Peace Please!

The Civil Society Forum created a platform for future action in peace building. And gave space to sound self-criticism

By Mai Rasmussen, Information Officer, MS Uganda

29. November 2002

Ideas born. Experiences and good practices shared. Resolutions made.

The three-day Civil Society Forum on Conflict Resolution and Development in Kampala in late October brought together individuals, organisations and institutions aiming at the common goal of strengthening the work for peace, reconciliation and development. The Forum was hosted by MS Uganda and partner organisations.

In her opening remarks MS Uganda Director Ulla Strobech put emphasise on the purpose of the Forum: To strategize for future action and influencing peace agendas.

And this was exactly what happened. The more than 250 participants from Uganda, African neighbouring countries and Europe contributed in the workshops, debates and plenary sessions. Everyone was being evidently devoted to learn from each other and improve on delivery in pursuit for peace.

One central issue was mentioned several times by different speakers and participants: The burning need for strengthening the capacity of the communities to achieve sustainable peace. Among the ideas of how to bring about the capacity needed was peace education, enhancing community solidarity and media activities.

The Forum took off on Thursday October 24^th with Dr. Simon Simonse from Pax Christi in the Netherlands giving his keynote address. Among other issues, he stressed the importance of involving the business sector in peace building.

"A first step is to expose the connection between business and conflict and publicly condemn companies that are responsible for prolonging wars. Only by condemning malpractice will such firms refrain from meddling in conflict. Good business practice is too important to be left to private consciences", he said, urging civil society organisations to develop strategies that promote the responsible behaviour on the part of the business community.

Also, the Forum gave space to self-criticism. Several participants mentioned that some organisations and institutions involved in reconciliation are simply not sufficiently qualified. Or they tend to overlook the danger of creating new conflicts while solving existing ones or working in the field of development.

Mr. Anton Baare, Program Advisor with Danida, put it this way:

"Empowering development inherently increases conflict. Therefore, for conflict to become transformational rather than violent, conflict management needs to be an integral part of development practice".

The Forum was the culmination of two years work under the common MS-theme for 2000-2002, ‘Peace, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation’. MS Uganda originally proposed the theme and has been the leading MS programme to put focus on the burning issue.

By the end of the three intense days the Forum came up with 12 resolutions committing civil society in the future work. Among the resolutions are:

- Develop, promote and implement models of peace / civic education and creative learning as a main avenue for empowerment of the young generation.

- Initiate and sustain public dialogue about structural, cultural, faith motivated and historical causes of conflict, discrimination and injustice.

- Improve the skills of civil society leaders and servants, political decision-makers and military officials as well as the capacities of their respective institutions in the arena of conflict management and promotion of human rights.

- Engage the private sector and the media in the peace dialogue in order for them to acknowledge and assume their particular roles and responsibilities.

- Establish and strengthen mechanisms in public institutions and private organisations that guarantee transparency and accountability to the people they serve.

A report from the Forum is now sent to all participating organisations.