50 th Anniversary of Mater et Magistra

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1 50 th Anniversary of Mater et Magistra Sharing Experiences and Lessons Learned From the AJPWG Rome, 18 May 2011

2 Background to Peacebuilding Programming Events of the late 80s and 90s Rwanda Burundi Liberia Sierra Leone And also in Europe

3 Moments of Reflection Is doing good, good enough? Why did we not foresee and take or support some pre-emptive actions when? What did we miss in our understanding of the contexts in which we worked and how did we miss that? Is doing good relief and development work good enough?

4 Back to Basics A search for answers in Catholic Social Teaching Thorough reflections across the CRS World on the Social Teachings of the Church Distilled 8 Principles Underscored our reflections at Tampa in 2000

5 Guiding Principles from CST 1. Human Dignity 2. Rights and responsibility 3. Social Nature of the human person 4. Solidarity 5. Subsidiarity 6. Preferential Option for the Poor 7. Common Good 8. Stewardship

6 Sent Forth From Tampa Gave us a New Vision A 10 Year Strategy with peacebuilding and governance programming founded on the Social Teachings of the Church being major pillars of what we do. Mandated constant search for ways to incorporate PB and Governance in all programs (Agriculture, Health, Water, Education, etc..) through critical and continued context analysis

7 CRS VISION STATEMENT Solidarity will transform the world to: Cherish and uphold the sacredness and dignity of every person Commit to and practice peace, justice and reconciliation Celebrate and protect the integrity of all creation

8 Modus Operandi Continued to work largely through: Regional Offices and Country Programs as coordinating and implementing units, respectively Greater emphasis on working closely with local church Peacebuilding and governance programs remained localized affairs

9 Birth of the AJPWG AJPWG formed in Jan 2006 as a loose group Share ideas and resources Coordinate interventions such as training and other capacity building initiatives across regions

10 Doing Good Was Not Good Enough Some conflict areas required greater attention and more concerted efforts (Sudan) Some conflicts go beyond borders with multi-facets and theatres of action The Lesser Great Lakes Region (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda) The Greater GLR = + Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, etc.) Decision to institutionalize AJPWG

11 Our Mandate Enhance CRS engagement with the church and other actors at regional and continental levels in peacebuilding and governance initiatives. Special Focus for Support efforts in Sudan to contribute to peaceful transition (elections 2010, referendum 2011) Promote peacebuilding and reconciliation in Countries of the Great Lakes Region of Africa, with emphasis on Burundi, the DRC, and Rwanda 11

12 CRS PB Principles CRS peacebuilding interventions: Respond to the root causes of violent conflicts Are based on long-term commitments. Use comprehensive approaches that focus on the local community while strategically engaging the middle-range and top levels of leadership.

13 CRS PB Principles Promote right relationships through integrated programming. Build upon indigenous non-violent approaches to conflict transformation and reconciliation Require an in-depth and participatory analysis. Are driven by community-defined needs and involve as many stakeholders as possible.

14 CRS PB Principles Are carried out through partners from the local Church and other organizations representing the diversity of where we work and with whom we share common values. Strategically include advocacy at local, national and global levels to transform unjust structures and systems.

15 CRS PB Principles Strengthen and contribute to a vibrant civil society that promotes peace. Reps of International Actors And Local Civil Society Actors

16 The Pillars of Our Actions Social Cohesion: by working for increased internal harmony, cooperation and peaceful coexistence within and between divided communities or societies

17 The Pillars of Our Actions Equity: Working to ensure fair and just management and distribution of public services and collective goods in social, economic and political institutions for the common good Church Action: Working with the church to leverage its extensive network of structures, as well as, her theological and spiritual foundations to serve as a force for peace in Africa

18 What We Did and Are Doing Supported Peace Education through JPCs Using Radio, Market places, Communities, etc.. Supported voter education for elections and the referendum Supported SCC and SEF to engage Government to promote South-South dialogue Sponsored Church Leaders Forum in March 2010 Supported organization of Kejiko II in September 2010 Supporting discreet talks in local conflicts to relieve tensions 18

19 What We Did/Are We Doing 2 Supported Advocacy and solidarity visits Sudanese Bishops to the US and Europe USCCB visit to Sudan AMECEA and SECAM visit to Sudan in November 2010 Supported church presence and participation in monitoring of referendum in January 2011

20 What We Did/re We Doing 3 Emergency Preparedness initiatives in place Worked with the church in the north for the referendum and post referendum Working through SEF to place important church concerns into the ongoing post referendum talks being mediated by the AU (Thabo Mbeki) Supporting SCBC to have and to express an informed opinion on constitution review and/or making process 20

21 VISIT TO GREAT LAKES REGION OF CENTRAL AFRICA JUNE/JULY 2010 TO MEET WITH A BROAD RANGE OF PEOPLE Church Leaders State Functionaries People in Communities Reps of International Actors Reps of Pol. Parties Civil Society Actors

22 Burundi: The Context Progress towards peace is at risk because of: Impasse over communal elections and boycott of presidential elections High levels of unemployment among youth, especially excombatants Intransigence of government and opposition parties towards negotiated settlement of disputes over elections President Pierre Nkurunziza acknowledged important role of the church in the relatively peaceful elections in

23 Exploring Opportunities for Building Bridges 23

24 Some progress has been made towards consolidation of current levels of peace State penetration and control over parts of country still limited Presence and operations of rebel fighters in the east continues to pose threats to human security DRC 24

25 DRC Cont d Recourse to use of violence or threats of violence in resolving disputes still rampant Pent up feelings about the war in the east persists due to the perceived: Impunity of those who penetrated violence against civilians Inability of people to bring closure to their loss due to ban on mourning the dead 25

26 DRC Cont d Fears of possible meddling with presidential term limits of the constitution could generate internal dissent. Slow but sturdy economic progress High levels of unemployment, especially among the youth threatens Meeting with members of Justice and Peace Commission in the DRC 26

27 RWANDA Memories of History Remain 27

28 Church Leads Reconciliation Church is a force that government recognizes, Her initiatives have contributed to reconciliation efforts at the community level 28

29 CRS at CPN-GLR Conference We weren t there just to listen, we contribute funding and shared in the facilitation

30 And Share Ideas Too AT Highest Level Ken Hackett (CRS President) with Bishop Ricard (USCCB) Tom with Bishop Skylstad (CRS Board Member)

31 Outcomes of Interventions Focus Area 1: Sudan Relatively peaceful elections 2010 and Referendum 2011 Focusing now on Post Referendum Initiatives Supporting Church with engagement in development of transitional and permanent constitution

32 Outcomes of Interventions Focus Area 2: GREAT LAKES REGION Recommendations provided guidance for programming at Diocesan, Country, Regional, and cross-frontier levels. CRS Regional Strategy focusing on multi-country interventions and synergy with Church s finalized Church in Great Lakes Region held conference in October 2010 Now finalizing strategy for implementation

33 BUT, DOING GOOD IS STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH Looking Beyond the GLR and Sudan

34 Engaging the Church at Regional and Continental Levels Support for Synod Processes in Central, East, and Southern Africa, before, during, and after the Synod, working with ACEAC - ACERAC AMECEA IMBISA Technical Support for SECAM and CARITAS on MAPUTO Consultations IPA 2010 Sessions on post-synod Reflections 34

35 Working with SECAM Participation at SECAM s Plenary Assembly Accompanying SECAM and AMECEA on Solidarity Visit to SCBC Hippolyt and Clement Tizaa of CRS Ghana at the Opening of the Plenary Hippolyt with Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, President of SECAM at Rumbek, Southern Sudan, during Solidarity Visit to SCBC

36 Connecting to the Global Peacebuilding Building Local Capacity for Peace Annual IPA Training Sessions Collaborating with Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Pax Christi International AJPWG members meeting with H.E Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson in Maputo to discuss collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace 24 May

37 With the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace CRS supported the Caritas In Veritate workshop in Accra, directly and in liaising with the USCCB

38 Local Attention: Keeping Eyes on Nigeria The AJPWG has engaged CRS and partners in Nigeria to explore opportunities for programming on: Issues of violence involving Christians & Muslim groups in the north. Strengthening programs that support transparency in the management of oil revenue 38

39 Keeping Our Eyes On Other Countries Zimbabwe Engaged with the Church there to find ways to support reconciliation and peacebuilding Kenya working with the church to support peacebuilding Guinea engaged with CRS to support peaceful elections Elections coming up in 2011 and 2012 Nigeria, Ghana Liberia DRC Others 39

40 Building Capacity for Peace: Institute for Peacebuilding In Africa (IPA) Its organized yearly in English and French 2011 Training will hade a Portuguese session Offers opportunity to Provide knowledge and skills in Peacebuilding Reflect on topical issues of conflict and peacebuilding related to the church John Katunga of the AJPWG facilitating a Session during the 2010 Anglophone Workshop in Abedare, Kenya 40

41 IPA 2010 Brought together Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Workers of the Church and CRS in Africa to: Acquire knowledge and skills in peacebuilding Deliberate on how to implement the outcomes of the Special Synod of Bishops on Africa Archbishop Peter Kairo of Nyeri Archdiocese Opening the 2010 Anglophone Workshop in Abedare, Kenya 41

42 IPA 2010: From Far and Near, They Came Msgr. JOSE CAMNATE, Guinea Bissau Mgrs Servilien NZAKAMWITA, Rwanda

43 IPA SENEGAL IPA KENYA Msgr Etienne Ung'Eyowun (DRC) stresses his point even during coffee break Left: Bishop Alexio M Muchambaiwa, ArchBishop Jean Baptiste Odama, Sr. Paulina, and Archbishop Tlali Lerotholi

44 What have we learned in 17 Months? 1. Thorough context analysis and a clear plan is essential 2. Simultaneous Engagement at multiple levels is key 3. Don t be afraid to engage with governments or government actors; just keep your head clear 4. Having access to untied funds is key for independent, timely, and customized actions 5. Dare to hope and believe that peace is possible.

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46 Membership Name Position/Location Contact John Katunga RTA, Peacebuilding EARO John Baptiste Talla Tom Bamat Aaron Chassy RTA, PB, Solidarity, Partnerships, CARO STA, Peacebuilding, Baltimore STA, Governance, Baltimore Amy Erickson RTA, Peacebuilding EARO Hippolyt Pul (29) Coordinator, AJPWG 46