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IPI and URI Africa celebrate peace day, present Peace Award

The United Religions Initiative of Africa and Interfaith Peace-building Initiative, a URI CC in Ethiopia, organized very colourfully the United Nations International Day of Peace in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia on September 21, 2011. The event was attended by over 1000 participants from different walks of life like youth associations, Scouts members, Religious leaders, Women Association, the Trade Union, Teachers Associations, Writers Association, Elders Council, Government Officials, Diplomatic Communities, Ministry of Defence, Children's, Mothers, Artists, Higher Learning Institutions, NGOs, etc were presented. The event was held at the Ethiopian National Conference Center. There were over 35 different media (local, regional and international) and it was well covered by all houses of media. (Click here for a news article) The event was organized for the 9th time in Addis Ababa by IPI and URI Africa.

On the day of the celebration the message of H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of United Nations was read, opening remarks was made by Mussie Hailu, Regional Director of URI Africa and Board Chairman of Interfaith Peace-building Initiative, Peace Message was also delivered by the representatives of youth Association, Women Association, Scouts Movement, Teachers Association, Trade Union Association. The Golden Rule poster was given to all the participants and it was also recited during the event from the 13 different religions. There was peace song by children and also peace poem.

On the occasion the 2011 URI Africa and IPI Africa Peace Award of the Year presented to

1) Ethiopian Defense Force in appreciation and acknowledgement for the outstanding, very successful and exemplary Peace Keeping Mission in Liberia, Rwanda, Burundi and Darfur.

2) United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in appreciation and acknowledgement of the outstanding work of ECA since establishment in 1958 in promoting the economic, social development, Trade and Infrastructure, Good Governance and Popular Participation, Science and Technology Development of its member States, Promoting Regional Integration in support of the African Union vision and priorities and strengthening and supporting the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development for its efforts to eradicate poverty, placing African countries on the path of growth and sustainable development, reversing the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process, and accelerating the empowerment of women and contribution in the area of advocacy and consensus building, including developing common positions to give the Continent a stronger voice in global forums.

3) H.E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, in appreciation and acknowledgement for setting an example as the first Africa's elected female head of state and for her outstanding contribution in making peace and stability in Liberia, negotiating the cancellation of nearly 80% of Liberia's foreign debt accrued by the past corrupt government; for allowing press freedom and freedom of speech; building of new infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals; rebuilding and relocating the new University of Liberia campus; expansion of the financial system with increased number of banks from 3 to 8 in four years including Liberia's first solely microfinance bank; increased the number of young girls enrolled in school; established the Liberia Market Women Development Fund; crafted Liberia's first Poverty Reduction Strategy with benchmarks for rapid economic development and expansion; got Liberia first Anti-Rae Law passed; establish Liberia's first Anti-Corruption Commission

The United Religions Initiative Africa Region and Interfaith Peace-building Initiative established the Africa Peace Award to recognize the committed, effective leadership that is currently being exercised to bring sustainable peace in the continent. The Africa Peace Award celebrates, acknowledges and honors the accomplishments of individuals or organization who have exhibited extraordinary leadership to build a culture of peace, reconciliation and harmony. The Award helps to create role models of peace-builders throughout Africa.

Purpose of the Africa Peace Award

The Africa Peace Award is a non-monetary award that honors distinguished African individuals or organizations who have exhibited exceptional leadership in bringing about peace, reconciliation, solidarity, and the alleviation of poverty, preservation of the environment, and promoting interfaith harmony and co-existence.

The Africa Peace Award focuses on individuals or organizations whose leadership and policies reflect courage, initiative, and creativity in a wide variety of areas that help to create peace and a better future for all.

The Africa Peace Award acknowledges and honors the recipients' outstanding contribution to the general well-being of the people of Africa and the world at large. In addition, the Africa Peace Award seeks to generate heightened awareness within the world community of the many African leaders who are making the difficult decisions and taking the necessary actions to resolve the pressing political and social issues facing the continent. The Award recognizes that leadership is exercised at every level and sector of society and thus the Africa Peace Award seeks to recognize recipients from all walks of life.

Ultimately, the Africa Peace Award is intended to engender a greater appreciation and support for the effective and dynamic leadership associated with building a culture of peace and interfaith harmony in Africa on a sustainable basis.

The Award is generally given annually.

Past Recipients of the Africa Peace Award

S. E. Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi

In acknowledgment of his outstanding contribution to building a culture of peace, developing a national policy of good governance, and strengthening democratic culture and justice in Burundi.

H.E. Mr. Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique

and

H.E. Mr. Joquim Chissano, Former President of Mozambique

and

H.E. Mr. Alfonso Dhjakama, President of RENAMO Party

In recognition of their profound action in signing, maintaining and honoring the peace accord which was signed 15 years ago in Rome to bring peace in Mozambique.

H.E. Mr. Girma Woldegiorgis, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

In recognition of the outstanding efforts of Ethiopia geared toward fighting desertification by planting around 760 million trees across Ethiopia.

The Acholi Religious Leaders Initiative of Northern Uganda

In recognition of their outstanding efforts to reconcile the LRA group with the government and for their mediation role.

National Unity and Reconciliation Commission of Rwanda (NURC), In recognition of the commission outstanding work in promoting peace, unity, harmony, healing, and reconciliation and for opening a new chapter of peaceful coexistence in Rwanda since 1994.

H.E. Blaise Compaore, President of Burkina Faso

In recognition of his exemplary and inspirational leadership in bringing development, democracy, political stability, and peace in Burkina Faso and for his outstanding contribution to promoting regional integration and making peace in West Africa, especially in mediating the Inter-Togolese Dialogue and brokering the peace agreement in Cote d` Ivoire.

The Elders Council of Ethiopia

For their outstanding peace and reconciliation effort in Ethiopia

Professor Hizkias Assefa

For his outstanding contribution and effort in peace negotiation and resolving conflict in different part of Africa and teaching peace studies

UNESCO

In acknowledging UNESCO outstanding effort in promoting culture of peace and international co-operation among its 193 Member States and six Associate Members in the fields of education, science, culture and communication since its establishment in 1945.

Missionaries of Charity, a humanitarian organization established by the late Noble Peace Prize Laureate Mother Teresa

For humanitarian service

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

For his outstanding contribution toward making peace, reconciliation, work to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa

Rotary

In appreciation and acknowledgment of the outstanding voluntary service in working together across borders and cultures locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education, promote peace, world understanding, goodwill and eradicate polio under the motto of Service above Self.

Mr. Jeremy Gilley

For his outstanding contribution in promoting the culture of peace and tireless efforts to create an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace, fixed in the global calendar on 21st September which we also celebrate every year.

African Union

In appreciation and acknowledgment for its efforts towards the implementation of the continental integration agenda and the consolidation of peace and security on the continent, for its initiatives for the settlement of existing conflicts and the consolidation of restored peace, pursuing conflict prevention efforts, combating terrorism, disarmament related issues, protecting civilians within the context of peace operations, and its continued efforts aimed at strengthening early warning systems, democratic institutions, good governance and human rights in Africa, and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples

May Peace and the Golden Rule Prevail on Earth