Kenya

Prevention Meeting at Quaker House 2011

QUNO Representative Sarah Clarke with visiting Chinese scholars to the UN in New York (credit: Jason Tower)

The prevention of violent conflict is one of the principal charter objectives of the UN, yet the prevention discussion remains fragmented and lacking in focus. QUNO continues to raise awareness about local peacemaking initiatives in Myanmar and encourages a balanced approach to the region. The work with China and with other ‘rising power’ Member States continues to make significant progress. QUNO has been an active participant in policy discussions about the future direction of work on the prevention of violent conflict at the UN.

Friends in Kenya - group photo

Group photo of AFSC meeting with Quaker partners and organizations at Friends International Center in Nairobi.

The AFSC-Africa program was excited to host Arlene Kelly, Clerk of the Board of AFSC for 10 days. Her visit included time with the AFSC staff and partners in five countries and community members in areas where AFSC works. 

Community Dialogue El-Wak

Community dialogue is held in the bordering El-Wak towns on the Somali and Kenya sides.

Scarcity of grazing land has led to conflicts among pastoralist communities living along both sides of the Kenya and Somalia border. In Elwak, Somalia livestock is the main source of livelihood for the residents and the same is true for neighboring communities living on the other side of the border in Kenya.  Unfortunately with limited space, violent conflict led to preventable deaths.

DEP Mediation Group Photo

Group of participants in the workshop on Mediation.

“Mediation is one way of dealing with conflicts non-violently. On the spectrum of force to reconciliation – this is the ultimate goal of our continent. When we use force we suppress conflict, we do not resolve the conflict, in reality we are putting off the conflict for the future. Reconciliation is what we inspire to do. It is our vision; it is a mechanism for avoiding future conflicts.” These were words from John Katunga, a presenter during the Mediation DEP, and also a native from the Democratic Republic of Congo.