Skrevet av Emilie Hognestad Sennels, Murumba Heri har blitt intervjuet
Change for Peace and Development (CPD) is an organization in Rwanda working for human rights and gender equality. In partnership with Quaker Service Norway, CPD organized a workshop on 17th and 18th of June with training on conflict management and peace building, and with focus on gender equality. The first day focused on conflict management and peace building, and on the second day the focus was on gender equality. CPD arranged games and exercises for the participants to understand how to manage conflicts and they participated in open discussions to share their ideas and experiences regarding conflict management and gender equality. They also planned to have a workshop on 20th and 21st of august.
We asked the coordinator of CPD, Murumba Heri questions about CPD and the workshop.
Fotograf: Zihalirwa Jonas.
1. What is Change for Peace and Development (CPD) and what do you work with?
CPD is an organization working for human rights. Many people, and especially young people, have no right to express what they feel and who they really are. CPD intend to help the youth to understand how important it is to respect their rights as well as the rights of their neighbours. Gender is a big and serious issue in our society, and therefore we focus on gender equality and try to eliminate conflicts based on gender differences. We work to build peace among people of different genders and thus attain sustainable development.
2. How did the workshop go?
The workshop went well and was wonderful.
3. How many participants attended the workshop?
30 participants, two trainers and the coordinator for CPD attended both days.
4. What was the feedback from the participants?
The participants liked the training and they said it was a wonderful short time of training. They said they would love to participate in the next workshop with their parents so that the parents could understand them. They also thought the time was short and that they would like the next workshop to be for four or five days.
5. What was the goal for the workshop?
This project grew out of a concern for the new generation in Rwanda. Those who were born after 1995 are the first generation after the genocide, where internal violence rocked the entire country. This generation has not yet been offered opportunities to understand the process of building a peaceful life, both personally and for their country. This can change. CPD wants to initiate vibrant workshops where youth will learn about peacebuilding and gender equality. If the youth grow up practicing skills of peace and reconciliation, this culture of peace will be passed to the wider community. This will prevent acts of hate and give Rwandans a chance for a more peaceful community.
Fotograf: Zihalirwa Jonas.