How can peace lovers in Africa and Germany work together to prevent new wars and end old ones and thus reduce the immense suffering caused by war? How can we in Germany and Africa work together for peace and what can we learn from each other? What can the African diaspora contribute to peace in Africa? Visit in the time from July 19. to 21.
Dongmo Feugap (Guy) is coming to the International PeaceFactory Wanfried on the weekend of 19, 20 and 21 July. He is seeking dialogue on the possibilities of cooperation with Africans living in Germany and all citizens interested in or committed to Africa.
We will organise ZOOM conferences, probably on Friday, 19 July at 7 pm on the work of WBW in Africa and on Sunday, 21 July at 7 pm on the results of the meeting. Link to the ZOOM conferences: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3216854044. Interested parties can come to the Peace Factory from 19 to 21 July to prepare for future cooperation; overnight accommodation is available (information about free places info@internationale-friedensfabrik-wanfried.org or phone/whatsapp 017643773328). On Saturday we are organising an event with Guy at the FriedensFabrik (37281 Wanfried, Bahnhofstr. 15) from 3 pm.
Our three topics: Talk with Guy from Cameroon on the following topics
How can peace lovers in Africa and Germany work together to prevent new wars and end old ones and thus reduce the immense suffering caused by war?
How can we in Germany and Africa work together for peace and what can we learn from each other?
What can the African diaspora contribute to peace in Africa?
Worldbeyondwar is a global movement. Until now, it has focussed on the Anglo-Saxon world. It sees itself as a grassroots peace movement of citizens and promotes their international association. The International PeaceFactory Wanfried is also one of the regional groups of WBW. There are now 13 active country groups in Africa. Six of them have just been founded, including Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, South Sudan and Kenya. The others are Burundi, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Guy gives an overview of war and peace in Africa and its background in the announcement of his visit below. He describes the work of Worldbeyondwar and the aims of his stay in Germany. His text is attached below in English and German.
Also attached are links to videos of the WBW conference for an Africa in peace organised by Guy last year. There is also a video on how to set up country groups.
PROFILE
I am the Africa Organizer for World BEYOND War. I am a school teacher, writer, and peace activist, based in Cameroon. I have worked over 15 years to educate youths for peace and non-violence. My work has put young girls in particular at the heart of crisis resolution and awareness raising on several issues in their communities. I joined WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) in 2014 and founded the first Chapter of World BEYOND War in Africa, in 2020. More about my commitment to peacebuilding.
more:
The Cameroon Chapter of WBW Is Working on Peace Education and Violence Prevention
By Guy Feugap, World BEYOND War, July 8, 2024
Cameroon for a World BEYOND War is the partner of WILPF Cameroon in the implementation of the project “Fostering social cohesion among youth to prevent hate speech and political violence in Cameroon”. The project began in September 2023, aiming at addressing a growing concern for peace and social cohesion in our society. By working closely with youth and local communities, WILPF Cameroon and its local implementing partners including World BEYOND War in the Centre region are committed to creating inclusive and safe spaces where young people can express themselves, participate actively and contribute positively to preserving peace in the political landscape and to the development of their municipality. Young web influencers for peace have been trained and on a daily basis they raise awareness among young people of the dangers of hate speech and promote peace, tolerance, mutual respect and intercultural understanding through social networks.
more: The Cameroon Chapter of WBW Is Working on Peace Education and Violence Prevention - World BEYOND War
Guy:World BEYOND War (WBW) Africa Organizer visit to Germany
19-21 July 2024
Overview of Africa
Africa is a vast continent with diverse countries, some of which are affected by conflicts. These conflicts have resulted in significant humanitarian crises, displacement of people, and loss of lives. Africa has experienced numerous conflicts, both internal and external, over the years. Some of the ongoing conflicts include the civil war in South Sudan, the insurgency by Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighboring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the violence in the Central African Republic, and the armed conflict in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon. Arms transfers and the proliferation of illicit weapons increase these conflicts and prevent consideration of non-violent and peaceful alternatives. Peace is threatened in most African countries because of poor governance, the lack of basic social services, the absence of democracy and inclusive and transparent electoral processes, the absence of political transition, the ever-increasing exacerbation of hatred, etc. The miserable living conditions of most African populations and the lack of opportunities for young people in particular have regularly led to uprisings and protests that are often violently repressed. Nevertheless, protest movements resist, some such as “Fix our country” in Ghana have gone beyond national borders to inspire peace activists across the continent and beyond.
WBW’s vision is ideally grounded in Africa, a continent long plagued by wars that very often do not interest the whole world in the same way as when other parts of the world are concerned. In Africa, wars are generally neglected and only of concern to the world’s major powers for interests other than “ending war”; so, they are often even deliberately maintained.
What we are doing
In Africa, the first WBW chapter was established in November 2020 in Cameroon. In addition to establishing its presence in a country that has already been severely affected by the war, the chapter made it one of its objectives to support emerging chapters and expand the vision of the organisation across the continent. As a result of awareness, coaching and networking, chapters and prospective chapters have emerged in several countries. Since June 1st 2024, the World BEYOND War movement has grown more in the continent. There are 13 active chapters already, 6 of which have just been launched, including Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, South-Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Gambia, South Sudan and Kenya. The others are Burundi, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
These chapters run campaigns in Africa and organise peace education activities. Many volunteers offer to coordinate chapters in their country or city. At regional level, we are coordinating the efforts to build the movement of grassroots activists for peace. In November, we organized the first WBW Africa Peace Conference held under the general theme “Imagine Africa Beyond war”. We could showcase the potential of African chapters to work for peace.
Expectations from the visit to Germany
There is much to do to contribute to peace in Africa. The staff of WBW provides tools, trainings, and resources to empower the chapters and affiliates to organize in their own communities based on what campaigns resonate most with their members, while at the same time organizing towards the long-term goal of war abolition. In Africa, much is actually needed and that is why we want to use the opportunity of visiting the International Peace Factory in Wanfried (Germany, 19-21 July 2024) to meet with the African diaspora and European partners to build synergies for peace. There are projects that need to be considered, given the complex dynamics of peacebuilding in Africa.
Following consultations with the chapters, here are the five most relevant areas where we are looking for German partners’ and diaspora’s support for peace activities in Africa:
1. Support for movement building
We want to empower WBW chapters that work on peacebuilding and conflict resolution, as well as to foster grassroots movements for peace. This initiative is geared toward the WBW Africa annual peace conference, where chapters meet to share their experiences and learn good practices from others.
2. Technical assistance
We need expertise in areas such as mediation, negotiation, conflict prevention and peacekeeping operations that are invaluable in our context. This may include having experts to speak in our conference and provide any form of training or remote support.
3. Financial support
Chapters are facing crucial funding challenges for peacebuilding initiatives. African chapters have project ideas on conflict resolution programs, community development, peace education and support for displaced persons. WBW has capacities and a good system for funds management to coordinate peacebuilding activities on the ground and is looking for funding aligned with its mission.
4. Institutional support and cultural exchange and education
We are looking for ways to strengthen local partnerships with peace structures in order to create a more stable environment conducive to peace. Some initiatives to undertake are to promoting cultural exchange programs and educational opportunities that can foster understanding and reduce prejudices that often lead to conflicts.
5. Humanitarian aid and economic development
In countries with conflicts like DRC, Cameroon, South Sudan, Mali, etc. humanitarian aid is essential to address immediate needs such as food, shelter, psychosocial and medical care. It is also critical to address some of the root causes of conflict, such as poverty and unemployment, for example by training the more vulnerable on income generating activities. These communities need to be stabilized and by providing this kind of support, we will contribute in building social cohesion and reduce tensions.
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