Kurgat Cornelius
New Member
- KCr.
- 1.00
Culture of Peace
The main reason for conflict and civil wars in Africa is the desire to acquire power and secure resources for one group, tribe, or ethnicity at the expense of others. The issue of identity has mixed with culture, heritage, and the control of economic resources to create political tension and violence. In all cases, violence has led to the breakdown of social order, and societies at large, and the tragic loss of human lives. Consequently, Infrastructure has been destroyed, education and health services have suffered, and the environment has been damaged. Wars and conflicts are consuming the scarce resources which could rather be utilized to improve education, health services, social protection, and infrastructure needed for development. It is therefore that the link between peace and development cannot be denied. In an important sense, peace is not just the absence of violence, but also the presence of social solidarity. In order to re-establish social solidarity in war-affected communities, a key step would be to find a way for members of these communities to revisit the cultural logic that emphasizes solidarity, sharing, and equitable resource distribution. This, in effect, means emphasizing the importance of reviving progressive cultural attitudes and values that can foster an environment within which peace can flourish. However, issues like women and youth inclusion need to be addressed in the cultural approach, considering the gender and generational biases that are inherent in prevailing social structures.
An integral part of achieving sustainable peace is promoting social solidarity. In an important sense, peace is not just the absence of violence, but also the presence of social solidarity. In order to re-establish social solidarity in war-affected communities, a key step would be to find a way for members of these communities to revisit the cultural logic that emphasizes solidarity, sharing, and equitable resource distribution. This, in effect, means emphasizing the importance of reviving progressive cultural attitudes and values that can foster an environment within which peace can flourish. However, issues like women and youth inclusion need to be addressed in the cultural approach, considering the gender and generational biases that are inherent in prevailing social structures.
We need to combine present notions of inclusivity and participatory decision making with
progressive local norms and principles to create formulas that distinctively suits social norms of African communities with the aim to ensure the human dignity and inclusion of all members of society, including minority groups, women and youth.
There is a need to reinforce the role that culture can play in enabling communities to resolve their disputes and to strengthen the ties that bind them together. African traditional cultures could help shape a collective sense of peace, justice and solidarity that are needed to stem conflicts and build peaceful societies. The promotion of peaceful culture among societies can facilitate the regional and global cooperation necessary to address cross broader challenges to human security and well-being. Building on this, African-cultural narratives, norms and practices could enhance and strengthen social norms and attitudes against wars and violence while it can also be integrated into institutional and legislative structures.
From One Generation to the Next
Africa is the fastest-growing continent in terms of population. It is expected to increase by roughly 50% over the next 18 years, growing from 1.2 billion people today to over 1.8 billion in 2035. In fact, Africa will account for nearly half of global population growth over the next two decades. At the same time, the share of working-age individuals relative to the non-working-age population is increasing, which is good news for the economy. This can be translated into increased productive capacity and can help to boost economic growth. In typical African traditions, young people do not need to worry about future jobs because the community creates vocational training for the younger generations.
This value was naturally practiced as youths serve as apprentices in their families’ businesses. Reinforcing this tradition with the necessary financial and non-financial resources including proper vocational training, science and technology, and promotion of Small and Medium Enterprise, will partially address the questions of unemployment as well as internal migration in the continent.
The main reason for conflict and civil wars in Africa is the desire to acquire power and secure resources for one group, tribe, or ethnicity at the expense of others. The issue of identity has mixed with culture, heritage, and the control of economic resources to create political tension and violence. In all cases, violence has led to the breakdown of social order, and societies at large, and the tragic loss of human lives. Consequently, Infrastructure has been destroyed, education and health services have suffered, and the environment has been damaged. Wars and conflicts are consuming the scarce resources which could rather be utilized to improve education, health services, social protection, and infrastructure needed for development. It is therefore that the link between peace and development cannot be denied. In an important sense, peace is not just the absence of violence, but also the presence of social solidarity. In order to re-establish social solidarity in war-affected communities, a key step would be to find a way for members of these communities to revisit the cultural logic that emphasizes solidarity, sharing, and equitable resource distribution. This, in effect, means emphasizing the importance of reviving progressive cultural attitudes and values that can foster an environment within which peace can flourish. However, issues like women and youth inclusion need to be addressed in the cultural approach, considering the gender and generational biases that are inherent in prevailing social structures.
An integral part of achieving sustainable peace is promoting social solidarity. In an important sense, peace is not just the absence of violence, but also the presence of social solidarity. In order to re-establish social solidarity in war-affected communities, a key step would be to find a way for members of these communities to revisit the cultural logic that emphasizes solidarity, sharing, and equitable resource distribution. This, in effect, means emphasizing the importance of reviving progressive cultural attitudes and values that can foster an environment within which peace can flourish. However, issues like women and youth inclusion need to be addressed in the cultural approach, considering the gender and generational biases that are inherent in prevailing social structures.
We need to combine present notions of inclusivity and participatory decision making with
progressive local norms and principles to create formulas that distinctively suits social norms of African communities with the aim to ensure the human dignity and inclusion of all members of society, including minority groups, women and youth.
There is a need to reinforce the role that culture can play in enabling communities to resolve their disputes and to strengthen the ties that bind them together. African traditional cultures could help shape a collective sense of peace, justice and solidarity that are needed to stem conflicts and build peaceful societies. The promotion of peaceful culture among societies can facilitate the regional and global cooperation necessary to address cross broader challenges to human security and well-being. Building on this, African-cultural narratives, norms and practices could enhance and strengthen social norms and attitudes against wars and violence while it can also be integrated into institutional and legislative structures.
From One Generation to the Next
Africa is the fastest-growing continent in terms of population. It is expected to increase by roughly 50% over the next 18 years, growing from 1.2 billion people today to over 1.8 billion in 2035. In fact, Africa will account for nearly half of global population growth over the next two decades. At the same time, the share of working-age individuals relative to the non-working-age population is increasing, which is good news for the economy. This can be translated into increased productive capacity and can help to boost economic growth. In typical African traditions, young people do not need to worry about future jobs because the community creates vocational training for the younger generations.
This value was naturally practiced as youths serve as apprentices in their families’ businesses. Reinforcing this tradition with the necessary financial and non-financial resources including proper vocational training, science and technology, and promotion of Small and Medium Enterprise, will partially address the questions of unemployment as well as internal migration in the continent.
