System-Wide Activities
The International Conference on “Strategies for Peace with Development in Africa: The Role of Education, Training and Research” opened at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa on 12 June.
The 3-day Conference, co-organized by the Africa Regional Programme of UPEACE and the African Union was chaired by Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, Vice-Chair of the UPEACE Council. The Rector in her opening remarks said that this conference was a key step in building the much needed links between peace and development and that she hoped for a concrete agenda for action as an outcome. H.E. Dr. Sintayheu Woldemichale, Minister of Education of Ethiopia in his welcoming words said that “peace education must be incorporated in the curriculum as much as the subjects of reading and writing.” For this reason “UPEACE must receive the support of the entire African community”. H.E. Patrick Mazimhake, Deputy Chairman of the African Union welcomed participants to the headquarters of the AU and assured them that “the AU recognizes the programmes of UPEACE in general and within Africa in particular” and that UPEACE’s “paradigm shift of education, training and research into the causes of violence is important.”
The first day of the Conference was in plenary, with overview presentations from various major actors in peace and development education from universities and organizations in Africa, from Bradford and Cranfield Universities in the UK and by Professor Simon Stander describing the development of a curriculum for peace and development at UPEACE.
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Visiting professor
Peter Stoett
ESP-6150: Governance for Environmental Security
Peter J. Stoett is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Concordia University in Montréal. He obtained his PhD in Political Studies from Queen’s University in 1994. His main areas of expertise include international relations and law, human rights and environmental issues, and Canadian foreign policy. Recent books (authored, co-authored, and co-edited) include Bilateral Ecopolitics: Canadian-American Environmental Relations (Ashgate, 2006); International Ecopolitical Theory: Critical Reflections (UBC Press, 2006); Global Politics: Origins, Currents, Directions, Third Edition (ITP Nelson, 2005); Sustainable Development and Canada: National and International Perspectives (Broadview Press, 2001); Human and Global Security: An Exploration of Terms (University of Toronto Press, 2000); International Relations Theory and Ecological Thought: Towards a Synthesis (Routledge, 1999); and The International Politics of Whaling (UBC Press,1997). Professor Stoett has conducted research in Europe (including the Balkans), eastern, southern and western Africa, central America, and Asia. In March of 2003, he testified before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Parliament of Canada, Ottawa. Dr. Stoett taught at a variety of Canadian universities, including the University of Guelph, Waterloo, British Columbia, McMaster, and Simon Fraser, before joining Concordia in 1998. He is currently working on a forthcoming book, Global Biosecurity: The International Politics of Denial, Fear, and Injustice, to be published by Broadview Press, 2007.
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United Nations Secretary and FIFA President join forces for peace and development
In a joint message welcoming the opening of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter made an appeal for peace, tolerance and development. Their message is addressed to the whole world as it comes together in Munich to witness the start of the world's biggest sporting event. (View the declaration)
Last January, the FIFA President welcomed Kofi A. Annan to FIFA headquarters for a discussion centred around their shared objectives. The two men talked about how sport in general and football in particular can play a key role in development all around the world.
Football is a sport that transcends social, cultural and religious divides. Quite simply, football is universal, which is why this unique opportunity to join forces to make the world a better place must be taken.
As an example of how soccer unites countries and peoples, last Friday 9th June, UPEACE headquarters had a beautiful morning in which staff and students gathered together to watch the inaugural game of the World Cup 2006. Although Germany beat 4-2 Costa Rica, students and faculty had the chance to live intensely, and ended up with nice moments and new hope for the coming games!
Important Visit
Rector of EARTH University and others visit UPEACE
Dr. Jose Zaglul, Rector, Dr. Daniel Sherrard, Provost and Dr. Marlon Brevé, Dean for Academic Affairs at EARTH University visited UPEACE on Thursday 8 June. During their visit they held meetings with Rector Julia Marton-Lefèvre and faculty members Dr. Rolain Borel, Dr. Ronnie de Camino and Dr. Victor Valle. They also met with Ms. Mirian Vilela, Executive Director, Earth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development at UPEACE.
The major outcome of the meeting was an agreement to jointly carry out academic activities such as academic exchange, short courses, student exchange and the sponsorship of international events to discuss issues related to sustainable development and peacebuilding.
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Student life
Journey for Peace
By Dominic & Abby Stucker
Walking meditations through coffee
plantations,
Guanacaste groves and
rainy season woes,
pink impatiens and
sun salutations,
mot-mot, morpho,
toucan and vulture.
Undulating
road conversation,
white-faced monkey gyration:
canopy caravan in flight.
Round and rounder
we four meander
green feminists and the boys.
Buoyant and blessed, ¡Buenas!
from the young Nicaraguan family,
the couple on the blue scooter,
Amr and bikers and Bill.
Stepping lightly, fulfilled and
grateful
each morning walking
the road to UPEACE.
Abigail is a student in the Gender and Peace Building programme who enjoys soulful conversation over piping hot mugs of tea. She dances to the tune of turning the patriarchal world on its head. Abigail is writing her thesis on women's experiences of infertility, including a range of coping strategies and redefinitions of "fertility" and "motherhood." She grew up in the United States and is eager to continue exploring the world. Dominic is in the Environmental Security and Peace programme and strives, like Abigail, to live a simple and honest life. He enjoys hiking and rock climbing with his wife and friends, and is stimulated by foreign cultures and languages. Dominic's thesis is on the linkages between environmental scarcity, loss of livelihoods, and conflict in rural Tajikistan. He was born in Germany and grew up in the United States.
Abigail and Dominic met while they were living in rural Uzbekistan as Peace Corps Volunteers. They were married there in an Islamic ceremony and moved into their very own mud-brick home. As a result of frequent electricity outages and no running water, heating, or indoor facilities, they became an inseparable couple and even returned to Central Asia, this time to mountainous Kyrgyzstan. These experiences brought them to UPEACE, where they have met a host of intelligent and compassionate people. They are very pleased to announce that they are pregnant with twin boys, due in September. They are grateful to have been invited to live with Abigail's parents for a few months leading up to and following the twins' births. After this short time in Maine, United States, they plan to cast their net widely in search of work and further adventures."
Operation Leaving and Giving
By Lisa Reyna & Hilja Tuori
Realizing that this life-changing experience called UPEACE was about to end, the two of us decided that it was necessary to give back to the community of Costa Rica. What better way to do this than by giving to those who need the most! This is where the idea of “Operation Leaving and Giving” came about. We are excited to say "Operation Leaving and Giving" is underway and now all of us are getting the opportunity to give back to the community and use what we have learned all year regarding compassion, service, and generosity into practice. We are currently seeking donations from all of those interested in donating items such as clothing and accessories, school supplies, bathroom and bedroom articles, and other items to places such as the HIV/AIDS Center, an Orphanage, a Battered Women's Shelter, and various other centers that would be very grateful for such donations. Many students have already donated items, and we are happy to say that the boxes in the hallway are filling-up just as the hearts of those who you will be donating to will as they receive your unconditional giving. We thank all of those who have assisted us with this matter and the support you have provided. We are confident this will be an initiative that will become a part of UPEACE from this point on. Thank you Hassan, Jennie, Pablo, Adriana, and the many others that believe in this mission.
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Sofia Marie is now with us!
Sofia Marie, daughter of Maria del Pilar Flores, current student of ILHR programme, came into the world last June 8th at the Clinica Biblica in San Jose.
Both the baby and the mother are in excellent conditions. Sofia's weight at birth was 2.960 grams (7.930 pounds) and 48 centimeters (18.89 inches) height.
Quoting Dr. Valle: “Congratulations to Pilar and Sofia. Again, the miracle of life overcomes. Let us rejoice!”