nomeação para o cargo de Ministra da Defesa Nacional (de Abril de 2003 a Maio de 2004).
Esta nomeação estava fora de qualquer interesse meu, porque não me imaginava num cargo ligado à defesa. Em consequência, decidi não aceitar o cargo.
Seguindo isto, muitos amigos e conhecimentos foram ter comigo, aconselhando-me aceitar o desafio, sobretudo no momento em que se vivia no país. Por respeito acabei por aceitar.
O meu primeiro dia como ministra da Defesa Nacional foi muito atormentado. Coincidiu com uma reunião convocada pelo então chefe de Estado Maior General Veríssimo C. Seabra. No encontro que durou das 9:00 as 20:00, estavam presentes todos os chefes de ramos, inspetores militares, oficiais superiores e comandantes de zonas militares.
Durante o encontro, os militares falaram da difícil situação que se vive nas casernas e pediram-me para fazer chegar as suas preocupações ao Presidente da República Dr. Kumba Yala. Esta reunião foi a terapia de choque que me abriu os olhos. Primeiramente sobre os preconceitos que eu tinha como civil em relação aos militares, e em seguida permitiu-me conhecer os grandes desafios que tinha que enfrentar naquela instituição.
Passados poucos meses, parecia-me que sempre tinha trabalhado naquela instituição. O relacionamento com os militares foi dos mais francos que eu tive. Por exemplo, durante uma reunião de trabalho, o então chefe de Estado Maior General das Forças Armadas (FA), General Veríssimo Correia Seabra, na presença do Inspetor da FA Tagme na Waie disse-me: “Senhora Ministra, sabe que aquando da sua nomeação ficamos preocupados. O Inspetor Tagme veio ter comigo dizendo que o Presidente da República não tinha respeito pelos militares, e por isso nomeou uma mulher ao posto de Ministra. Ainda pior, falou duma menininha. Agora, você levou-me o Inspetor! Quando peço por ele, respondem-me que está no ministério com a senhora Ministra.” Ele continuou: “Um dia destes eu disse-lhe: ‘Inspetor, parece que está a gostar muito da nossa Ministra?’ O Inspetor respondeu-me ‘muito, … ela é minha sobrinha … o Presidente demorou para manda-la cá. Se estivesse cá à muito mais tempo, a esta hora esta instituição seria outra’”.
Muitas foram as provas de colaboração e respeito durante a minha estada no Ministério da Defesa Nacional. Mas também depois da minha partida.
A título de exemplo, o diagnóstico mais profundo das causas do conflito na Guiné- Bissau realizado por Voz di Paz, contou com a participação dos militares de diferentes categorias. Voz di Paz tem colhido frutos desta confiança, a começar pela facilidade de planificação de encontros diversos, a disponibilidade de instalações militares para efeitos de trabalho, e o nível de participação e franqueza nos debates.
Até hoje e com sinceridade, guardo boas lembranças daquela instituição e de relacionamentos francos e honestos.
Aprendi que era melhor não fazer promessas que não podem ser cumpridas a um militar. Também aprendi que se alguém quer ter autoridade, não pode usar nada que seja destinado para o seu proveito.
Termino com este conselho a todas as mulheres: “É bom que nunca lhes falte coragem e auto estima. Não há ninguém no mundo que tenha mais coragem do que uma mulher. A prova disto é o ato de dar à luz ”.
Obrigada
Filomena Mascarenhas
