By Durrell Namasani
The Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Honourable Timothy Mtambo joined the Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and other high profile guests as main speakers on this years international leadership conference Africa Region ILC2022 organised by Universal Peace Federation (UPF) international
The theme for this year conference was “analysis and strategies for peace on the Korean Peninsula and its relevance for Africa Region”. The conference had main location as Abuja Nigerian and Dar es salaam in Tanzania and took place on August 2nd and 3rd . The Malawi minister participated Virtually. The Conference built on the discussions and outcomes of the World Summit 2022 that took place in Korea in February and which resulted in the signing of the Seoul Declaration.
UPF is a global network of peace builders whose work centres around interfaith peace building, Peace and security, United Nations relations, education and human development and Youth and service. UPF promotes the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and encourages people to work for peace through serving their communities The organisation was founded by Korean Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, founded the Universal Peace Federation in 2005
Mtambo’s talk centred around “Peace and Conflict Management: Role of NGOs and FBOs
Case Study of Malawi.” He said Conflicts are part of human experience and that what matters most is the manner of managing conflicts “There are pre-requisites to successful management of conflicts. These include soft and hardware requirements in form of relevant knowledge and skills, on one hand, and policy, legal and institutional frameworks, on the other” Mtambo said. Mtambo who appeared on session five of the conference was also joined by Prof PLO Lumumba, University professor, Pan-Africanist and prominent speaker,Prof Shepherd Mayatula, South Africa and Hon. Venerable NZETBITEGHE, Senator in the Parliament of Gabon, Former Minister and former Advisor to the President of the Republic of Gabon
Mtambo highlighted a number of areas that likely bring conflicts in Malawi that includes property ownership especially land; chieftaincy succession; political and inter-religious conflicts
In regard to Frameworks for peaceful conflict resolution the minster shed light on some of the areas that his ministry has achieved in order to create a perfect platform for conflict resolution. The areas mentioned were The National Constitution, National Peace Policy, Ministry of National Peace and Unity
The Peace and Unity Act (2022): “the key objective of the Act is to provide for a mechanism for fostering peace and unity in Malawi; the establishment, management and operation of the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission; the establishment of a national structure for conflict prevent, management and resolution.” Said Mtambo.
Mtambo shared the key lessons that Malawi has learnt from the experiences it has experienced so far. He said there is Urgent need to locate peace and unity at the very centre of public development policy arguing that There is general consensus that sustainable development is subject to peace and unity.
Another lesson is that “There is need for the Creation of a culture of peace-personal attitude, value and belief systems are foundational to the culture of peace. Thus, entrenching peace education in the school curriculum is critical for future generations”
He went further to say the third lessons learnt is on Role of civil society and faith-based organizations highlighting that civil society organizations are well placed to advance the course of peace. He said given apparent neutrality civil society organizations can play roles of: Civic education for peace,
Peace blockers through negotiations and mediation, and advancing the attitudes and values of peace through preaching and early religious formation programmes
Other main speaker at the conference was the Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is also chairman of ISCP – Africa, Senator Mohamed Lafiagi from Ecowas Parliament, Dr Thomas Walsh, chairman of UPF international, Hon Gerald Gbenonchi , member of parliament in Benin and Dr Kathy Rigney who is the chairperson of UPF Africa.
