Action Plan - Peace Conference Resolutions 1/27/2008

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.