Jan 27, Kenyan Quaker Peace Conf Action Plan

Kenyan National Quaker Peace Conference

Plan of Action

27 January 2008

Coordinating Committee

The Conference appointed the following Coordinating Committee to implement immediate measures and to put steps in place toward the longer-term actions.

Henry Mukwanja

Henry Apencha

Getry Agizah

Rose Imbega

David Zarembka

Seth Chayugah

Wesley Harun Sasita

Henry Mkutu

Joseph Mamai Makokha

Lydia Bakassa

Chrispinus Sifuna

Hezron Masitsa

Eric Lijodi

ex-officio:

John Muhanji

Eden Grace

Gladys Kangahi

Dorothy Selebwa

Jacob Neyole

Moses Musonga

Sammy Akifuma

Immediate crisis-intervention measures

Political crisis:

Issue a public statement from this Conference

Use the media to publicize messages of peace and reconciliation

Document and disseminate stories of people acting in courageous non-violent ways

Engage in non-violent direct action to stop violence and retaliation in our communities

Humanitarian crisis – internally displaced people:

Shelter, accommodation

Food, water, fuel

Clothing

Medication, first aid, health care

Security and safety

Sanitation

Trauma counseling

Bible distribution

Activities, games

Access to schooling

Inter-communal crisis:

Mediate in situations of acute conflict

Assist in reconciliation between displaced people and those who threatened them

Reintegrate displaced people into the community; rebuild trust between neighbors

Psychological and spiritual crisis:

Crisis-intervention counseling

Train primary school teachers on the effects of trauma on young children

Offer trauma counseling for IDPs

Reach the “disaffected” youth, e.g. boda boda drivers, touts, the unemployed

Scale up AVP to reach as many places as possible

Establish “listening programmes” for people to tell their stories in a safe environment

Preach the gospel of peace, educate our own people on the teachings of our church

Crisis of youth in this country:

Begin a pilot programme for civic and peace education in Quaker schools

Organize youth work camps to help with humanitarian work and rebuilding

Organizational capacity:

Establish a national coordination body for the short-term work

Address need for personnel, including placement of volunteers

Networking and communications

Guarantee integrity and transparency in use of funds, to maintain our good reputation

Possible cluster areas for longer-term work, and potential activities:

Youth Empowerment

Create a fund for youth empowerment

Youth programmes, e.g. volunteer training and action, work camps, vocational training

Seriously examine the involvement of youth in the structures of the Friends Church

Re-engage with our Quaker schools

Peer-mediation and AVP in the schools

Economic Development

Income generating activities

Teach practical business skills, entrepreneurship

Humanitarian Relief

Relief Fund for future disasters

Peace, justice and non-violence – a movement for social transformation toward a culture of peace

Peace Research Institute (at the University)

Peace Radio, other publications

Workshops, mediation, trauma healing, AVP, listening

Restorative justice movement

Peace curriculum through the Ministry of Education

Training for non-violent direct action for social change

Advocacy

Establish an organization which can organize the Friends voice on Public Policy matters

Build the capacity of Friends to be involved in the civic agenda at all levels

Use the model of QUNO “quiet diplomacy”

Spiritual development of the Peace Testimony

Review and improve the content of the membership class curricula

Strengthen the peace and justice programmes at Friends Theological College

Organizational capacity

National Management Committee – develop institutional capacity

Network with other peace organization in Kenya and around the world

Resources

Friends United Meeting and Friends World Committee for Consultation are both active in raising overseas funds for relief and reconstruction. The Conference urges all Kenyans to raise local funds and to deposit them in the account of Friends United Meeting, Barclays Bank, Kisumu Branch #2007332. All money will be used efficiently and effectively, with transparency and integrity.