Background and origin of Quaker Peace Network West Africa
uaker Peace Network West Africa (QPNWA) is an offshoot of QPN Africa. The Africa Network was born out of a worldwide Quaker and American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) initiative for consultation around the question of the prevention of violent conflicts. After two early consultations in the United States and the United Kingdom, a third consultation was held on the African continent. This was in recognition of the importance of reflection by local people on violent conflicts in Africa, as well as the potential role of African Quaker agencies in conflict prevention.
At the end of 2001, Quakers in the United States and Europe came together, because of their joint concern regarding the need for conflict prevention. The gathering was dubbed The Quaker Prevention Network (QPN). This meeting was convened in London but was notably lacking an African representation. The second meeting took place in Washington, D.C. with 3 African participants. The third meeting was convened in Africa.
In August of 2002, the third meeting was held in Bujumbura, Rwanda. Quakers from all over the world were invited (including Sri Lanka, Colombia). In this meeting, however, there was a loud and unanimous cry for an all-Africa meeting. Hence, the first all-Africa meeting in Kibuye, Rwanda, in 2003. Following the success of the Kibuye meeting in 2004, another international meeting took place in Kakamega, Kenya. Another meeting in Gitega, Burundi, followed in October 2005.
The October 2005 Gitega meeting became a landmark because it was one of the first meetings with an all-Africa focus. It was realised that, especially with meagre resources, it was very difficult and expensive to move African participants from across the continent, such as a participant coming from Liberia to Burundi. It was not easy to get a direct flight from a West African country to East Africa: If the possibility ever existed, it was far too expensive. It was therefore decided that decentralizing the meeting into its already distinct regional divisions i.e. West, East, South and North Africa, would not only be cost-effective but provide the dimension the organization required in addressing specific regional issues. The regional meetings were held in West, East and Southern Africa in 2006. Following these meetings, the name was subsequently changed to Quaker Peace Network Africa (QPN Africa).
It is worth noting, however, that these were not intended to be open meetings, but were based on selecting people who were engaged in active Quaker work, because the rationale was to share ideas and help each other out.
Incorporation of QPN West Africa
Quaker Peace Network West Africa (QPNWA) is a charity, number 1135555 and a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in the UK on 28 April 2008, number 6577931. It was set up with charitable objectives, as shown above.
Philosophy and Policy
The main aim of QPNWA is to prevent conflicts, thereby preventing the need for peace building. The occurrence of conflict leaves a legacy of fear, hostility, and trauma both within and outside the affected country. This is so because a conflict in one country directly or indirectly affects the wellbeing of a neighbouring country. We have seen so many conflicts spill over to another country. By virtue of this parameter, QPNWA gives a regional dimension and outlook to peace-building and conflict management in West Africa. Therefore, QPNWA works with local partners to address the legacy of violence through activities such as support to local and regional peace processes, restorative justice programs, ethnic dialogue, inter-faith peace building, and grassroots reconciliation.
