C A L L    F O R    P A P E R S
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES IN AFRICA FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION: SEARCHING FOR ROOT CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENCE AND CONFLICTS

The Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (ACUHIAM) is organizing an International Conference to be held in Nairobi at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) from 30 June to 2nd July 2009 on the above theme.

The objectives of the Conference are:

  1. To bring out visibility of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes in Africa on global forum on issues of justice, reconciliation and peace in Africa
  2. To be active agents in preparation for the second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Africa to be held in October 2009.
  3. To impact on the affairs of Church and society on matters of justice, reconciliation and peace.

The Conference aims at looking at the root causes and solutions to conflict in Africa. By doing this the Conference shall be able to contribute to promoting peace and security in Africa through education, training and research.

Amidst war-torn societies in Africa, the Conference shall investigate on ways and means on facilitation a peaceful and mutual benefit co-existence of communities. It is a call to develop new visions on the future of Africa where people will experience peace and stability, development, integration, common ideals, values and interests. Africa of the 21st Century must achieve peace.

The Conference aims at being an active agent in the preparation of the Second Synod of Bishops on Africa with the theme: Church in Africa in the Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.

 Core Thematic Areas 

Peace Education

  1. Education for Peace
  2. Theology and Peace
  3. Family and Peace
  4. Youth and Peace
  5. Environment and Peace
  6. International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
  7. Economics and Peace
  8. Ethnicity and Peace
  9. Ethnicisation of Issues

10.  Violence and Conflict

Peace Research

1.   Cultures of Peace

2.   Causes of Conflict

3.   Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

4.   Globalisation and Peace

5.   Causes of Violence

Action for Peace

  1. Active non-violence
  2. Peace Keeping
  3. Sustained Dialogue for peace
  4. Conflict Management
  5. Religion and Peace
  6. Mediation and Diplomacy
  7. Social Inequalities

Reconciliation

  1. The Church and Reconciliation
  2. Reconciliation in African Cultures
  3. Conflict Transformation

Submission of abstracts

Interested presenters are encouraged to prepare an abstract of 500 words by 30th March 2009. Successful abstracts will be responded to by April 15th, 2009 and they will be required to forward the conference paper of between 7,000 to 9,000 words by May 20th 2009 to the ACUHIAM Secretariat. Successful papers will be published.

Conference language is English and French.

You are all invited to write your papers to be presented during the Conference.

For Registration and booking of accommodation, please visit our Website. Note that registration fee is USD 100. Lunch and tea will be provided during the Conference. Participants will be required to accommodate and transport themselves to and from the venue. More information is available at: www.acuhiam.org.

All submissions should be sent via email to the ACUHIAM Secretariat addressed to:

Dr Peter I. Gichure

ACUHIAM Secretary

Tel: +254 20891601-6

Fax: +254 20891084

Email: acuhiamsecretariat@hotmail.co.uk

           acuhiam@cuea.edu

Website: www.acuhiam.org