Concept Paper of the ACUHIAM Conference 2009

The Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (ACUHIAM) was established in 1989 with the objective of uniting Catholic institutions of higher learning and being "In the service of the integral promotion of humankind and for the needs of the churches and societies of Africa, these institutes want to contribute to their development as qualified tools of evangelization. It appeared to be useful and urgent to promote collaboration among these institutes, to organize common action and to define their contribution to the general task of Higher Education in Africa and Madagascar ." (Preamble of the Constitution)

This being our twentieth year in existence, we have found it necessary for us to organise a Conference on Justice and Peace. Despite the efforts made, many African communities have not experienced peace for the past three decades. We believe that a lot of consolidated efforts have been made by different actors to bring about peace and justice in Africa. It is our conviction that the Catholic Universities in Africa have a stake in this venture.

Following our General Assembly held in Bukavu, DRC, the Scientific Committee of ACUHIAM met on November 13th 2008 in Nairobi to draw up a plan of action for the members. High on agenda was that ACUHIAM holds an International Conference on Justice and Peace. A follow up meeting held in Kampala, Uganda , on 29 January 2009 finalized this concept paper and resolved to call for papers.

Mandate of ACUHIAM

Article of 4 b of ACUHIAM Constitution says that one of the purposes of the Association is to organise joint academic conferences.

Theme of the Conference:

Catholic Universities in Africa for Peace and Reconciliation: Searching for Root Causes and Solutions to Violence and Conflicts

Justification of the Conference

As Catholic Universities in Africa, we have realised that we have not participated fully on issues of peace building. We believe that we can sensitize the world at large to look for ways and means of making Africa a haven of peace. This Conference aims at bringing together different actors who will seriously look at the issue of conflict in Africa. Under the auspices of ACUHIAM the results of the Conference will be used in developing the curriculum and extra-curriculum of the universities. For the first time we will listen to voices that have not yet been heard. We shall hear from our Church leaders, political and civil leaders on the matter of bringing about peace in Africa.

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 on peace-related issues.

Amidst war-torn societies in Africa, the Conference shall investigate on ways and means of facilitating a peaceful and mutual benefiting 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 for Africa with the theme: Church in Africa in the Service to Reconciliation Justice and Peace.

Background to the Problem

Africa today is a battlefield. We notice killing, burning, destroying, looting and corruption. We have war in Southern Sudan, rebellion in northern Uganda; there is conflict in DRC. Burundi and Rwanda are still torn by Hutu-Tutsi hostilities. Kenya has problems with ethnic co-existence. The greatest terror in Africa is when communities know that they can eliminate other communities. Africa is always on the headlines for not very inspiring news: corruption, hunger, poverty, ethnic clashes and abuse of human rights. As African catholic universities and higher institutions of learning, we believe that we can contribute in making Africa a better place to live in.

The Conference aims at engaging a cross section of actors who will seek new ways of bringing about justice, peace and reconciliation in Africa. The Conference will sensitise Catholic institutions in Africa to participate fully in this peace process by including in their curriculum development issues of peace and reconciliation. It is also expected that these institutions will reach out to communities and educate people on peaceful co-existence and development.

Procedure of the Conference

There will be call for papers. The papers will be selected by the organising committee. Those presenters selected will be notified and will be given a slot in the Conference Schedule.

Each day there will be a Moderator who will introduce the speakers, guide and facilitate the discussion and rapporteurs to capture the main ideas of the discussion. At the beginning of the day's sessions a resume of the previous day will be given. The possibility of workshops during the conference is open.

Expected Results

The Conference aims at generating studies and analyses which may contribute to the formulation of proactive policies responding to the challenges of violence and conflict in Africa.

At the end of the Conference, Catholic Universities and Institutes will be expected to develop focused studies on violence, conflict resolution and peace building.

The papers presented to the Conference will be published in the ACUHIAM Journal. The course of action will be taken and there will be a follow-up.

Major Areas to be covered

Peace Education

Education for Peace

Theology and Peace

Family and Peace

Youth and Peace

Environmental and Peace

International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Economics and Peace

Ethnicity and Peace

Ethnicisation of Issues

Violence and Conflict

Peace Research

Cultures of Peace

Causes of Conflict

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

Globalisation and Peace

Causes of Violence

Action for Peace

Active non-violence

Peace Keeping

Sustained Dialogue for peace

Conflict Management

Religion and Peace

Mediation and Diplomacy

Social Inequalities

Reconciliation

The Church and Reconciliation

Reconciliation in African Cultures

Conflict Transformation

For more information, please visit www.acuhiam.org