IMCS AFRICA PEACE UNITS PROGRAM-KENYA

PROGRAMME UPDATE FROM MAY TO DECEMBER 2007

May 2007

1.      Call for Participation of the Pup Internships

A hundred applications were received, eight participants were short-listed and two selected as the best candidates. These are Mary Wangui and John Njoroge. John served for the July-September 2007 period while Mary served for the September-December 2007 period.

2.      Participation in a Session of Conflict Management and Resolution in Uganda

The PUP participated in the consultation on the Great Lakes region whose theme was, Searching for Sustainable Peace, organized by Religions for Peace. The PUP Coordinator represented the youth in the forum.

3. Civic Education Session – Kenyatta University

This workshop was held in Kenyatta University on the 26^th May 2007. The theme for this workshop was: Cultivating Good Governance in Student Organizations.

Among other things discussed were: Participation of students in politics; which way for future leaders, the students’ body -KUSA Elections 2007, the interface between the Ethics and leadership, resources mobilization and accountability.  A total of 315 student leaders were trained.

4.      Pup Participates in the University for Peace Workshop on Conflict Management and Resolution in African Universities

Mrs. Lilian Boit and Ms. Mulaeh participated in a short course in conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa . This was held in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia between 28^th May and 1^st June 2007. 

June 2007

1)      PUP holds the first Training for Trainers on Civic Education

The objectives for this training were to empower 20 members of the Taskforce committee and 15 members of the National steering committee with the skills to carry out civic education, to devise strategies to carry out the relevant civic education forums in each tertiary institution and to explore the challenges the task of carrying out the campaign.                              

2)      Egerton University Holds its First Peace Cultural Week

It started with a peace march on Monday followed by a football match between the Guards and the students on Wednesday (the original plan was a football match between police and the students). There were also regional meetings on Cultural Diversity for Peace and training for 100 student leaders on good governance.

3)      Egerton University Holds a Workshop on Good Governance

The Peace Units program partnered with the Egerton University in co-hosting the workshop on good governance. The participants noted that the workshop was particularly educative on budgeting, planning and project implementation, and grant proposal writing and delivery leadership. A total of 100 students directly benefited from this workshop.

July 2007

1.      Jomo Kenyatta University Holds a Round Table for Peace Forum

On the 6^th July 2007, PUP Jomo Kenyatta brought together 120 stakeholders to discuss how they could better the relationship between them. We applaud the Jomo Kenyatta University community as it revives its Peace Unit.

2. Peace and Reconciliation workshop for NGO’s in Eastern and Central Africa held in Tanzania

Mr. Kenneth Nyagena, a member of the taskforce represented Peace Units Program in a 2 weeks training course sponsored by Foreign Embassy and the Institute of Peace . Future collaborations are sought with the Institute     

3. Kibera Soweto cleanup

On the 28^th July 2007, Student from the Lower Kabete campus and the Kenyatta University participated in a clean up organized by the PUP in partnership with the Kibera Soweto Youth Group. In total 58 students were involved in this event.

AUGUST 2007

1.                  Special Consultation Meeting  

PUP held a special consultation meeting at Egerton University- Njoro ARC hotel on 14^th-17^th August 2007. The meeting brought together administrators and students with the aim of developing a strategic plan for the next three years. The objectives of the meeting were

• To review PUP’s relevance in the respective institutions today
• To reflect upon the programme’s impact in the greater society
• To undertake a strategic plan for the programme for the next 3 years

September 2007

·         Publishing and launching of the Peace Units Guidelines

October 2007

·         Civic Education forum for Laikipia Campus

·         Training of 100 student leaders in Leadership and Good Governance in Laikipia campus

·         Round table for Peace Forum in Kenyatta University

November 2007

·         Round tables for peace forum in Moi University

·         Civic Education forum in Moi University

December 2007

·         Civic Education forum in Kikuyu campus

·         Civic Education forum in Kenyatta University

·         Civic Education in Main Campus- School of Architecture

Conclusion 

The Peace Units Programme has been a pilot project that has stabilized the Kenyan tertiary institutions in the past few years to become havens of peace. It has been a path to peace. As we join hands to continue spreading the message, let’s remember the words of Jim Wallis`` Anyone can love peace but Jesus didn’t say, blessed are the peace lovers’, He said, `Peacemakers.’ He is referring to a life of vocation not a hobby on the sidelines of life.