I.8. Africa, the Future Land of Peace
Just like the Renaissance and the Eve of Reformation in Europe, Africa is at the
Eve of her peace, greatness and economic emancipation. A new awareness is
now sweeping through the whole world that portends good omen for Africa. With
the end of the Cold War between the United States of America and the USSR,
one can be optimistic that peace instead of war will now be visited upon Africa.
The curses and woes of independence that had plagued African nations in the
last 60 years are now lifting and are now weakening. With the passing away of
the generations of the old politicians who inherited powers directly from the
colonialists but lost it to military dictators because of inadequate preparations,
stifled opportunities, tribalism instead of national world view, and lack of global
visions for development beyond personal aggrandizements, the future looks
bright for Africa.
a. Rationale
Atola, a Yoruba word, means nearly the same thing as the title of Myles Horton’s
and Paulo Freire’s book, We Make the Road by Walking: Conversations on
Education and Social Change. And late Dr. Tai Sholarin, a Nigerian renowned
educationist, asked this question during a television discourse on provision of
free education in Nigeria “How can you improve on what you do not have”? It is
very important that Africa gets peace first, and then she can improve on it. From
historical perspectives, Africa has not had peace in the right sense of it. The
rationale for this course therefore is to seek peace, pursue and internalize it.
b. Aim
The aim of this course is to encourage, on a progressive and systematic basis,
the cultivation of new lifestyle that can promote both positive and negative peace
in Africa. As could be seen, the focal point around which all the courses in this
curriculum rallied is, “Africa, the Future Land of Peace.” It would be naive to
think that education alone can bring peace; however, an education designed and
developed around peace as its theme can contribute to the promotion of peace.
Having undergone this training, the African Student of Peace shall be able to
identify the various causes of conflict and violence in Africa and contribute
positively to its avoidance, prevention, reduction, eradication and the healing of
the trauma and wounds of violence that plague and forestall future peace.
c. Objectives
The objectives of this course include
- Identifying and consolidating the new African constituency who will spend
their time and energy to promote the African future land of peace. The Africans
of the 20th centuries spent their energies winning independence for Africa;
Africans of the new millennium should spend their energies to consolidate liberty
for Africa.
- With a concerted effort and harnessing of resources, Africans can now
stand up for the liberation an reformation of Africa, economically, politically,
socially, and religiously.
- Developing a new geo-political Africa where the focus shall not be for cold
war but for economic development and advancement
- Riding the tide of the time for peace. The Zeitgeist (spirit of the moment) is
that young Africans want to live a life of peace. This should be ethos that should
influence the policies of all African government. No sweat no sweet, by providing
hope through full employment; African youths will spill their sweat for sweet, and
not their blood.
- The goodwill of democracy should be spread abroad Africa. Every African
country should embrace and work out their kinds of democracy.
- Encourage Africans in Diaspora to assist in promoting Africa, the Future
Land of Peace. Nowadays, several Africans are in forced and involuntary
Diaspora. They have been scattered abroad as a result of violence and
economic hard-ship in their own countries. These Africans are professionals:
lawyers, doctors, educators, and students in institutions of higher education.
They can make their impact if proper sensitized to the need of Africa in the new
millennium.
d. Audience
Since this is a seminar type of course, all students of the Peace Academy will
participate in it. Colloquiums, forums, workshops will be organized. Members of
the grassroots peace and love clubs from the grassroots communities, churches,
mosques, and educational institutions will be in attendance.
e. Teaching Approach
The teaching approach shall major be discussions. Special guests will be invited
from the communities, leaders, men and women of God, security agents,
government official, educators, etc.
f. Learning Resources
Learning resources will include books, relevant journals, personal experience,
current affairs, international reports, etc.
1. James M. Washington (Ed.). (1991). A Testament of Hope - The Essential
Writings and Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. New York: HarperCollins.
2. Deryke Belshaw, Robert Calderisi, Chris Sugden. (2001). Faith in
Development - Partnership between the World Bank and the Churches of Africa.
USA: Regnum.
3. Kofi Buenor Hadjor. (1987). On Transforming Africa: Discourse with Africa's
Leaders. New York: Africa World Press.
4. Martin Meredith. (2005). The Fate of Africa: From the Hopes of Freedom to
the Heart of Despair. New York: BBS Public Affairs.
5. Robert Calderisi. (2006). Why Foreign Aid Isn't Working: The Trouble with
Africa. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
6. Robert Guest. (2004). The Shackled Continent: Power, Corruption, and
African Lives. New York: Smithsonian Books.
7. Donald E. Miller, Scott Holland, Lon Fendall, and Dean Johnson (Editors).
(2007). Seeking Peace in Africa: Stories from African Peacemakers.
Pennsylvania: Cascadia Publishing House.
8. Adekey Adebajo & Ismail Rashid (2004). West Africa's Security Challenges:
Building Peace in A Troubled Region. London: Lynne Rienner Publisher.
9. Adeola, F., Amoako, K. Y., & Baker, N. K. (2005a). The need for peace and
security. Retrieved March 15, 2009 from http://www.iss.co.
za/af/RegOrg/unity_to_union/pdfs/ukcommission/Blair/12chap5.pdf
10. Adeola, F., Amoako, K. Y., & Baker, N. K. (2005b). Our common interest-
report of the commission for Africa. Pp157f. Retrieved February 20, 2009, from
http://www.cfr.org/ publication/8292/ our_common_interest.html.
11. Patrick Chabal, Ulf Engel, Anna-Maria Gentili. (2005). Is Violence Inevitable in
Africa? The Netherlands: Kononklijke Brill NV.
12. AfricaFocus Articles