Traditional Actors Affirm Commitment to CNS Member Charter in Belfast

October 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday, October 10, 2022, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers was invited to attend the Congress of Nations and States (CNS) first inaugural Assembly in Belfast, Northern Ireland. CNS is an international, independent, and permanent forum created to bring together peoples, nations, and state governments to discuss pressing issues.

As part of the Assembly, the Network first offered a consultation on the role of traditional actors in atrocity prevention with the traditional members of CNS. The consultation opened with special remarks from the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Ndeiru, and then a welcome and overview of the consultative process to date from Executive Director of the Network, Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi.

Special remarks from the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Ndeiru.

Professor Abu-Nimer’s presentation focused on seven principles of dialogue in efforts to resolve conflict.

Dr. Elsanousi explained that CNS and the Network had partnered over the last year on several initiatives, including with CNS Member Fadjar Schouten-Korwa. Hear more from Fadjar’s interview here.

The consultation focused on asking CNS members what they think their role is in atrocity prevention, as well as the best practices and tools that they use to address such work. The Network also asked about what necessary resources, gaps, or challenges traditional actors are facing in atrocity prevention. 

The following day, Network Member, the Salam Institute for Peace and Justice, led by Professor Mohamed Abu-Nimer, gave training on how CNS members can utilize interfaith dialogue within their communities to resolve conflict.

Professor Abu-Nimer’s presentation focused on seven principles of dialogue in efforts to resolve conflict:

  1. Create a safe space
  2. Agree that the purpose is learning
  3. Use appropriate communication skills
  4. Surface what is hidden
  5. Focus on the relationship
  6. Stay through the hard places
  7. Be willing to be changed by the situation

The Network was pleased to have also joined the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Christina Black, as she welcomed and opened the start of the Assembly. The Network looks forward to continuing to engage CNS in the development of its Charter mandate.