The QPN consultation took place at the tranquil and beautiful setting of the Resurrection Retreat Centre
in Karen on the western side of Nairobi, Kenya , East Africa in a cool week from August 9th to 16th 2009. The consultation attracted about 45 participants from many regions s of Africa and also international and national representatives from AFSC (American Friends Service Committee), Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW), African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) and Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) New York.
in Karen on the western side of Nairobi, Kenya , East Africa in a cool week from August 9th to 16th 2009. The consultation attracted about 45 participants from many regions s of Africa and also international and national representatives from AFSC (American Friends Service Committee), Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW), African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) and Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) New York. A brief history of and background to QPN was given to the participants. The consultation was focused on a three day training on Reflections of Peace Practice (RPP) to help participants have the tools to analyse and evaluate our Quaker peace programmes in our various regions. RPP sessions were both theoretical and practical and often we divided into our regional groupings and applied the tools we had learned to our own situations and programmes.
Key topics in the RPP training were how to analyse conflict and the introduction and use of a matrix as the central focus for planning, monitoring and evaluation of any peace programme. An eight approach guide to effectiveness was also explained. The three dynamic facilitators for RPP were Ian Brightside, Hezron Masitsa, Zawadi and Fred Kama Kama Tutu, who were clear and motivational.
Regional QPN reports were given from the four regions (East, West, Southern and the Great Lakes) by each regional coordinator which covered activities, plans and achievements. Also some individual countries were able to report on failures and developments in their own countries. Nominating and other committees were formed for current and future effectiveness of the consultation. Also an enriching part of the programme were the worship-sharing groups, the morning devotions and the special interest groups on QUNO, concepts of violence, and election monitoring in South Africa.
The climax of QPN was a public event held on Friday 14th August at the Friends International Centre, Ngong Road, Nairobi with attendance of invited guests, civil society (including Peace Net and Uzima Foundation), members of the public, AVP youth groups and QPN participants. The AVP Nairobi youth groups presented lively role plays to depict conflict resolution; QPN regional coordinators spoke of their situations and programmes; and two powerful speeches were given.
The first was by Professor Were, a medical doctor, who gave moving insights into Africa’s painful history and the suffering of the African child whilst the charismatic keynote speaker was Oscar Kisaka, the Deputy General Secretary of Kenya National Council of Churches (NCCK), whose emphases were on civil community involvement in peace making; the Quaker heritage of peace making; the post-conflict situation in Kenya and the reality of resurrection; and the need to build Shalom communities.
Varied exhibitions from the different regions of Africa were part of the public event with tables displaying Quaker peace materials, posters and crafts, all of which proved popular. In conclusion the QPN was a wonderful opportunity to connect with Quaker peace workers on the continent and share our activities and challenges. The programme for the week and general organisation of the consultation was excellent and all the participants gained new insights and friendships. We warmly thank the organisers and the facilitators.
The next QPN will be held in about 18 months’ time in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Long live the Quaker Peace Network!
