Report on Support to the Establishment of Mechanisms for Consolidation and Sustenance of Peaceful Coexistence of Communities in Post-War Northern Uganda

Abstract

The training was aligned to UNESCO's current project focus on the different factors contributing to conflict reduction and to nurture sustainable peaceful co-existence. Common cultural practices and shared mechanisms and the ability to identify and promote the things that connect our communities, were among the elements that informed this training. For instance, traditional justice systems, moral, religious and other cultural values were considered vital in cementing peace among diverse communities such as those targeted for this training. Land conflicts, including those that are inter-tribal and inter-state were found to be stressing community relations and affecting peaceful co-existence. The overall objective of the intervention was to promote the establishment of sustainable mechanisms for consolidation and sustenance of the culture of peace and non-violence and application of the principles of the International Decade for Reproachment of Cultures (2013-2022) as a means of attaining the targets in the 2030 Agenda and achievement of a sustainable peaceful coexistence among the post-war communities in Northern Uganda. Among the important outputs, the consultancy was able to achieve the various objectives especially in establishing mechanisms for peaceful intercultural coexistence among the 25 ethnic communities in northern Uganda. This was through the various activities previously outlined, including: trainings, follow-up workshop and national stakeholders' meeting. All these engagements showed the relevance of promoting peaceful co-existence in the region. The training provided peace agents with practical skills and knowledge applicable in basic peace-building and conflict resolution efforts through five units inter-related topics pertinent for community related interventions. The training approaches used were participatory, simple and transferable to any context with minimal resources. The follow-up workshop on the other hand provided the peace agents the opportunities to showcase their activities, share experiences, take lessons from others and above all, highlight what is being achieved practically at community levels in terms of promoting peaceful coexistence. The national stakeholders confirmed the need for such interventions and recognized the importance of multispectral approaches in promoting peaceful coexistence in Uganda.