Tuesday 10 June 2008

KENYA: ‘Ambassadors of Peace’ to Launch National Healing Initiative NAIROBI,


April 18, 2008 (CISA) -A national faith-based peace building initiative to promote healing and reconciliation will be inaugurated on Saturday Ambassadors of Peace Initiative will be launched at St. John’s Catholic Church Korogocho, Nairobi, starting 9 am by Archbishop Emeritus Ndingi Mwana a’ Nzeki, Retired Presbyterian pastor Rev. Timothy Njoya, Sheik Abdi Addullahi and former nominated MP Njoki Ndungu.The initiative seeks to encourage peace building, healing and reconciliation among communities that have been affected directly or indirectly by the post-election violence. It also aims to rebuild diverse communities and rekindle a sense of nationalism.The project is an initiative of Jesuit Hakimani Centre in Nairobi in collaboration with the Kenya Episcopal Conference, CAFOD and the Jesuit Eastern Africa Province.A statement from Hakimani director, Fr Elias Omondi S.J., said Ambassadors for Peace Initiative will work with national leaders in every part of Kenya, with particular emphasis in the areas worst-hit by the post-election violence: Nairobi, Nakuru, Kericho, Kitale, Eldoret, Kisumu and Kisii.Ambassadors of peace will visit target areas and interact with local leaders. During those sessions, they will emphasize the quest for peace whilst providing a public forum where people could reframe the future and deliberate on activities that can bring all members of the community together.Hakimani will provide relevant guideline materials for reflection and personal transformation. Once the local lead groups have a working understanding of the process (founded on inward looking, tolerance, respect for diversity and a personal call for shaping the future) participants will be encouraged to form communities of dialogue.“It is envisioned that these communities of dialogue will keep the discussions alive and continue to design community initiatives that aim at peace and nation building,” Fr Omondi said.

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