I'd like to meet:
"...they were forced to lie spread-eagled on the ground while their limbs and other parts of their bodies were hacked off...
How can we begin to explain, let alone justify such acts? They made all our fine speeches about peace and humanity seem inadequate, even futile."
KOFI ANNAN
Frm Sec. Gen. UNMOTIVATION
After having witnessed some of the awful events that usually accompany mismanaged conflicts, the task of redoubling our efforts in promoting the values of tolerance, co-existence, justice and peace in Africa became more imperative.
Establishment of the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Accra, Ghana in 1996 was in response to that obligation.VISIONOur aspiration is for a Centre that functions as part of a decentralized network of institutions and organizations which together constitute a real "Peoples University of peace" in Africa. The centre, in collaboration with others, is to provide meaningful professional, practical and relevant education in peace and conflict resolution work from a non governmental perspective with special emphasis on the role of civil society.MISSION
The mission of the Centre is to promote peace and sustainable development in Africa by contributing to the strengthening of local capacities for handling internal conflict in constructive, creative and cooperative ways.GOALS
Major goals of the Centre are:
To promote cultures of prevention;
To identify underlying causes and manifestation of violent conflict, insecurity and political instability and advise alternative policy options for addressing urgent peace issues;
To function as a regional centre for early warning and preventive diplomacy;
To building linkages with influential personalities, organization and institutions to strengthen advocacy and help build vibrant peace constituencies;
To establish standards of good practice for the development of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights;
To contribute to the growth of free, just, humane and open African societies.ACTIVITIES
To realize these goals, the Centre:
Provides a conductive venue for addressing critical national and regional peace related issues;
Organizes courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, roundtables, consultations and other collaborative programmes on topics related to conflict management and peace building.
Designs and promotes peace education programmes in schools and colleges;
Maintains a reference library on disarmament, security, human rights, development, peace and other related matters;
Provides reliable and timely information as well as honest and insightful comment on issues related to violent conflicts and regional security.
Provides negotiation and other facilitation services on request;
Supports national poverty reduction programmes;
Publishes a quarterly journal "The Bridge" on matters related to conflict, peace and development.SPECIAL INTERESTS
The Centre focuses attention on the following areas of interest:
Psychological and social roots of violence;
Causes and changing nature of war;
Cultures of peace and cultures of war;
West Africa regional security;
Control of small arms and light weapon proliferation;
African women's peace movements;
Fundamental principles of democracy, good governance and social justice;;
Social re-integration of ex-fighters;
Media in peace and war.STATUS
The Centre is an autonomous, non-profit making, non-governmental organization whose activities and views are completely independent of any public or private body.
Certificate of Incorporation: No. G824
Certificate of Recognition: No. DSW 868.FUNDING
The Centre derives its income from fee-paying clients of its programmes, projects, publications and other services as well as through fund raising activities and from the support of local and international donors who appreciate the work of the centre and of its independent status.Banker: Metropolitan and Allied Bank (GH) Ltd.
Accra, Ghana.ORGANISATION
Advisory council: Distinguished international personalities with credible backgrounds in academic, professional, human rights and conflict resolution work and who can easily gain the respect, trust and confidence of governments and disputing parties are requested from time to time, to serve on an honorary Advisory Council to advise and assist the centre to achieve its objectives and implement its strategies effectively.Governing Board: An international board of governors of not less than five and not more than nine persons determines policies and supervises matters related to fund-raising and expenditures.Core Staff : The centre is headed by an Executive Director supported by a core interdisciplinary staff, which is concerned with policy implementation, planning, programmes and administration. The Executive Director is responsible to the board of Governors for effective management of the affairs of the centre.Resource Personnel: Resource Personnel consists of persons with relevant academic, professional and technical background as well as of individuals with peace keeping, peace making and peace building experience assigned from national and governmental sources on the part time basis to research, develop and deliver courses, seminars and other programmes.Secretariat: The centre has its Secretariat in Accra, Ghana. The location and the contact address are detailed below.PLEDGE
Our sacred pledge is to work and pray and struggle together in the spirit of truth and justice until we make every sword a plowshare and every spear a pruning hook.ADDRESS
Executive Director
Centre for Conflict Resolution (CENCOR)
Harmony House
6 Adamafio Link
South Legon - AccraP. O. Box LG 33
Legon, Accra
Tel :( 233-21)767405
Fax :( 233-21)767405
E-mail:[email protected] or [email protected]
