Continue reading »]]> CALL FOR NOMINATIONS  FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY AWARDS

In 2013, New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation will present the “Leadership Integrity Awards” to selected individuals and organizations in Nigeria and around the world, whose leadership and work have made significant impacts in their particular communities, state or the nation. This work may confront societal or civic issues, address health or environmental concerns, or promote arts and humanities. The Award honours and celebrates people and organizations that are rolling up their sleeves, taking initiative, and solving problems in their neighbourhoods and communities.

Launched in 2010, the Leadership Integrity Awards have honoured remarkable individuals and organisations globally. Previous recipients of our Leadership Integrity Awards in 2011 and 2012 were the following Distinguished Individuals and Organizations:

In October 2011

1. His Excellency Amb. Mussie Hailu, Ph.D, URI Africa Regional Director and Special Representative at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Africa Union (AU), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2. Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, International Coordinator, Global Educators for All Initiative, Abuja, Nigeria
3. The Voice of Angels Foundation, California, USA

In October 2012

1. Youngstars Foundation, Abuja
2. Search for Common Ground-Nigeria
3. Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development

Our Leadership Integrity Awards showcase individual or organizational excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others. The Award publicly affirms present achievements, seeks to encourage further work on the part of the recipients, and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to their communities and nation. The Awards will be presented during the Opening Ceremonies of the 5th Annual International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue, from 25th to 27th October, 2013.

Nominations close on August 15, 2013 by 6:00pm. Self nominations will NOT be accepted. Winners will be announced by September 30, 2013, while the Awards shall be presented on Thursday, October 25, 2013.  Click on the following link to download the 2013 Leadership Integrity Awards

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The International Peace and Development Training Center is accepting applications from expert / senior professionals, policy makers, diplomats, government officials and leadership, and field-based practitioners for its upcoming Advanced Professional Training Programme for UN agencies, governments and national and international organisations.

IPDTC’s programmes have been ranked by participants and their agencies as amongst the most professional, intensive and high quality in their field. They provide participants with the opportunity to train together with an exceptional group of experts and practitioners from around the world, coming from governments, community-based, national and international organisations, military and security forces, donors, and others.

The programmes are thorough, rigorous and dynamic, drawing upon key lessons in the field and training participants in practical skills, knowledge and capabilities to directly improve their and their organisations capacities for peacebuilding, prevention and post-war peace consolidation and recovery.

We would like to ask you to share the announcement for these programmes broadly through your networks, web-sites and mailing lists. Please note: agencies which send multiple participants may receive a significant discount in fees, while participants taking part in both programmes receive a substantial course fee reduction.

VISIT www.patrir.ro/training FOR FULL OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME

Systemic Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation and Post-War Recovery and Reconciliation (PCTR)
10th-14th of June, 2013
Cluj Napoca, Romania
www.patrir.ro/training

The PCTR has been acclaimed by policy makers and practitioners from the United Nations, national and international organizations and governments as one of the best programs of its kind. For reviews of past participants please visit www.patrir.ro/training and click on Testimonials, or write totraining@patrir.ro and we’ll be happy to send them to you.

Bringing together experienced practitioners and policy makers from governments, the United Nations, regional organizations (EU, AU, OAS, ASEAN), and national and international organisations and agencies, the PCTR provides a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and practical learning together with those working in conflict situations world-wide. The PCTR is unique in addressing all three phases of violence and war – before, during and after – based on rigorous professional training and practical operational experiences.

The PCTR is a five-day intensive program which provides experts, practitioners and policy makers with a forum for reflection and targeted, relevant professional development in a dynamic and stimulating environment.

Given the issues it addresses applicants are invited from those working in political, gender, security, human rights, development, and humanitarian fields, donors, and diplomats, and peacebuilding and peacekeeping organisations and agencies working in areas affected or threatened by war and armed conflict or in post-war situations.

For detailed information and outline of the programme please see the document attached orvisithttp://www.patrir.ro/en/international-training-programmes or write to training@patrir.ro.

WHO MAY APPLY 
The programme will be held at the Global Academy of IPDTC and is intended for senior to executive level experts and practitioners working in peacebuilding, crisis prevention and management and post-war recovery and stabilization operations from governments, UN agencies and inter-governmental organisations (EU, OAS, AU, ASEAN, Commonwealth, OSCE) and national and international organisations.

SPECIAL RATES & DISCOUNTS: MULTIPLE PARTICIPANTS 
To enable organisations, agencies and practitioners in the field to benefit from this programme IPDTC has developed a fee scheme advantageous to all individuals and organisations interested in attending, including attractive discount rates for early payments and group participation. Please feel free to contact us for more information on the fee scheme, which is also available by accessing the training outlines on our website.

VISIT www.patrir.ro/training or write to training@patrir.ro FOR THE FULL OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME

REQUEST TO SHARE THROUGH YOUR NETWORKS & WITH PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

If you know organizations, agencies, ministries or individuals which you believe may benefit from these programmes, please share this announcement further with them or send them directly to IPDTC’s web-site at www.patrir.ro/training.

REQUESTING IPDTC PROGRAMMES FOR YOUR AGENCY / COUNTRY / REGION

More than 90% of IPDTC programmes are provided globally upon request. With an international pool of leading experts and practitioners covering a wide range of services and customized programmes to meet the exact needs, context and goals of requesting missions and agencies.

We kindly invite you to access the full outlines of our programmes on www.patrir.ro/training.

In case of any questions or further information do not hesitate to contact IPDTC at training@patrir.ro.

For references on our training programmes, please access the Review and Feedback section of our site.

IPDTC Team – Committed to Improving the Professional Quality, Effectiveness and Capability of those working in peacebuilding, prevention, post-war recovery and peace support operations

Continue reading »]]> New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation (NEEDCSI)  is pleased to announce the following exciting Internship and Volunteer Opportunities:

Undergraduate & Graduate Students interested in the fields of Conflict Resolution, Conflict Transformation, Peacebuilding, Political Science, Governance, Trauma Awareness and Resilience and Organisational Leadership.

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate internships throughout the year. If you are interested in an internship with NEEDCSI, please forward your resume and cover letter to the appropriate staff member listed below.

Technical Assistance Intern:

The Technical Assistance Intern will work closely with the program’s Director, as NEEDCSI seeks to continually build the program. Interns should be comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment, responding to unexpected challenges and taking initiative to creatively support all aspects of programmatic growth, including communications, marketing, curriculum development, proposal & grant writing and more.

Specific duties will include:

Market research; drafting and updating communications materials, including brochures and flyers; drafting and updating training materials, including toolkits, handbooks and presentations; assisting the Program Director with proposal writing and reporting; supporting the continued development of NEEDCSI’s knowledge base on topics including peacebuilding, conflict transformation, civil society, interfaith dialoguing, development goals, Administrative duties, Other duties as required. Interns should expect to work at least 20 hours per week in at our Head office in Rayfield, Jos, Nigeria.  This internship is unpaid, though most schools will give credit for internships.

Candidates should be at least undergraduate juniors, and students from any background are welcome to apply. Graduate students may apply as well, and will receive assignments commensurate with their experience and interests. Successful applicants will have strong writing skills, an interest in and commitment to NEEDCSI mission, experience in entrepreneurial environments and a demonstrated

To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter to: programs@needcsi.org

VOLUNTEERS:

National:  Social Media Network, newsletter, events, assisting in developing peace education manuals or curriculum utilizing local terms, help with grant research.

International or Home Based Volunteers

Communications and Development Internship: 

The Communications and Development Interns will work in partnership with the Executive Director & the Director of Development on a wide variety of projects including:

• grant writing
• grant research
• donor communication
• writing and disseminating press releases and other marketing materials
• assisting in the management of NEEDCSI social media presence
• online outreach
• grassroots fundraising

Interns should be comfortable working in a flexible environment and responding quickly to new projects or unexpected tasks. Flexibility, individual initiative and a commitment to NEEDCSI causes are a must. Applicants should be at least undergraduate juniors or seniors, and students from any discipline are welcome to apply. Scheduling is flexible, but candidates should be prepared to spend at least 20 hours at NEEDCSI in Rayfield, Jos Plateau State Nigeria.

The position is unpaid. To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter to: programs@needcsi.org

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New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation is pleased to announce its new partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), UNESCO and a wide coalition of partners from corporations to civil society in launching the world campaign “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, aimed at engaging people around the world to Do One Thing to support Cultural Diversity and Inclusion. Following the adoption in 2001 of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity the UN General Assembly declared May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

As part part of its Partnership responsibilities, New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation will, among several other activities:

• Host a Conference on “Diversity and Inclusion” on Tuesday, May 21 to mark the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development at CRUDAN Guest House, Jos, Nigeria.
• Host a week-long “Training and Community Mobilization Program” for
  Secondary School Students in Plateau State, in collaboration with Mindfulness Without Borders. This event will hold on Friday, May 17 -20, 2013 at CMIA, Jos, Nigeria. During the Awareness and Community Mobilization Event, handbills, flyers, banners and other printed Information Education and Communication Materials will be distributed.
• Spread the word about the campaign among its networks and members;
• Have the banner of the campaign posted on its website; reciprocally, its logo will be posted on the UNAOC website, brochures and communication material of the campaign;
• Invite individuals to take a concrete action to support diversity and inclusion;

• To raise awareness worldwide about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion.
• To build a world community of individuals committed to support diversity with real and every day-life gestures.
• To combat polarization and stereotypes to improve understanding and cooperation among people from different cultures.

Join the worldwide campaign, “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, like the Facebook page and encourage your neighbors, your family, your friends and your co-workers to Do One Thing to support Diversity and Inclusion on the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21. Every one of us can do ONE thing for diversity and inclusion; even one very little thing can become a global action if we all take part in it.  Contact Marta López: martaL@unops.org or Emmanuel: eivorgba@needcsi.org

This year, we invite you, our dear partners and friends, to support the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity

Continue reading »]]> New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation, today welcomes its new Director of Development, Ema Miroslava Billings. Ema is passionately dedicated to peace and psychosocial trauma and well being theory and practice and has great analytical and strategic thinking skills. Ema demonstrates even greater awareness and deep care for people in conflict situations. She is bright, intelligent, energetic, inquisitive and always eager to learn. She is a reflective practitioner with great relational finesse. While naturally gravitating towards leadership roles, she also functions very well in teams. She is an initiator; innovator, a confident public speaker, group facilitator/trainer and group mobilizer with solid writing skills and a passionate activist with exceptional networking skills that have international reach.

She previously volunteered with Peaceplayers International in the Middle East and various Palestinian day camps working with youth, in the USA, at a juvenile detention center, working with undocumented and unaccompanied youth immigrants, involved in gangs, rescued from child soldiering and the sex and drug trade. She has fostered sensitive relationships and built strong bonds of trust with highly traumatized and marginalized youth. Among several others, Ema has served on the Board of the Gandhi International Institute for Peace, as a Human Rights Activist and Community Organizer working on immigration initiatives for undocumented immigrants with Virginia Organizing.

Ema is now completing her Masters Degree in Conflict Transformation with a focus on Psychosocial Trauma Healing at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) at the Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), Harrisonburg, VA USA. Ema also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Cultural Studies/Communications at Brigham Young University, Hawaii. She also holds a Professional Intercultural Peacebuilding Certificate.

Ema can be contacted by email at: emabillings@needcsi.org

]]> http://www.needcsi.org/2013/02/needcsi-welcomes-new-executive-director/feed/ 4 http://www.needcsi.org/2013/01/2013-youth-leadership-institute/ http://www.needcsi.org/2013/01/2013-youth-leadership-institute/#comments Sun, 06 Jan 2013 15:36:05 +0000 Emmanuel http://www.needcsi.org/?p=942

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New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation, in partnership with
United Religions Initiative-WEST AFRICA, and Project Happiness, is pleased to announce 20 full scholarships for young people in Nigerian Universities and other tertiary institutions to participate in its 2013  Annual Youth Leadership Institute. The training will focus on the theme: “The Role of Young People in Nation Building”. Scholarships cover feeding, accommodation and training materials ONLY.

The program seeks to catalyze the emergence of a new generation of youth leaders who will participate effectively in forging a strong democratic, people-centred development and sustainable economic emancipation in Nigeria. The program seeks to foster, develop and support youth initiative, and a strong representational youth voice in the service and decision making process of our nation, and to engage youth as resources for peace, good governance, interfaith dialogue, towards the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The training will empower participants by supporting and facilitating the creation of youth-generated activities that promote self-worth, responsibility, intergenerational respect and communication.

Receipt of applications for the training has opened and will close on Tuesday, March 7, 2013. Applications are currently being received. ONLY Successful applicants will be contacted by email and phone call by Friday, Friday, March 15, 2013. The 2013 Youth Leadership Institute will be conducted in Jos, Nigeria, from Friday 29th to Saturday 30th March, 2013. Certificates of Participation will be presented to participants at the end of the training.

Click below to download the 2013 Youth Leadership Institute Application Form

1. First, Participants gain an understanding of the major leadership theories. For each model, the Participants learn the theoretical basis of the model, the strengths and weaknesses, and how to apply the model to practical situations in business and other settings.
2. Second, Participants explore their personal leadership style through a series of assignments and project activities. These project activities enable participants to reflect on how they view leadership as both subordinates and as leaders. By participating in the Youth Leadership Institute, participants develop a well-rounded understanding of leadership concepts for use in their own leadership opportunities.

Ema Miroslava Billings,                                                            

Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, PhD

Mr. Godwin Okoko

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THE ORGANIZATION

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation is a unique Organization on a mission to build, support and empower teams of youth with capacities to emerge from a life on the streets, drugs and dysfunctional families, to becoming leaders capable of helping themselves and their communities. We are leading a movement that connects youth, educators and communities and empowers them to transform themselves from recipients of information and resources into valuable, contributing members of their communities. We are a Jos-Nigeria based International non-religious, non-political, non-ethnic, non-profit, humanitarian and educational support organization committed to promoting the resurgence of human values in all aspects of life across the globe.

Our values include: (1) a sense of belonging to a common humanity, (2) respect and consideration for all people, (3) compassion and non-violence, (4) a commitment to preserving the natural environment, and (5) a social service ethic.

We are committed to offering inclusive and holistic paradigms of education that prioritize experiential learning, cross- cultural dialogue, and a global ethic of peace and social justice.  The Organization actively addresses and works on the issues of education, peace and conflict mediation, health, youth capacity building and leadership development in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa, particularly through our partners in Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Togo, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Please, visit the link below to watch our 2012 Award Winning Documentary Film, DIALOGUE IN NIGERIA: MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS CREATING THEIR FUTURE, funded and produced by the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group, USA.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Annual International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue has been held annually since 2009, in the City of Jos, the Plateau State Capital and Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism”. The Inaugural International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue was held in October 2009 at the National Library of Nigeria, beside the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos, with over 250 participants. This was then followed by the 2^nd Annual International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue in October 2010 at the Leadership Institute, Tudun Wada GRA, Jos, with tremendous support and facilitation from the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group. The 3rd Annual International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue was held in October 2011 at the Rockfield Motel, Rayfield, Jos, in collaboration with the California USA-based The Voices of Angels Foundation, United Religions Initiative, Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative (IPI) and Global Educators for All Initiative. At the 3rd Annual Conference, the 120 participants made a very passionate Appeal to End Religiously-motivated Violence in Nigeria. The 2nd Annual International Conference resulted in the Award Winning Documentary Film, DIALOGUE IN NIGERIA: MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS CREATING THEIR FUTURE

Youth — with international adult mentors — successfully engage face to face applying new tools of communication and creativity to then take back home to their schools, communities, and nations. Challenging, practical workshops provide the “how-to” for citizens to create and sustain our collective social existence beginning with youth and faith that works in real life.

Experiences in youth form the adult human being. Young adults are a major force in the contemporary world. Today’s youth make new intellectual contributions and excel in mobilizing social networks and cooperation. A new breed of young adults insists on engaging, refusing to be enemies. Today’s youth need and deserve appreciation and positive engagement, to help release their unprecedented social growth, creativity, and leadership that includes everyone, excludes nobody.

CONFERENCE THEME:

The theme of the 4^th International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue was “Harnessing the Creative and Innovative Capacities of Youth and Women for Peacebuilding”. As in previous years, the 4^th International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue engaged participants in a dynamic experience of faith development as well as challenged them to positively respond to the universal call to holiness. The conference created and promoted interfaith collaboration as well as built bridges of trust, friendship and partnership among religiously diverse youth and provided a platform for local, national, regional and international collaboration. The various sessions were very practical – rich with inspiration, international experience, and how-to, face-to-face workshops. Conference Participants practiced a new quality of listening-to-learn, to heal and create a new life among diverse groups in Nigeria, Africa and elsewhere. Above all, we all discovered that “an enemy is one whose story we have not heard.” At the end, the participants returned home stronger with new partners and modern tools of communication for their homes, schools, and neighborhoods — to heal their cities, Nigeria, Africa, all humankind.

 PARTICIPATION AND CONTENT

The 4^th International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue was attended by 156 participants, representing Government Ministries and Agencies, Civil Society Groups, NGOs, Faith-based Organizations within Nigeria and around the world. In the evening of 24^th October, 2012, Participants arrived the Rockfield Motel, Rayfield, Jos and the RURCON Guest House, located along the Old Airport Road, beside Nigeria Airforce Base, Jos, respectively, where accommodation was reserved for them. Dinner was served from 7pm after which participants took time to rest after several hours of travelling.

The Conference started formally on 25^th October, 2012 at about 9am, at the Conference Hall of the Rockfield Motel, Rayfield, Jos, Nigeria. After the welcome address by the Conference Coordinator and Executive Director of New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation, Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, PhD, the Conference was officially declared open by the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Barrister Olivia Dazyam. The Keynote Address was delivered by Hon. Elisha Buba Yero, URI Global Council Trustee and Board Member, Interfaith Mediation Center, Kaduna, Nigeria, Retired Permanent Secretary and former Special Adviser to the Kaduna State Governor on Religious Affairs. Goodwill messages and remarks were also presented Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, International Coordinator, Global Educators for All Initiative (GEFAI), Abuja, Hajia Lantana B. Abdullahi, Programs Officer, Search for Commons Grounds and Mr. Salika Dasa Adhikari, Temple President, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Jos, Nigeria. Other dignitaries and facilitators included Chief Thomas H. Gofwen, Special Adviser to the Plateau State Government on NGOs/CSOs, Barrister Timothy B. Parlong, Special Adviser on Peacebuilding, Monica H. Gwom from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Elder Dodo Chrisantus, Director in the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs, Amb. Chris Matur Ngyang from the State Ministry of Finance, Mr. Maji Peterx, Anchor Person, Carefronting-Nigeria, Africa Regional Coordinator and Lead Facilitator, Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), Rev. Father James Vonti, Director of Religious Education, Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, Bartholomew Shepkong, M.A, Research and Outreach, Council For a Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago-USA, Hannington Wako, Coordinator, United Religions Initiative Africa Youth Network, from the URI Great Lakes Regions Office in Kampala, Uganda, Mr. Godwin Okoko, Country Representative, APURIMAC ONLUS-Nigeria and President, Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN), Mallam Dauda Saleh, Coordinator, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Jos South & Islamic Teacher, Creative Minds International Academy, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and Gad Shamaki Peter, Executive Director of the Centre for Advocacy on Justice and Rights, Mr. Ben Obge represented Youngstars Foundation, Abuja, among several others.

A total of five Paper presentations were made at the conference, generating much discussions and contributions from participants. The Papers presented included:

1. Christian Religious Education for a Culture of Peace by Rev. Father James Vonti, Director of Religious Education, Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria
2. Islamic Perspective on Peacebuilding in Nigeria by Mallam Dauda Saleh, Coordinator, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Jos South & Islamic Teacher, Creative Minds International Academy, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
3. “The Role of Nigerian Youth in Peacebuilding”, by Bartholomew Shepkong, M.A, Research and Outreach, Council For a Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago-USA
4. “Reflections on Peace Efforts by Youths in East Africa” by Hannington Wako, Coordinator, URI Africa Youth Network, URI Great Lakes Region, Kampala, Uganda.
5. Introduction to The Moral Imagination, by Emmanuel Ivorgba, Ph.D, Executive Director, New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation
6. The Role of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in Peacebuilding, by Dr. Cliff Missen, Director of the Widernet Digital Library Project at the University of Iowa, USA.

While Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko chaired the Plenary Session, the Global Listening Campaign (GLC) was facilitated by Bartholomew Shepkong, M.A, Research and Outreach, Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago-USA and Maji Peterx, Anchor Person, Carefronting-Nigeria, Africa Regional Coordinator and Lead Facilitator, Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), during which Conference participants broke into several Focus Groups of ten (10) participants each.

Three (3) Organizations were recognized and honoured with the Exclusive Leadership Integrity Award for their outstanding commitments and efforts in peacebuilding in Nigeria, and around the world. These Organizations included:

1. Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in appreciation and acknowledgement of the Ministry’s outstanding efforts in peacebuilding in Plateau State, women capacity building and empowerment, mediation and dialogue facilitation, healing and reconciliation. The Commissioner, Hon. Olivia Dazem received the Award in Person, on behalf of her Ministry.
2. Search for Common Grounds, in appreciation and acknowledgement of the Organization’s outstanding efforts in global peacebuilding, good governance and work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies’ capacity to deal with conflicts constructively: to understand the differences and act on the commonalities. Hajia Lantana B. Abdullahi, Programs Officer, received the Award on behalf of her Organization.
3. Youngstars Foundation-Abuja, Nigeria, in appreciation and acknowledgement of the Organization’s outstanding efforts in peacebuilding, democracy and good governance, leadership development and Youth Entrepreneurship.

DISCUSSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

Conference Participants expressed profound optimism, hope and faith in current peacebuilding efforts and the commitment to building a better future. Discussions centered on developing the human potential to respond to the challenges emerging from misunderstandings in religions, regions and the world’s resources, and on seeking ways to reconciling our relationship with our Common Creator, with fellow human beings and with the resources in our environment. As one Participant put it, “Our differences should not be mistaken to be inequality which makes some feel more valuable than others. Let us grow beyond a focus on our religions as points of identity and our regions as places of origins and the resources as our own wealth only”.

The important role of youth and women as indispensable primary actors in grassroots community development, peacebuilding and social transformation was emphasized. As the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development noted at the conference, “Women are amongst the most vulnerable victims in war and conflict situations, yet they are also often the ones that trigger peace mechanisms. Hence, mobilization of women to participate in peace process is central to realizing peaceful co-existence. Once a woman is empowered, she is properly positioned to support her children to grow up into great contributors to development and will not be easy tools in the hands of mischief makers”. Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, mentioned rather comically that it was women who took peace out of the Garden of Eden, and so women must be empowered and supported to return peace to Eden and on Earth. The conference considered the great efforts of women participation and contribution to peacebuilding, such as Khadija, Aisha, Hannah and Esther, from Islamic and Christian records, while the Late Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Gambo Sawaba, and the actions of Liberian women who came together to end the civil war and find peace in their country, were some of the contemporary examples cited.

The Conference also considered the significant role of religious education in building and promoting a culture of peace. Religious education’s goal, according to Rev. Fr. James Vontih, Director of Religious Education of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, focuses on the “formation of the whole person, so that all may attain eternal salvation and at the same time promote the common good of the society”. The conference then made practical suggestions and recommendations for fostering peace.

The conference increased awareness and understanding of the nature, causes and impact of violence on families and communities, particularly those with ethnic or religious diversity, as well as provided knowledge and understanding of successful prevention strategies. Conference participants were engaged in developing implementable communications and public outreach strategy to promote peacebuilding, including a common action plan on the role of women, youth and educators in peacebuilding, including the process of building and accumulating capacities and empowerment to develop individuals and communities so that they are converted from perpetrators of violence to peacemakers and peacebuilders. As one Conference participant emphasized, “our world today, more than ever before is faced with the challenge of overcoming the faith divide and the global citizenship divide in order to build the bridge of all bridges; the interreligious and international bridge that connects all humanity to God”. The conference inspired, supported and encouraged participants to accept and embrace the “Other” as potential co-creators of our collective future, as well as provided opportunities for networking and collaboration as we deliberately seek to serve and promote systemic change for the common good, including the provision of a model for interfaith cooperation and the breaking down of barriers, as we work together for right human relationships, justice, and an end to religiously-motivated violence, and care for the earth that we have all inherited.

Participants at the Conference express their commitment to embracing our common humanity, respecting our differences and transforming the world we have inherited. Together, Conference participants visited religious sites in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, to draw from the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of humanity to become “Interfaith Ambassadors for Peace”. The Conference explored religion as a source of conflict and as a resource for peace, focusing on how each of the faith traditions promote inclusion, peace, tolerance, or exclusion, prejudice or violence against others. Participants made a commitment to establishing a network of peace builders, and of keeping in touch, understanding and accepting others, sharing knowledge, building relationships with neighbors, peers and promoting friendship with others. This way, participants agreed will eliminate the predictable backbiting, gossip, mistrust and bigotry that flourish when interfaith dialogue is absent.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The women and men at the conference provided recommendations to decision-makers, institutions and individuals for dignifying everyone and our shared values. In a safe space, the Conference created a living model for prosperity, coexistence beyond war, and restoring friendships and trust. Key conference recommendations included:

1. That Religious Organizations (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Shrines, etc) and policy makers must accept the responsibility of shaping the future and therefore work on a functional education that would enhance the people’s commitment to peace and non-violence, education for critical social analysis and justice, education for reconciliation and social integration, entrepreneurship, self-reliance, wholesome spiritual, moral and material existence.
2. That the society must return to true religion and spirituality, which transcends affiliation with one religion or another, but the positive transformation of the heart, transformation of greed into generosity, arrogance into humility, envy into appreciation of others, transforming hate into love, darkness into light, anxiety and stress into deep fulfilment, etc, being an instrument of the Inner Grace and the development of the universal human character of compassion, kindness and empathy.
3. Policy makers must be encouraged and supported to create and provide a legal framework for the inclusion of Ethics and Morality, Religion and Peace Studies at all levels of the School curriculum, beginning at the Primary School level.
4. Deliberate investment must be made towards the intellectual and character formation of the world’s Youth, including the establishment of an Interreligious or Interfaith Youth Service Program, to encourage peace through service projects and education among youths of different faith traditions. This will help participants to socialize across boundaries of culture and faith and to experience volunteerism from a faith-based community of youths, educators and experts.
5. That Inter-religious, interfaith and inter-cultural marriages should be encouraged and supported, as a way of seeking to close the ever widening religio-political and cultural divide threatening the nations of the world. This will also help build up and encourage youths and families to live a life of strong moral value, recognizing that the peace of our communities, our nation and the world begins with the peace of the individual.
6. That each participant, where possible, return to the October 2013 Conference with detailed reports of what they have done as a result of their participation in this year’s conference.  This will help us to measure in concrete terms, the level of progress made in our collective peacebuilding efforts.

IMPORTANT NEXT STEP ACTIONS

In the next six (6) months, New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation shall conduct an evaluation activity by sending out questionnaires to all those who participated in the 4^th International Conference on Youth and Interfaith Dialogue to assess how knowledge and skills learnt have been deployed and how this has impacted and transformed our communities. New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation shall also create an interactive website where participants can log on to share ideas, lessons, challenges and successes.

APPRECIATION

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation greatly appreciates the generous financial and technical support of the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of San Mateo, California, USA, which made it possible for us to conduct this year’s conference. We remain ever grateful to Len and Libby Traubman for their faith, confidence and trust in us and our very modest efforts.

We are also deeply grateful to the Plateau State Government, fully represented by the Hon.  Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, along with Special Advisers to the Governor on NGOs/CSOs and that of Peacebuilding, United Religions Initiative (URI)-Africa Region, represented by Hon. Elisha Buba Yero, Global Council Trustee, Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko of the Global Educators for All Initiative, Abuja,
Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, USA, represented by Bartholomew Shepkong, Maji Peterx, Africa Regional Coordinator of the Alternative to Violence Projects, Rev. Fr. James Vontih, Director of Religious Education of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria. Hajia Lantana Abdullahi of the Search for Common Grounds, Salika Dasa, President of the ISKCON Temple, Jos, Nigeria, Hannington Wako, Coordinator of URI Africa Youth Network from Kampala, Uganda, Dr. Cliff Missen, Director of the Widernet Digital Library Project at the University of Iowa, USA, the Media, especially those from the Plateau Radio and Television Corporation (PRTVC), the Leadership Newspapers and Radio FM, Kano, and everyone who participated directly or  indirectly at the conference. We sincerely appreciate the partnership and support of Mr. Godwin Okoko, Country Representative of APURIMAC Onlus-Nigeria, and Gad Peter Shamaki of the Center for Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR) and members of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) and the Civil Society Coalition towards the success of this conference. Special thanks also to Deborah Dooshima Ajai, Executive Director of the Abuja-based El-Bethel Global Initiatives, for meeting our International Participants at the Abuja Airport, taking good care of them in Abuja and leading them to Jos safely. Finally, thank you to the Guest House attendants who took good care of the participants and also provided good food for our nourishment. 

A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF PARTICIPANTS AT THE CONFERENCE

Continue reading »]]> URI AFRICA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE IN NAIROBI, KENYA AND THE 2012 AFRICA PEACE AWARD PRESENTED

URI Africa organised and hosted the 2012 UN International Day of Peace, in partnership with the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), African Council of Religious Leaders, Eastern Africa Standby Force, Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (URI CC from Ethiopia) and the Village Market, on September 21, 2012. The theme of the event was “Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Future”.

The program started at about 9:00am at the Main Auditorium of the VillageMarket in Nairobi, Kenya, with Interfaith  Peace Prayers from various religious and faith leaders. The MC of the event was Mrs. Rattan Channa. Formal welcome address was delivered by Amb. Mussie Hailu, URI Africa Regional Director and Representative of URI at the Africa Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). In his welcoming remarks  Amb. Mussie announce the registration of URI Africa in Kenya and on the current wave of extremist violence and protests he said “United Religions Initiative Africa joins the UN Secretary General and many world leaders in condemning strongly recent acts that seek to incite hatred against the values and beliefs of other people. We also join the Director General of UNESCO in her calls for the full respect of all cultures and religions in the context of the current wave of extremist violence and protests.  As the Director General of UNESCO said ‘Such acts undermine all efforts to build bridges of solidarity, respect and understanding between cultures and among people” He further said that to solve such a problem the practical action is to promote throughout the world the teaching of the Golden Rule and this is part of the reason why URI Africa and IPI are working on a daily base to promote the message of the Golden Rule and to get the Golden Rule Day proclaimed by the United Nations and its members countries.

The peace message of the Rev. Canon Charles Gibbs, Executive Director of URI also read. In his message Rev Gibbs  said “In a world where hatred, division and violence spread with the speed and vengeance of a wild fire, you, people of diverse faiths, stand firmly as a barrier to turn that fire aside. You replace its destructiveness with creative, committed, cooperative engagement on issues like ending violence, eliminating poverty, providing education and health care, and healing the environment – that can ensure the well-being of Africa’s people and make Africa a model for the world. May this gathering sow seeds that will bear the fruits of peace in the months and years to come”.

The Event witnessed the special appearance and presence of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), H.E. Amb. Sahle-Work Zewde. His Worship the Mayor of Nairobi was ably represented by a former Mayor of Nairobi, Dr. Joe Akech, who also doubles as Secretary General of Former Mayors International. Peace Messages were also presented by other distinguished personalities, which included Dr. Mustafa Ali, Secretary General of the African Council of Religious Leaders and Major General Cyrille Ndayirukiye (Rtd), Director of the East Africa Standby Force. There was also peace message from children. A Special Peace Song titled “Kenya is our Country” was presented by a young, dynamic upcoming Kenya-based artist named Bonfire. His Song inspired and almost forced out tears from participants.

On the occasion special prayers were offered for peaceful elections in Kenya, for peace and stability in Somalia, the Congo Democratic Republic, Mali, Nigeria and other nations experiencing violent conflicts and political unrest around the world. An important highlight of the day was the presentation of the URI Africa and IPI 2012 Africa Peace Award of the Year, to three distinguished Peace-building organizations-

The recipients of the 2012 Africa Peace Award of the year were:

1)      Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa in appreciation and acknowledgment of the outstanding work since its establishment in 1984 in peace-building effort, conflict transformation initiatives, mediation and dialogue facilitation, training and capacity building, healing and reconciliation initiatives in the Horn, East, Central and West Africa and ground breaking research on transitional justice

2)      West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in appreciation and acknowledgment of the outstanding effort since its establishment in 1998 on collaborative approaches to conflict prevention, and peace-building by working with diverse actors from civil society, governments, intergovernmental bodies, women groups and other partners in a bid to establish a platform for dialogue, experience sharing and learning to ensuring sustainable peace and development in West Africa and beyond .

3)      Mayors for Peace in appreciation and acknowledgment of the outstanding effort in raising  international public awareness regarding the need to abolish nuclear weapons and contributes to the realization of genuine and lasting world peace and promoting peaceful co-existence

The URI Africa Leadership Team Members  present the Awards to the recipients. Mr. Hamed Ehsani, former URI Global Council Trustee and Managing Director of the Village Market delivered the Vote of Thanks. This was followed by light refreshments, after which participants then moved to the United Nations Office in Nairobi for the second part of the commemoration.

Guest and participants arrived the UNON and took their seats at about 11:20 am. The URI Africa delegation was specially recognised and applauded by Guests and participants. The welcome address was presented by Nasser Ega-Musa, Director of the United Nations Information Center (UNIC). A Special song titled “Pambazuka” was delivered by Catherine Bundi and Kui Gichuki. Peace Messages were presented by the President of the United Nations Nairobi Staff Union, James Ohayo and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Aeneas Chuma. This was followed by the “Peace Pledge”, led by Faces of Peace Kenya. The UN Secretary-General’s Message was read by the Director-General of the UNON, Amb. Sahle-Work Zewde. A minute of silence was also observed for victims and survivors of violence. A Special goodwill message from the Government of Kenya was read by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Richard Onyonka. Dignitaries then assembled at the Peace Pole for the writing of peace messages and group photographs. Refreshments were provided for all Guests and participants by the UNON. The Golden Ryle Poster presented to the Director –General of the United Nations Office at the Nairobi.

The program then moved to the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, where two distinguished gentlemen, former Mayors of Nairobi, great philanthropists, respected Peacebuilders and currently Chairman and Secretary-General respectively, of Former Mayors International, were honoured and decorated as “Golden Rule Goodwill Ambassadors”. The two recipients of the Golden Rule Ambassadors Award were His Worship Prof. Nathan Kahara, popularly known and described as the “Smiling Mayor” and His Worship Dr. Joe Akech. The two recipients were also appointed to serve on the URI Africa Advisory Council. A Special Band, visibly present, provided music and entertainment to Guests and everyone present. Dinner was specially prepared and served to bring the commemoration of the 2012 UN International Day of Peace in Nairobi, Kenya to a gladdening end. In all, URI build a bridge among many organizations and brought different organizations together to celebrate the international day of peace and open the door of partnership with many organizations. The event at Intercontinental Hotel was sponsored by  Prof. Nathan Kahara, Chairman of Former Mayors International and Goodwill Ambassador of the Golden Rule and member of Advisor Council of URI Africa.

May Peace Prevail in Africa

May Peace Prevail on Earth

Continue reading »]]> New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation is happy to announce the appointment of a Fundraising and Special Projects Manager in Volunteer Capacity.  He is David Svaluto, a Canadian Citizen; a highly motivated and innovative professional with a wide variety of work and volunteer experience in Provincial and Municipal Government, and customer service sectors with extensive practice in written and verbal communication, market campaign analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, etc.

David Svaluto holds a Post Graduate Certificate at the Seneca College as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Classical Studies from the Queen’s University, specializing in History, Political Studies, and Languages (Italian, German and Latin).  David Svaluto comes to New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation with great experience in international communications, media relations, investor relations, public relations writing, and strategic communications and government relations. In May 2012 David received the ‘President’s Honours Award for Highest Academic Standing’, and completed studies with a consistent 4.0 GPA. David had previously served as Communications Intern with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Prior to this, David also served as Research Assistant with the Archaeological Excavation (Basilicata, Italy) from July – August 2008. David’s appointment takes effect from Monday, September 3, 2012.

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DAVID SVALUTO

Key Role and Responsibilities

•Researches and identifies new government and private funding opportunities.
• Generates proposals and supporting documents in response to solicitations.
• Generates revenues for the organisational activities through timely submission of well-researched, well written and well-documented fund-raising proposals.
• Maintains and implements funding calendar activities.
• Writes reports to government, foundations and other funders.
• Acts as liaison with program staff.
• Identifies funding opportunities and new program areas to match institutional priorities, using research tools.
• Serves as a liaison to all funding agencies or organizations.
• Engages with program officers at organizations to solicit invitations to submit proposals.
• Special projects as needed.
• Develops a donor database and undertakes training with all staff members on its use.
• Assists in serving as a clearinghouse for the Foundation for all philanthropic grant requests, in consultation with the Foundation’s Executive Director.
• Trains Foundation staff on effective proposal writing.

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation is a unique Organization on a mission to build, support and empower teams of youth with capacities to emerge from a life on the streets, drugs and dysfunctional families, to becoming leaders capable of helping themselves and their communities. We are leading a movement that connects youth, educators and communities and empowers them to transform themselves from recipients of information and resources into valuable, contributing members of their communities.

Our values include

(1) a sense of belonging to a common humanity, (2) respect and consideration for all people, (3) compassion and non-violence, (4) a commitment to preserving the natural environment, and (5) a social service ethic.