A NewsLetter of JOHN PAUL II JUSTICE AND PEACE CENTRE
May August 08. No. 4
A News Letter of JOHN PAUL II JUSTICE AND PEACE ENTRE:- Consortium founded by : Missionaries of Africa, Mill Hill, Comboni, Holy Cross and Jesuits, at the service of the Catholic Church and all the people of God in Uganda.
Cordial greetings from JPIIJPC to you all who believe that another world is possible.
Trainings based on the Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
In the endeavor for a just, reconciled and developed society within a sustainable environment in Uganda, John Paul II Justice and Peace Center (JPIIJPC) embarked on strengthening the capacity of parents (families) and educators in the nineteen Catholic Dio/ Archdioceses of Uganda.
" …the theme I … consider particularly important : the human family a community of peace…the primary place of humanization for persons and society and a cradle of life and love… in a healthy family life we experience some of the fundamental elements of peace, justice and love ..the family is the first and indispensable teacher of peace….Where can young people gradually learn to savour the genuine taste of peace better than in the original nest which nature prepares for them?" (Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the World Day of Peace January1, 08).
One to two days seminars/workshops are conducted for couples. The venues chosen are the Catholic Parishes but people of different faiths including leaders of the Local council (LC) are also invited. The participants are required to share the knowledge, skills and experience acquired with families in their respective communities through sensitization meetings and concrete practices like tree planting, strengthening Justice and peace activities in the local community. They are also encouraged to become role models within their families and in the neighborhood. Among the participants, catechists and others who have influential roles in society are formed to become Trainers for trainees (TOTS) as this program targets the couples and catechists because they are the first educators of moral values in the communities. The project therefore, seeks to strengthen the ethical values and foster commitment in at least 40 couples and some catechists in each parish to effectively promote justice, peace, sustainable development and care for the environment in families.
ObjectivesThe participants are enabled to:
- Reflect on the history of Uganda and the remarkable episodes of war, instability, poverty, HIV /AIDS impasse in relation to the future of the next generations.
- Reflect on their relationships as family members and their role as models for children in the building of a just, peaceful, developed, reconciled and environment friendly home.
- Evaluate their rights and duties as members of the community and become protagonists in the building of Uganda.
- Strengthen skills for peace building, for promoting sustainable human growth ,just ways of living and care for mother earth within the families.
- To stimulate and inculcate the spirit of justice and peace among families to spearhead society transformation, through the CST.
- To educate couples on their rights and duties as members of the civil society and in raising their children for a better Uganda/world
- To educate families on the dignity and the irreplaceable role of every one, particularly of women/girl child in society.
- To educate families on the Gospel values to overcome domestic violence, poverty, human rights abuse and violence in general.
Expected outcome
- Sustainable peace in families due to effective management of family conflicts and reduced domestic violence
- Available training manual/guide for TOTs on justice, sustainable development and peace building in families and society.
- More motivated and committed parents in promoting human development and responsible leadership-governance.
- More just and reconciled society where integrity prevails.
- Sustainable care for the environment
- Respect and care for women/girl child rights.
Anticipated Impact- The family as the community of peace and growth, will ensure a peaceful and responsible neighborhood, village, school, clan, tribe, region, nation, indeed the whole world
- Conflicts and challenges being part of life, will become a learning experience to have meaningful and responsible living
- Well behaved children and youth of integrity due to good parental care and example.
- Political, social and economic concern for the family members
- Harmonious communities
- Environment and development sustainability which will curb some of the calamities like hunger, poverty and global warming.
It is intriguing that many families live in abject poverty. "The advancement of the poor constitutes a great opportunity for the moral, cultural and even economic growth of all humanity" ( Pope John Paul II, On the Human Person).
Trainings/Workshops carried out
25
34
28
58
55
77
68
57
63
66
36
25
172
158
112
162
98Teboke Parish- Lira
Namugongo SPC-Kampala
Nkozi Parish-Kampala
Lweza-Kampala
Lukome -Gulu
St. Mauritz -Gulu
Aboke- Lira
Lira Cathedra
Orungo-Soroti
Kyalhumba -Kasese
Kasanga-Kasese
Katwe-Kasese
Hima-Kasese
Nsenyi-Kasese
Ngola Parish-Soroti
Aloi -Lira
Ibanda-Kasese
Lwala- Soroti
Peace Negotiations in Northern Uganda
The peace code between the government and the Lords Resistance Army is turning out to be illusive.
Multiparty politics: Political parties are facing big challenges as the ruling party is not yet giving total freedom of organizing rallies or campaigning.Human Rights: Corruption in the public sector manifested in the embezzlement of huge sums of public funds and incessant human rights abuse have become the order of the day. There is fear that as the nations gets close to the forthcoming political elections due in 2011, the situation may become more tense. ( For more information on human rights abuse see Houndation for Human Rights website: www.fhri.or.ug.)
A wave of violence and unrest in primary and secondary schools has left more than thirty eight schools burnt in the period of three month.
Seeta High School on Kampala-Jinja RoadThe extent of violence and destruction of property is a clear sign of how much our society has deteriorated in values, sense of responsibility and worst of how the young members lack role models of peace. The violence we are witnessing daily in the society leaves no room for devising strategies for enhancing peaceful coexistence. What are the causes to this violence?
JP2JPC contemplate the following among other causes:
i. The traumatic experiences of violence that mark the various situations in the country starting from the families
ii. Lack of models for leadership and good governance. Students could be imitating what the adults including their parents do.
iii. Lack of moral and value/ethical formation.
iv. Focus on academic excellence at the detriment of moral, social and spiritual needs. Emphasis is laid on subjects that do not inculcate values, life skills and a sense of responsibility in students. An exam-oriented curriculum considers those who have failed exams failures in life.
v. Lack of parental guidance and control. In many families, particularly in the urban areas, the contact hours between children and their parents are few as many parents are busy chasing money and they hardly find time to dialogue with their children.
vi. Lack of sensitivity towards the common good and lack of integrity.
vii. Fear and uncertainty of employment in the future.
viii. Drug and substance abuse
ix. The media, which continually highlight problems and violence without giving alternatives.
x. Extreme poverty (with some extremely rich) leads also to violence."Despite the great advances made in science and technology, each day we see how much suffering there is in the world on account of different kinds of poverty, both material and spiritual" (Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love, 30).
What is the way Forward? This is an urgent question and JPIIJPC hopes to meet it
- empowering teachers and providing them with manuals for ethical education,
- by establishing and forming peace clubs in the schools.
- Empowering parents and other educators through sessions and manuals for ethical formation.
- Promoting human cultural-human values through drama, music and publications.
1. JPIIJPC Participates in the Workshops/meetings organized by Trocaire.
" May 13-15, 08 workshop on Environmental Justice; Effects of Climate on the Poor. Focus was laid on: The indicators of climate change - Crop failure and famine, Raising food prices, Increased incidence of diseases such as malaria, dihorea, Cyclones, Depleted soils, Global warming, Temperature raise, Heavy winds, Hailstorms, floods, Raising sea levels, Increased desertification etc. Gender and climate change
" Who is responsible for climate change?
Individuals, Failure in policy implementation, Capitalist ideology, Human activities e.g. agriculture production, industrial development , Organizations, Governments
What we can do?
- Advocate for a policy on climate change
- Generate issues and evidence for advocacy
- More networking on issues of climate change .
- Integrate climate change in organization program
- Develop an action plan for implementation of activities on Climate Change.
For details on climate change visit http://www.open2.net/climatechange/index.html
2.May 23, 08 meeting with other organisations under the Coalition against the Use of Child soldiers. Children continue are traumatized when recruited or abducted to the military at a tender It is the responsibility of the entire society to advocate for the rights of children and to care for those who have returned from the battle fields in northern Uganda.
3. July 29, 08 one day meeting with the Uganda Cocas of the Centre for Reconciliation Duke University - USA. Reconciliation is seen as a irreplaceable vehicle in peace building. For practical examples see Bishop Taban's peace village in Sudan at www.kuronvillage.net
5 . Social -Economic Justice workshop with Trocaire August 25-30 , 08. The main objectives were to review progress, recount the challenges and sharpen skills of tracking progress in the service towards the vulnerable and marginalised member of society.
CURRICULUM AND TEXT BOOKS
JPIIJPC is preparing, in collaboration with the Minister for Education, Curriculum and text books manuals to help secondary and primary schools Teachers to strengthen the ethical education among the youth.
We want to integrate the Cultural and Christian values as well as the national and international codes of behaviour.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. New JPIIJPC email address:- jp2justice@sat.signis.net
2. The research on The Kampala Basic Needs Basket in the Six informal Settlements is on sell at Ugsh. 3000
3. Calendar highlighting issues that impinge on justice, peace and intergrity of creation for 2009, published by JPIIJPC is on sale Ugsh.3000
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Upcoming Events
* Open Forum : Topic:
"Responsible Leadership and good Governance". Due: September 27, 08
Speaker: Dr.Francis Bissaso
Venue: Ggaba international Seminary* Launch of "The Kampala Basic Needs Basket " research, in Sept 08.Date to be fixed.
* Trainings in September:
13th, Little sisters of St. Francis- Jinja,
15th -20th, The J.P. groups of Gulu
23th-26th ,for Religious, Priests, lay leaders, in Moroto.
