Annual Convention to measure progress on peace and development

By Stephen Makabila

An annual Head-of-State sponsored Global Peace Convention is to be established locally to measure the progress on peace and development initiatives and advance new partnerships.

This was part of the eight Resolutions by Global Peace Convention delegates from more than 40 nations, dubbed the ‘Nairobi Declaration’, made on November 19, 2010.

The Declaration was part of the activities marking the Global Peace Festival Foundation (GPFF), at Nairobi’s Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) between November 17 to 20 2010.

Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist Mr Paul Melly (second left) receives a Global Peace Convention plaque from Mabati Rolling Mills Chairman Dr Manu Chandaria (right) accompanied by Mr Fredrick Rangala (left) and Mr Vincent Rapando when they paid him a courtesy call in his office at the Standard Group Centre on Wednesday.[PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

GPFF focuses on dynamic initiative in three key areas namely interfaith cooperation, building strong stable families and promoting a culture of service for the greater good especially among the youth.

The Co-chairman of the GPFF held in Nairobi, Dr. Manu Chandaria, on Wednesday handed over a copy of the ‘Nairobi Declaration’ to the Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist Mr. Paul Melly, at the Standard Group Centre along Mombasa road.

Chandaria was accompanied by Mr. Vincent Rapando, the GPFF, Kenya Director of Strategic Partnerships and Mr. Fredrick Rangala, the GPFF Director East Africa.

The seven other resolutions that were reached included Creating the basis for lasting peace, as a fundamental condition for development, by promoting the universal principles and values all cultures aspire to as One Family under God and Strengthen the shared vision and alliances within the African Union to foster enhanced political and economic integration and collaborative peace building measures, along with other regional economic blocs.

There was also a resolution on Promoting character education programs to advance moral and character competency as essential complements to intellectual development and another one on working collaboratively with government, the business sector and civil society entities to promote innovative community-driven development and youth entrepreneurship initiatives.

Promoting interfaith and cross-cultural initiatives that foster understanding and social cohesion based on the common spiritual heritage of all people and supporting grassroots conservation, health and agricultural programs, such as Rivers of Peace, that link service, responsible environmental stewardship, and peace and another resolution.

Finally, the other resolution was Promoting Global Peace Festivals and other regional and local forums as well as sports,cultural and artistic projects as expressions of human solidarity.

In last November’s BPFF convention, President Mwai Kibaki in his official opening speech emphasized that success in search for durable peace requires the concerted efforts of a global coalition involving governments and other bilateral and multi-lateral players.

"As advocated by the Global Peace Festival Foundation, faith based organisations, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and the private sector also have role to play in the noble task of building a peaceful world," Kibaki had noted.

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, the chairman of the GPFF had on his part noted Kenya’s Ministries of Education and Higher Education, we well as Brand Keny, had partnered with GPFF to build a successful character education programmes by launching a nationwide character competency initiative.

"He in Kenya, the office of the President has coordinated an inter-ministry working group to support this Convention as well as GPFF’s on-going programmes that will benefit the youth of this nation long after this event concludes," Moon had further noted.

Apart from Dr. Chandaria, the Nairobi GPFF convention was by Anglican Arch-Bishop DR. Eliud Wabukala, Sir James Mancham and David L.Caprana