“Peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal” Martin Luther King Junior
By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – As part of commemorations of the International Day of Peace 2013, Challenges and threat factors to peace in Somaliland shall be the subject of discussions
The discussions that are jointly hosted by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) at the University of Hargeisa and Human Concern International (HCI) shall be held at the Imperial Hotel in Hargeisa on Saturday, 21 September, 2013
Speaking to Somalilandsun the director of IPCS Mr. Adan H. Ali Ahmed the lead organizer of the discussions said the choice of topic emanated the theme of this year’s International Day for Peace which is “Education for Peace”.
“Hosting discussions on the country’s challenges and threat factors to peace compliments the objectives of The Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies which was established at the University of Hargeisa in February, 2008 with short, medium and long-term aims of disseminating peace and conflict studies knowledge in Somaliland and the wider Horn of Africa” Said Mr. Adan H. Ali Ahmed
In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly, by unanimous vote, adopted Resolution 36/67 establishing the International Day of Peace (IDP) which stated in part, “…to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways.” The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982 on the opening day of the General Assembly and in 2002 the UN General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent annual date for the International Day of Peace.
At the IPCS and HCI marking the 31st anniversary of world day of peace various personalities representing diverse stakeholders in the country have been invited and are expected to liven discussions with their insights and recommendations as pertains to the subject of challenges and threat factors to peace in Somaliland.
Among organizations and prominent personalities slated for presentations include Welcome Remarks Dr. Abdi Hussein Gas, President of University of Hargeisa- to be followed by presentations from
• Human Concern International (HCI)
• Somaliland Ministry Of Interior
• The House of Guurti the Somaliland upper chamber of parliament
• OCVP, the Director, Abdilahi Adowa
• Poets Yusuf Sha’air and Maah
• Traditional and religious leaders
• Civil society/Non-state Actors
• UN/INGO
Closing remarks by the organizers shall be preceded by an open session where participating members of the public shall be given an opportunity to “HAVE THEIR SAY”
“We anticipate fruitful outcome of the discussions that are part of Somaliland’s national commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the International Day for Peace is anticipated to mark its 31st anniversary which is a global activity that inspires individuals and empowers communities to educate for peace and strengthen the culture of peace both within local people and all nations in the world” Said the IPCS Director Mr. Mr. Adan H. Ali Ahmed in conclusion of his discourse on planned activities of the event to be held at imperial Hotel in Hargeisa on Saturday the 21st September 2013.
About the Somaliland Institute for Peace and Conflict studies
