Program: Rotary West African Peace Caravan
Speaker: Richelieu Allison
The West African Youth Network (WAYN) has been actively working over the last few years to enhance the participation of young people in issues relating to peace building, conflict resolution, governance, accountability, youth development and human rights in West Africa. It was set up in March 2001.
The creation of the organization was in direct response to the rise in violent activities and the continuous marginalization and exploitation of young people in West Africa. It grew from the felt need to effectively mobilize the mass participation of young people to get off their fence and work constructively for the building of a culture of peace, human rights, governance and transparency in West Africa
Since its inception in 2001, WAYN has continued to initiate and implement a number of projects in line with its Mission Statement. From a modest beginning in March 2001, the organization has grown over the years and has captivated the attention of governments, regional organizations, civil society groups, the media and the donor community. It has extended its membership from five to thirteen countries and has implemented a number of programmes in line with its objectives.
Program Materials:
ROTARYWESTAFRICANPEACECARAVAN.pdf
Program Comments:
This week comments: 182, this week visitors: 66
Richard McCullough
Rotary Club of Midlothian, VA
20/Apr/09, 7:20am
this paper was about the plans for the Peace Caravan. A follow-up program on the actual results would be interesting.
What a wonderful project, I grew up in east Africa and I know how violence and terror can be on a daily basis. Africa is a beautiful continent, I am sure some day peace, human rights, governance and transparency will be in those countries.
john h tucker
tulsa downtown
16/Apr/09, 8:43am
Wonderful project. As a past GSE team member to India I continue to be impressed by how much the ideals of Rotary capture the imagination of ordinary people in countries that do not much like the US.
Elizabeth Spurry
Easton, MD
15/Apr/09, 8:02am
You have great site!
I am in Australia visiting a young Rotary Student that stayed with us 25 years ago. She now has twin boys who are 9 years old. What a great experience.
I have been to East Africa and My thought was what agreat Idea the Peace Caravan is.
I especially enjoyed this program, and the chance to learn more about what is resulting from the Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies.
Rachel Hoskins
Franklin Daybreak Rotary
06/Apr/09, 2:55pm
The Rotary West Africa Peace Caravan will play a vital role in changing the views of people in West Africa. It is amazing what one program, which addresses some basic needs, can work toward peace and reconciliation in a country that has seen violence and hatred fro decades. Programs such as the Rotary Peace Hut is a prime example that meeting basic needs is key to fostering understanding and tolerance.
This was my first eclub experience.
Linda A. Fanaras
Bow, NH
01/Apr/09, 3:38pm
Enjoyed it
Bill McLeRoy
Western Fort Worth
01/Apr/09, 8:58am
WAYN is much-needed in West Africa. It's great to see the linkage with Rotary. Tremendous challenges for the project lie ahead: tribal antipathy, need for more trade with the world, and focusing global attention on the area's needs.
Bill Larson
Attleboro MA
01/Apr/09, 5:58am
It sounds like a great idea,best of luck with the program. Thanks.
Barbara Sutton
Murfreesboro Noon Rotary
30/Mar/09, 7:30pm
I would very much like to hear how the results of the peace caravan - perhaps in the Rotary Magazine. My main concern would be for violence that could be met in various villages due to the instability of these areas.
Great initiative. I wish the project a great success
Donald Ruff
Rotary Club of Scottsdale
25/Mar/09, 9:56am
Was interestimg to learn of the organization of the Rotary West African Peace Caravan with its goal to enhance peace and improved human rights in the 13 countries of Weast Africa
linda Baker
Rotary Club of Tulsa
24/Mar/09, 11:32am
Making peace and helping your neighbor seems like such an easy thing to do. It should come so naturally to love your brother and share your bread. There's so many challenges around the world. Thanks to the Rotary West African Peace Caravan.
The objectives of this program are ambitious and I hope they are attained. Mobillizing local people is worthwhile but my experience in Africa was that they would most often not carry through on their own after the initial facilitators left. Those facilitiators had the greatest success when they lived and integrated in the areas in which they worked. This program is not set up that way, being mobile by definition. I would be interested to see a later study of the results.
What a wonderful project. Requiring a lot of commitment and likely subject to a lot of rejection. A follow up report in 6 months to a year would be very interesting
Excellent program! We need to be kept in the loop and track the actual results.
Roxann Pixler
Gatlinburg Rotary Club
19/Mar/09, 7:12am
The Rotary West African Peace Caravan seems like a daunting project but one that will bring its participants a high level of satisfaction for their efforts.
Clinton Godwin
Rotary Club of Tulsa
18/Mar/09, 7:47am
Excellent project
West Africa needs Rotary help.
Wendy Mitchell
Seminole Rotary Club
17/Mar/09, 11:08am
This is a fantastic initiative!
Jeff Miller
Rotary Club of Hollister
15/Mar/09, 10:00pm
Quite an ambitious project! It will be interesting to see the results.
Interesting program detailing the Rotary West African Peace Caravan which is a joint project of Rotary International and the West African Youth Network. The need for this project arose as result of civil violence which first erupted in Liberia in 1989, and later spread into nearby Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast. Peace returned thanks to the intervention of the United Nations. The Peace Caravan intends to instill long term peace throughout the fifteen countries comprising the Economic Community of West African States (an organization which was founded in 1975). The Peace Caravan plans to involve youth and local people in "peace building" by establishing eight Rotary Peace Brigades at various border points and by constructing seven Rotary Peace Huts for non-violent conflict resolution. Through education, awareness, adoption of the Rotary Peace Community Initiative, sponsorship of two "peace building workshops" and engaging women, youth and elders in nurturing a culture of peace, it is hoped that the civil disorder of West Africa's past can become less frequent and much more contained. Another great Rotary project!
carmen szladowski
Irvine Spectrum
15/Mar/09, 1:56pm
Very good, would like some pictures of some Africa areas
Thanks for a very important & informative program. Judy
It is good to see us trying to do something in Africa, but It must be a tough battle. But then again who would have thought we could do away polio.
Randy Randhawa
Rotary Club of St. Albert
13/Mar/09, 9:23am
You are doing a great job of keeping your members engaged in worthwhile activities. I enjoyed reading the article about the West African Peace Caravan. In the present troubled world it is never too late to promote peace and peaceful conflict resolution.
Don Goldsmith
Grand Prairie Metro Rotary Club
13/Mar/09, 8:46am
Great Way for a make up.
Nice to see a Rotary Peace Scholar at work. Hope we cans see/hear more of this.
Carole, great Sgt At Arms moment.
Gary Banet
New Albany
11/Mar/09, 5:45pm
None
Leigh Selby
Rotary of Santa Cruz
11/Mar/09, 5:19pm
What a great project!
3-11-2009
The Rotary West African Peace Caravan is a project with Rotarians from different countries and participants who are African. The mission of this 3 week effort is to reach out to local people and to work to promote peace through improving the understanding between the parties and groups in conflict. In the last 20 years conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast have developed and the plan of this caravan is to help those fighting others to see the merits of peace.
Thank you!
Rotary is truly doing great work with the West African area.
Jinx Oberly
Rotary Club of Greenfield
11/Mar/09, 3:14am
Interesting and brings back memories. My daughter was on the Mercy Ship docked at Sierra Leone. A group of Rotarians came onto the ship to work with them. they also distributed wheelchairs to post polio victims.
james bunker
Tucson Casas Adobes
10/Mar/09, 3:45pm
Peace in Africa is so far away it is discouraging, Good intentions, but I think hands -on efforts, e.g. along healthcare issues ( see Bill Gates) is more effective.
Margo Gary
Arlington North Rotary
10/Mar/09, 7:48am
I really enjoyed reading about the Caravan. I think it is amazing work that needs to spread to other areas of conflict.
Brian BURT
Gawler
09/Mar/09, 11:23pm
I enjoyed the meeting and commend the efforts of the Rotary African Peace Caravan. May it be the model for more such projects.
It is wonderful to see the great potential of the Rotay Peace Fellows program coming to fruition. I look forward to hearing more stories about thei work in the days to come.
Good information about WAYN.
an excellent program promoting peace through practical efforts
don klein
rotary club of omaha, west
08/Mar/09, 10:29am
great topic. hope the have some measure of succes
Sounds like an honorable initiative! I hope their efforts can capture the imagination of young people in West Africa such that they actively spread the word about this and similar projects.
I also enjoyed the story of the grandfather who encouraged his grandson to find a blessing in each day. A good lesson for all of us, who like the boy's father, get so caught up in our day-to-day work that it can be hard to remember to enjoy the sunlight on the leaves.
Our visit to Africa in 2003 gives Fay and I the first hand vision to the wonderful works and borders the Rotary world can climb over , Well done
Immanuel Freedman
Harleysville Rotary Club
06/Mar/09, 8:47pm
Let's hope that the Peace Caravan can build trust defuse conflict in the region.
I especially enjoyed two features: the Sergeant At Arms message on Counting Your Blessings which I copied to read at our club, and the link to www.whyIam.org
I especially enjoyed two features: the Sergeant At Arms message on Counting Your Blessings which I copied to read at our club, and the link to www.whyIam.org
Amy Curtis
Rotary Club of Alexandria, VA
06/Mar/09, 11:17am
It is a fascinating idea. I am always thrilled to hear how Rotary scholars are putting their Rotary Ideas to work!
Thanks, Richelieu, for a wonderful introduction to your organization and the Peace Caravan!
What a wonderful and throughly thought out plan! It will be a great help for the West African people.
This is an inspiring project. However, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa (Ghana) from 2002 - 2004 and I want to assure people that many of the countries in West Africa are peaceful and stable. Personally, I think one of the best ways to peace esepcially in the developing world is to eliminate poverty.
It's great to see the fruits of the Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies programs!
Ken Kaergard
Rotary Club of St. Charles
05/Mar/09, 7:45am
I applaud any effort to overcome tribal and religious hatred. The development of trust and stability must be followed up by economic improvement in the lives of people in the affected areas. Clean water, healthy sources of food, medical care, employment, all will contribute to security and stability in the reagion.
We have serious poverty problems with Americans in, e.g., Kentucky and W. Virginia---can't get too enthused about Africa's problems. 60 Minutes' program recently quoted an Indian physician in KY who said the poverty level is greater than in India; hard to believe after seeing "Slumdog Millionaire", but take his word for it.
Tim Jackson
Ahwatukee Foothills
04/Mar/09, 9:12pm
Highly interesting
Emmett Jones
Mesa sunrise rotary
04/Mar/09, 8:46am
on program, I am very proud as a Rotarian, of these efforts. However, until this group recogizes the true "problem" is the spread of islamic terror is causing the issues, their results may be less than anticipated. Overall, a great, great program.
Charlotte Campbell
Three Eagles Goldsboro
03/Mar/09, 9:29pm
Very interesting and no mention as to the financial aspects
erwin samuelson
palos verdes sunset
03/Mar/09, 6:47pm
W O W
Jean Modos
Stougthon Rotary Club
03/Mar/09, 5:25pm
It's amazing what a few people with vision can do to make a difference. Peace has to start with the residences of an area not with the government.
Any effort at peace in any part of the world is to be applauded by everyone, but especially Rotarians. I am happy to read that the youth of the countries are becoming involved. Perhaps a day will arrive in the future where we do not spend our human and financial resources to war against one another but rather to live peacefully together and prosper.
Lois Chilton
Grand Coulee Dam Area
03/Mar/09, 1:08pm
Thanks once more for a great meeting & a great program. Thanks too for being available as a "Rotary Home away from home."
Non-violent conflict resolution especially important here !!
Hats off to the folks with the know-how and courage to do such programs in africa!!
edward adler
Scottsdale Rotary Club
02/Mar/09, 8:01pm
Just thought it was very interesting
Paul Lehman
Rotary Club of Naperville, Illinois
02/Mar/09, 7:41pm
Rotary can bring hope to any war-torn region. Hopefully, this effort in West Africa will produce increasing results.
Nicely ties into our World Peace Project and a great program deserving support. It could be a model for many other parts of the world.
Mel
A convenient way to make up. NO EXCUSES FOR NOT HAVING PERFECT ATTENDANCE!
The Rotary Peace and Reconciliation project is doing a great job in getting the young involved. What a wonderful way to work towards peace and reconciliation in this troubled world.
