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Leveraging Faith-based Universities for Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in East Africa
On 21 September 2023, representatives from faith-based universities in the region came together in a round table discussion under the theme ‘Harmony through Faith: Leveraging Religious Higher Learning Institutions for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution’.
The experts who gathered for the hybrid event, hosted at the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations, hailed from a number of institutions in East Africa and beyond. In addition to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, participants from South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo were also well-represented at the table.
Institutions present at the Round-table Discussion:
- University of Eastern Africa Baraton (Kenya)
- Technical University of Kenya
- UMMA University (Kenya)
- St. Paul’s University (Kenya)
- Hekima University College (Kenya)
- Tangaza University (Kenya)
- Adventist University of Central Africa (Rwanda)
- Uganda Christian University (Uganda)
- Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda)
- Durban University of Technology (South Africa)
- The Catholic University of Goma (DRC)
- Evangelical University (DRC)
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ngandeu Ngatta Hugue, Programme Specialist, Social and Human Sciences at the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, praised the role and contribution of faith-based universities in peacebuilding and conflict prevention through teaching. In educating learners about different religious beliefs, faith-based universities foster tolerance and understanding among different communities. He highlighted the theme set aside for this Year’s celebration: “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals,” which resonates with UNESCO’s mandate of building peace in the minds of people.
Mr. Ngandeu also delivered the message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, on the occasion of IDP 2023, which reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment “to safeguarding education, culture, science and information, for they are the seeds of lasting peace”. Her remarks reminded the audience about SDG 4: “the ensuring of universal education for all: education which fosters understanding between peoples, international cooperation, the promotion of human rights and protection of the planet.”
On her part, Executive Director of Peace Tree Network, Ms. Martha Okumu, highlighted the need for engaging more faith-based universities to achieve sustainable peacebuilding, especially in a world that is facing a myriad of challenges. She applauded their unique ability to instill in learners the positive values of peace, tolerance and understanding.
In their addresses, His Excellency the Ambassador of Serbia to Kenya, Dr. Dragan Zupanjevac, Mr. Divin Gikonge from St. Paul’s University Kenya, Ms. Hellen Kasoma from Uganda Christian University, Dr. Ali Adan Ali from Technical University of Kenya and UMMA University (Kenya) as well as Dr. Theogene Niyonzima from the Central African University, noted that religious academia had influenced the theory and practice of peace-building at fundamental levels. They further emphasized that governments, development partners and policymakers as well as universities ought to seek to better understand the important and unique role of faith and religion in shaping societies, particularly on issues of peace.
Today, faith-based actors are regularly engaged in efforts to resolve conflict. At their best, they have the moral capital, grassroots networks, functioning institutional frameworks and open-ended commitment to provide a local response to local problems.
Historical perspectives of strategies employed in resolving conflicts in East Africa were discussed. Participants concurred that no institution of higher learning better understood the philosophies, theories and practices of non-violence, conflict prevention, reconciliation and peacebuilding than religious academia. The experts further observed that faith-based approaches to conflict prevention place a strong emphasis on developing resilient relationships that can withstand conflict triggers, rather than tactical or technocratic measures that have proven to be ephemeral.
Advocacy for inter-religious dialogue, respect for rights and peace education into school curricula through education ministries, policy papers and legislations were also recommended. Faith-based institutions of higher learning from Christian and Muslim faiths were urged to strengthen their roles and efforts in research and knowledge production for facilitating innovative peace-building and to developing lasting conflict resolution mechanisms in Eastern Africans.
The roundtable discussion also brought attention to challenges in the field of peacebuilding, ranging from poor curriculum design, limited institutional support, funding, inter-faith collaboration, and engagement with stakeholders. At the same time, participants were hopeful about the many opportunities to leverage on the digital space to synergize efforts in creating a grassroots network that will amplify their advocacy for peaceful co-existence.
Peace is multifaceted and elusive. Issues ranging from religious extremism, distribution of natural resources, the war in Ukraine, food security, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions among others, threaten the aspirations for global peace.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the Education Sector Policy of the respective East African countries and to accelerate the government’s efforts in achieving the goals stated under the UN Agenda 2030 and the AU Vision 2063. They also recalled the key role of faith-based universities as spaces for social cohesion and training grounds for peace-builders, networking and research.
