KADCOM, CSOs Call for Inclusion of Peace Education in New Budget
From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Kaduna Peace Commission and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including Aid Foundation, African Media Development Foundation (AMDF), and LEGASI, have called for the inclusion of peace education in the new budget lines of the Ministry of Education. This, they believe, is central to building a peaceful and stable future.
The CSOs made this call in a communique issued at the end of a one-day conference held in Kaduna with the theme “Strengthening Coordination of Peace Interventions in Kaduna.” The communique was jointly signed by Emmanuel Bonet, Executive Director of AID Foundation; Sekyen Dadik, Executive Director of AMDF; Kaltumi Abdullazeez, Executive Director of LEGASI; and Hannatu Ahuwan, Executive Director of LEADS.
The communique emphasized the need for new budget lines in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to deal with issues of conflict management and peace-building. These MDAs include the Ministry of Agriculture, Human Services and Social Development, Internal Security and Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Health, with a specific focus on psycho-social support and counseling.
The CSOs also called for a coordinated framework to ensure quality service delivery in the justice system and advancing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems with the Budget and Planning Commission, Ministry of Justice, and the Judiciary.
They also advocated for new budget lines in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to boost the operational capacity of traditional leaders in promoting peace in their communities.
Furthermore, the communique emphasized the need for strategic investment in peace building, prioritizing strategic efforts to mobilize skill-sets and expertise from the community to the state level.
It also called for collaboration between government, CSOs, local actors, and all stakeholders to amplify impact and accelerate progress in promoting peace processes.
The CSOs stressed the importance of prioritizing capacity-building initiatives that empower local leaders, mediators, and youths as change agents and peace champions.
They also advocated for development partners to prioritize working with local organizations domiciled in the state for sustainability purposes.
In addition, the communique called for the prioritization of engagement with the private sector, as peace and stability are prerequisites for a thriving business environment.
It also emphasized the need to inculcate climate change action in peace and conflict programming due to its cross-cutting nature.
Finally, the CSOs called for the Kaduna Peace Commission to coordinate the activities of all partners and local initiatives to prevent duplication of efforts.
They emphasized that inclusivity is fundamental in achieving lasting peace and that active and meaningful participation of all stakeholders, including marginalized groups like women, youths, and persons with disabilities, will build trust and commitment towards supporting the process.
A strong coordination of all stakeholders working on these different aspects will support lasting peace.
