GNRC EAST AFRICAN CUP

PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION EAST AFRICA CUP “UNDER 16” REPORT 26 JUNE 2009

As Peace it's very important to every person in our world today regardless of our different race, culture, age, and religious. The East Africa Cup Organizers by understanding the crucial of peace provided the children two facilitators from the Global Network of Religions for Children Africa (GNRC Africa) to equip the participants objectives based on peace and conflict resolution two hours everyday for three days

I. OBJECTIVES

· Learning about life skills
· Non violent confrontation on conflict resolution
· Learning how to leave together
· Learning to be sensitive to understand and respect each other regardless of their differences
· Human dignity and responsibility
· Empowerment on how to positive attitude when facing daily challenges
· The togetherness struggle in order to have the better world for every human being

II. INPUT
The participants eagerly ingaged in lively discussions that encompessed the main points of the above objectives. The facilitators directed the course of each discussion by underlining the major points of each topic. This give-and-take resulted in meaningful coverage of the workshop's goals and objectives. The participants werre given ample time to express their viewpoints and were permitted to have a follow up to their questionss which resulted in an informative lively discussions and debates. The facilitators encouraged a spirited dialogue and guided the flow of the conversations by pointing out juxtoposing ideas and letting the participants use examples to strengthen their arguments.

III. OUTPUT
The participants were enthusiastic and excited at the end of each session and there were times when the discussions carried beyound the alloted time and vanue. All participants, including the supervisors, were happy with the workshop and how it addressed, in one way or another, the daily challenges that confront us all and hinder our progress towards achieving peace and conflect resolution. The discussions helped the participants see a workable way out of their own problems and/or how to positively apply the methods discussed and how to tackle their personal obstacles.

Some of the participants advocated for implementation of the points:
*Promote peace through religion.
*Diversity should be used as a strength and a uniting factor.
*Learn how to positively influence policies and policy makers.
*Energize the masses through education and awareness of the need of peace and conflect resolution.
*Capitalize on the vast number of participants in a forum like Africa Cup 2009 and address more issues that were not covered in this year's program.
*Conduct a survey/questionair and allow the participants to share their positive/negative views on the program and its impact (or lack of) on their personal lives.
*Periodical contact with the participants should be maintained via e-mai, or other medium, to encourage them impliment the lessons learned and to urge them promote future events.

IV. CHALLENGES
There were more than 1000 participating children in the East Africa Cup 2009. Unfortunately, there were only two facilitators on peace and conflict resolution. Each facilitator conducted a class with 50 or less participant which deprived a large number of willing children to attend these powerful sessions. It should be noted that there were more facilitators scheduled to attend but cancled at last minute due to personal reasons.