UNA-Rwanda to Pilot Freedom From Violence Project

{{Countries engulfed in conflicts, insecurity and the lack of peace, have been found lacking in achieving the Millennium development Goals (MDGs).}}

A new project ‘Freedom from violence’ was launched June 24, seeking to promote the inclusion of Peace, security and Conflict Prevention in the post 2015 development agenda.

In essence, peace, security and conflict prevention must be part of any nation’s development agenda.

Rwanda which has experienced lack of peace and insecurity that climaxed into genocide against Tutsi in 1994, has managed to successfully transition into a model nation currently seen as a shinning star.

It’s against this background that Rwanda has been chosen to pilot the Freedom from violence project that will be implemented by United Nations Association-Rwanda (UNA-Rwanda) with support of the Swedish government through the world federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).

According to Jackline Kamanzi the Chairperson of UNA-Rwanda, the work will be mainly carried out in Rwanda, although the project’s outcome will be global reaching and some training and seminars may take place outside Rwanda.

Kamanzi explains that UNA-Rwanda will work with WFUNA and other UNAs on raising awareness, capacity building and engaging in dialogue and consultations to integrate peace, security and conflict prevention within the Post-2015 Development Agendas.

She adds that a series of trainings will be conducted throughout the country aimed at creating awareness, capacity building, gathering of thoughts and opinions among NGOs, Youth, Media and the academic Community on the inclusion of peace, security and conflict prevention in the Post – 2015 development agenda.

Speaking during a training workshop at Classic Hotel in Kicukiro, Kamanzi noted that participants will have acquired a great level of awareness on the project and advocate for incorporation of peace, security and conflict prevention in the post 2015 development agenda.

The training was attended by representatives from Rwanda Governance Board, Ministry of local government and Ministry of finance and economic planning, NGOs, Youth, Media and the academic Community.

The international community acknowledges the need to link peace and security to sustainable development and is speaking of peace and security as a 4th pillar to development.

Endorsed by the UN High Level panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda by acknowledging an inescapable link between, conflict prevention, peace and development and as such identified a list of goals including; ensuring good governance and effective institutions and Ensuring stable and peaceful societies.

As MDG’s deadline in 2015 comes closer, the international community has already started to motion a new post-2015 global development agenda with a discussion on what to include in the Post-2015 agenda taking place globally.

Its time to fully amalgamate security and conflict prevention in the development programme.

According to the UN High level panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda means that civil society ought to be engage broadly around the world.

Consultations are taking place at the UN level; however, since the idea of incorporation of security and conflict prevention into the development agenda is a new idea, civil societies globally require capacity, skills and the know-how to engage in these dialogues.

It’s argued that informed civil societies will be fundamental in advocating their governments on specific policies that influence the post-2015 debate, engage in UN-led consultations and amplify the global agenda.

WFUNA’s United Nations Association’s (UNAs), as advocates of all themes under the UN pillars and located in all parts of the world, has taken the initiative to take the lead on raising awareness and creating a platform in which civil society, the academic community, media and politicians can engage in inclusive dialogue.

UNA – Rwanda has a special mandate from WFUNA to advocate for implementation, disseminate information, lobby government, mobilise public support and to collaborate with other national voluntary organizations on projects related to all themes under the UN pillars.
{click to watch Video on Freedom from violence}