Education for Peace

MS Uganda has taken an active role in the reconstruction of the democracy and popular participation of Southern Sudan, one of the poorest areas in the world. In August 2005 MS Uganda launched the programme 'Education for Peace' in a cooperation between three partner organisations which for more than a decade have been supporting the education of Sudanese refugees in North Western Uganda and Southern Sudan. 'Education for Peace' aims at educating people on issues of the Peace Agreement, constitutionalism, democracy, human rights, population census and good governance through civic educators and paralegals.

By Pernille Bærendtsen

26. juli 2006

The peace agreement

When the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) on January 9, 2005 signed a peace agreement after 21 years of armed conflict and more than 10 years of negotiation, the people of Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda urged to engage in the new opportunities brought on by the peace.

However, it was also clear that a condition for sustainable peace in Sudan is determined on the fact that future disagreements can be solved peacefully and without the use of weapons. Considering the fact that Southern Sudan has been controlled by armed power for decades, 2 million people lost their lives, and 4 million people turned into refugees, this is a huge challenge.

The partners and areas of cooperation

MS Uganda's background for working in this context is based on support for several years to activities on both sides of the Sudanese and Ugandan border, where MS Uganda has worked with a group of NGOs which has promoted the Sudaneses refugees' rights to education and information. This has given basic experience with education and democracy in a transitional conflict area which has become the cornerstones in 'Education for Peace'.

MS Uganda and the partners Education Access Africa (EAA), Needs Service Education Agency (NSEA), and Sudan Human Rights Association (SHRA) are the implementing partners, and the programme is carried out in the following areas: Yei River, Maridi, Kajo Keji and Magwe counties in Southern Sudan, and the districts of Adjumani, Koboko, Moyo, Yumbe and Arua in Uganda.

The programme is supported by the 'Development Assistance needed for Refugee Hosting Areas in Uganda and the promotion of peace, repatriation and democratic development in Southern Sudan' (DAR). Until July 2008 MS Uganda will be contributing to making the peace agreement known to those refugees returning and to those who stayed inside the Sudan.

Changing attitudes

One of the aims of the programme is to enhance development of an understanding of the democratic values and principles which are fundamental to the reconstruction of Sudan. Since the main part of the Sudanese people, including the refugees in Northern Uganda, has little or no experience with living in a democratic society.

90 civic educators and 400 paralegals are responsible for disseminating information and dialogue on democracy, human rights and constitutionalism directed towards opinion makers and others who are contributing to change in the selected districts in Southern Sudan and the refugee settlements in Northern Uganda. The civic educators and the paralegals have been selected from the local community and together they represent the big variety of the different tribes and languages which is a necessity to reach the smaller communities where there is no or little knowlegde of English.

Traditionally the educational system in both Sudan and Uganda is built upon theory in favor of dialogue. 'Education for Peace' builds upon practical excersises, dialogue and participatory learning. Through raising a public debate 'Education for Peace' is hence part of securing that relevant and up-dated information is accessible. The activities are coordinated by MS Uganda, and implemented by her partners. The aim is to establish an office in Sudan when the security situation allows.