Press release
United States backs peace advocacy in Casamance schools
ZIGUINCHOR, August 3, 2006 -- Peace advocacy will become a
major subject of discussion and action in and around schools in Senegal’s
southern Casamance region thanks to a new 18-month, $250,000 program funded by
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The activity was announced to journalists in Ziguinchor on August 3 during
a press conference with U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, Janice L. Jacobs. She is currently
on her first visit to the Casamance region after arriving in the country in April.
The goal of the program, which will continue through December 2007, is to strengthen
the peace advocacy and peace building capabilities of educational authorities,
secondary school principals, teachers, students, and communities in the districts
of Sédhiou in the Kolda region and Oussouye and Bignona in the Ziguinchor
region. The Casamance region has experienced sporadic fighting between government
and separatist forces for over two decades.
Individuals and groups will be schooled in behaviors and attitudes favoring
dialogue and non-violence. The point is to promote a peace-oriented culture in
the various communities.
This USAID program, which will work primarily with young people in and out
of secondary schools, but also in conjunction with teachers, principals, parents,
and community members, has the goal to expose the youth to peace education.
The primary purpose of this program, which is being implemented by USAID’s
partner, World Education, is to provide teachers and students with training that
directly focuses on peace building and enhances the peace process in the Casamance.
The first stage of the program is directed at the schools and therefore the teachers.
A master trainer will conduct instruct school teacher, who in turn will train
their students. This process of developing expertise amongst the teachers will
ensure long-term sustainability of the curriculum.
The secondary purpose of the program is to reach deeply into community spaces
and institutions, therefore, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) will play a
major role. They will assist with the creation of community peace management committees
(CPMC) consisting of the principal, the teachers and student leaders who were
trained, PTA representatives, and local elders/leaders, locally elected officials,
and group leaders.
Having been trained in the peace building materials, students and teachers
will then apply those skills by working with the CPMC to implement micro-projects.
These projects can be targeted at either the school or at the community.
USAID is also currently working to build negotiation capacity of all key stakeholders
in the conflict. PADCO, Inc. is the implementing partner for this activity.
Since 2000, USAID has contributed to stabilizing the Casamance region under
a $15 million program. USAID works with the Senegalese government, the local population,
village-based associations, and NGOs in activities designed to give people hope
and reasons to opt for peace. USAID's private sector, agriculture, natural resources
management, local governance, health and education programs also actively intervene
in areas of the Casamance.
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