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Jun 2nd, 2008 - 18:18:39 |
Chisomaga
The network of choice, i am happy to be here now
Jun 25th, 2007 - 07:35:52 |
Hauwa Umar
Summary Report
The Call-of-the-Time Dialogue and Retreat, May 24 – 27 2007, Oxford England
The Call-of-the-Time dialogue and retreat of the 2007 held at Global Retreat Center in Oxford, England, from May 24 – 27, 2007 with the topic: “From knowledge to wisdom: power as embodiment of elevated character.” The dialogue was organized by the Brahma Kumaris United Nations Office, hosted by Dadi Janki, Co-Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and co-facilitated by Peter M. Senge and Sister Jayanti.
The Call-of-the-Time dialogues have been running since 1999, convening leaders from all fields of service to consider the question, “What is the call of this time for me?” Hundreds of leaders have convened in retreat settings all over the world for conversation and silent reflection on the deepest subjects at the heart of leadership. This dialogue included a mix of seasoned leaders and those who are in the early part of their careers. This was the most diverse group ever convened in terms of age, ethnicity and nationality.
Leadership is not merely about positional power, which gives the leader influence over resources and institutional agendas. It is about personal power, a subtle strength of character that others sense in the leader and that makes them willing to follow. It is the quality of character we instantly recognize in a wise and powerful leader such as Nelson Mandela – even when he was sitting in prison on Robben Island.
During the retreat, we considered the essence of wisdom in leadership and of true power, starting with the most subtle and interior dimension, spiritual power, which gives us mastery over the flow of thoughts to the mind. Those with inner, spiritual power are able to hold in their awareness the thoughts that give them strength and support their creativity. They are able to remain stable – even when everything around them is falling apart. Leadership also entails giving which must not be seen as draining but a way of nurturing.
Spiritual power is the seed of all other kinds of power, and transforms everything it touches. Over the four days of this retreat and dialogue, we considered sources of power, practices that cultivate wisdom and true power, and the higher tier of responsibility that comes to those who are powerful. We had time together in plenary sessions of about 30, in small groups, and time alone for personal reflection. This included meditation and six hour of silence.
In conclusion, the retreat created an enabling environment for learning, sharing, spiritual progress, security and principles on how to change the world for the better. Leadership can be lonely, but meditation helps one go back inside to re-strategize, re-coop, recharge, then go back to saving the world.
Mar 20th, 2007 - 13:12:40 |
Hauwa Umar
Sudan Young Leaders Dialogue, March 1-7, 2007, Laikipia, Kenya
Dear All,
The Global Peace Initiative of Women, in cooperation with local partners and the Young Leaders Peace Council with support of the UNDP in Sudan organized the Sudan Young Leaders Dialogue. The meeting was made possible after many consultations with the Sudanese delegates of the United Nations first and second Pan-African Youth Leadership Summits and the Global Youth Leadership Summit. The meeting held March 1-7, 2007 at the Gallmann Memorial Foundation and Africa Conservancy - a 100,000-acre nature preserve, in the Great East Africa Rift Valley, which is approximately a 5-hour drive from Nairobi, Laikipia, Kenya.
The dialogue being the first follow-up conference from the Global Peace building Retreat (a pre-summit to the UN Global Youth Leadership Summit which held in October 2006, New York), brought Young leaders from each region of Sudan (Central, South, East, North and West), as well as International youth from varying backgrounds, sectors, and both genders between the ages of 20-35 years, to discuss peace building and development initiatives that will rebuild areas devastated by conflict, as well as sustaining natural resources and building human and inter-community relations, with a special focus on Sudan.
The goal of the Sudan Youth Dialogue is to provide a comprehensive development related experience, particularly at a time when Sudan faced pivotal challenges. The meeting focused at localizing the MDGs in Sudan so that youths may learn best practices in development and explore initiatives that build community partnership and cooperation.
The aims include:
a. Build skills in dialogue and communication, inter-cultural exchange, and the exploration of a Sudan youth environmental project.
b. Outline a framework for a Sudanese youth network to tackle the effects of war as well as achieve peace and the MDGs.
c. Grow into an ongoing platform through which Sudanese youth can share their personal experiences, methods for overcoming development challenges, and collaborate on community projects that promote responsible leadership
Activities at the forum included:
• Team building Activity
• The National view: youth in Sudan session which addressed the challenges young people face throughout Sudan
• The ways international community is working towards ensuring peace in Sudan session
• The status of Millennium Development Goals in Sudan session specifically addressing poverty reduction, gender equity, environment and the spread of HIV/AIDS
• The healing power of nature: Kenya session, which is the tree planting session
• The building interaction skills: choosing the appropriate style session which had a Negotiating Styles: A self assessment exercise
• The Great Rift Valley sunset and meditation and inter-faith prayer for peace conducted on one of the high mountains at the conservancy;
• Skill building:The problem solving and project development session which had participants create a framework for problem solving that addresses how to analyze a problem, identify different actors or stakeholders, defining goals, and set in motion the process for achieving goals. The group also considered the role civil society can play in preventing and finding solutions to problems, and what young people can do to hold institutions accountable in their commitments to advance youth development
• The addressing needs of youth in Darfur session
• Traditional African healing with Kenyan herbalist (fondly known as Gogo) from the Pokot tribe in which she gave a little tour around the conservancy showing different medicinal plants and explaining their uses for treatment
• The youth perspective – Sudan and beyond session in which the members of the Young Leaders Peace Council shared what they know and understand about youth obstacles relating to conflict, rebuilding efforts and social challenges. The council members in attendance include: Ms. Amel Al-Dehaib (Sudan), Mr. Abu Sufian Taj El-Safia (Sudan), Ms. Lydia Muchodo (Uganda), Mr. Hovig Etymezian (Lebanon), Mr. Tamao Koyama (Japan), Mr. Yota (Japan), Ms Sophie Hsieh (Taiwan, China), and Ms. Hauwa Umar (Nigeria),
• The Next steps: building a Sudan Youth Network session was the final discussion which focused on outlining a framework for a Sudan youth forum, which was named “Sudanese Youth Network for Development” with the goal of advocating for the MDGs. The objectives and the mission statement were also outlined.
• The program also included safari outings and site visits.
In conclusion, the dialogue presented an opportunity for young people to address issues bordering on how to secure the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that has been signed by North and South Sudan; as they are already working at the community/grass-root level, it therefore becomes a foundation to be built upon. With the international community ready to assist as much as they can, this dialogue has equipped the youth to come up with concrete action plans which promotes peace and subsequent sustainable development in the various communities of Sudan.
Mar 3rd, 2007 - 11:40:48 |
rotexonline
Election monitoring and voter education dialogue for young people
As a prelude to the Nigerian Election, The Nigerian Youth network on MDGs (NYNM) and the Electoral mandate and Protection Vanguard (EMPV) organised a dialogue for young people at the Ladoke Akintola University of technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Election Monitoring and Voter education towrds the 2007 election.
The dialogue was supported by the Female Leadership Forum with funding from the European Union.
The dialogue commenced with a presentation by Rotimi Olawale, on the Nigerian electoral process and the involement of young people. He highlighted the 3 basic tenets of the electoral process. the pre, main and post electoral process and how young people need to be actively involved in voter mobilization and election monitoring. He also spoke on the need for young people to shun violence in the forth coming elections.
The dialogue continued with a paper presentation by Mr. Ariyo of the Female Leadership Forum on the role of Youth in the electoral process. The presentation dealt on how young people can express their rights in an electoral process andd become an agent of change instead of being used as tools for violence.
Ewajesu Asala of the Nigerian Youth Network on MDGs anchored the role play and the group discussions that allowed participants to brainstorm on how they can be agents of change in their environment and amongst their peers towards a violence free and fair election in Nigeria. Presentations were made after the group discussions from each group.
In all, 47 participants which included leaders of departmental associations, the student union and youth clubs attended the dialogue. Refreshment, resource materials and Tee-shirts were provided to all participants with support from the Female Leadership Forum and funding from the European Union.
NOTE: Nigeria is currently preparing to hold elections into the three tiers of Government. The 2007 elections which will hold in mid April is crucial to the sustenance of Nigeria's fledging democracy and economic Growth, therefore it is pertinent and important that all actors and stakeholders in the Nigerian project including young people work together to ensure an hitch free election.
Thanks
Rotimi Olawale & Hauwa Umar
Nigerian Youth spokes persons on the MDGs
Feb 22nd, 2007 - 03:48:36 |
Hauwa Umar
Common Ground Film Festival, February 13 – 16 2007
Dear All,
I want to welcome all the new members of this forum and also to share the Nigerian update of our follow up activities after the Global Summit.
I want to welcome all the new members of this forum and also to share the Nigerian update of our follow up activities after the Global Summit.
Rotimi and I (Hauwa) attended the Common Ground Film Festival which held February 13 – 16, 2007 in Abuja, Nigeria, presented by UNDP, Search for Common Ground and Academic Associates Peace works, where for four days and nights, specially selected films from Nigeria, South Africa, Somalia, Rwanda, Canada, Israel, and the U.S., were screened. Many of the films have won international film awards and have been seen in international film festivals and at the United Nations in New York. The films inspired constructive responses to difficult social issues and showed the commonalities among people while not ignoring the differences that divide them. Each program included specially invited guests and speakers for a facilitated conversation following each film.
At the Opening Night (February 13, 2007) of the Film Festival, the opening speech was made by the UNDP Resident Representative - Mr. Alberic Kacou in which he stated that the festival is part of their support to peace building and good governance in Nigeria.
The first movie shown was “In my Country”, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Juliette Binoche, which depicts the theme of the discussions that followed “Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa”. The discussants from the South African High Commission and the Institute of Democracy in South Africa shared the value of “Ubuntu” which entails knowing the truth about apartheid, forgiveness, reconciliation and moving forward to create a better society for all races.
Other movies and discussion themes were as follows.
February 14, 2007
Theme: The Role of the Media in Peacebuilding
Film: Talk Mogadishu & “Responsibility” (an Episode from “The Station”)
The session talked about the Somalis Ma-alinti Rangers (“The Day of the Rangers”) battle that was fought on October 3 and 4, 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia against Somali militia fighters, the battle fought for control of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia in 2006 and the role of media taking responsibility in broadcasting and promoting peace.
Theme: Youth - Consequences of Violence
Film: Improbable Pairs; One People One Planet; In Rwanda We Say; Music Video “In My Heart”
It depicted the psychological and physical effects the 1994 Rwandan genocide had on young people as they were used as child soldiers, raped, displaced, mimed, killed and how those effects directly and indirectly affect the whole world. The discussions hinged on hope, forgiveness, how we should never allow such gruesome evil act to happen again.
February 15, 2007
Theme: Women Making Peace
Film: Peace by Peace
The documentary shows the role women play in peace building in conflict and post conflict situations. Women from Afghanistan, Somalia, Palestine, Sudan and Israel shared their stories. The discussions wedged on our collective responsibilities as women to ensure peace in our world.
Theme: Coexistence and Bridge building
Film: The Imam and the Pastor & Improbable Pairs
The power of inter-religious dialogue in creating understanding, respect and fostering peace among people was the main point of the discussion.
February 16, 2007
Theme: Children and Peace
Film: Dinner for Two & Just a Little Red Dot
Children Arts & Crafts
The film shows us how we have so much to learn from children’s portrayal of peace and their ability to easily forgive.
Theme: Impact of Corruption on Society
Film: Saworo Ide
The Nigerian movie shows how bad governance and corruption leads to series of violence and subsequent underdevelopment in a community. The term “Saworo Ide” means the “Brass Drum” in Yoruba language, which depicts the voice of the people for justice.
Kind regards,
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