2nd EAC Peace and Security Conference to open in Bujumbura Tomorrow Conference seeks to promote conflict prevention and peaceful co-existence EAC Headquarters Arusha, Tanzania, 12 November, 2013: The First Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi His Excellency Bernard Busokoza is expected to officially open the second edition of EAC Peace and Security Conference on 13 November 2013 at the Royal Palace Hotel in Bujumbura. More than 150 delegates from the East African Community (EAC) Partner States have confirmed attendance at the event, according to Ambassador Jean Rigi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs in Burundi. “We are ready to host the meeting and to ensure that the delegates will have very fruitful deliberations,” he said when briefing journalists on the meeting’s preparations earlier today. Amb. Rigi said the conference is the best opportunity to reflect not only on the threats and challenges the region faces, but also the opportunities. “Peace and security is the mother of social development...it creates favourable environment for harmonious living and the economy to grow. We want a stable and prosperous East Africa’’, he added. Dialogue, respect and tolerance, he said, are necessary for the region’s forward march towards an integrated and united East Africa. The theme for this year’s conference is: “Promoting a Culture of Dialogue and Tolerance for Conflict Prevention and Peaceful Co-existence’’. The meeting will be attended by peace and security experts, civil society, religious leaders, Government representatives, Non-governmental organisations, politicians, youth, women, media and Ministries responsible for EAC affairs among others. The participants are expected to generate and exchange knowledge to improve conflict prevention and resolution capacities as well as help define potential future activities for the region. In addition, the conference will assess peace and security challenges facing their region, past experiences, best practices and identify operational steps that can be taken to promote dialogue, tolerance and peaceful co-existence. The Conference was preceded by a, the five-day EAC-GIZ training on conflict sensitive reporting for selected 25 journalists and editors (five from each Partner State) that concluded today. The training focused on genesis of conflicts, hate speech, ethics and journalists in war zones and as victims, gender and inequality, truth in conflict sensitive reporting, challenges and way forward for journalists and photography and images in conflict sensitive reporting, among others. The journalists will also have an opportunity to attend the 2nd EAC Peace and Security Conference. -ENDS- Note to Editors: The Treaty establishing the East African Community stipulates promotion of peace, security and stability within, and good neighbourliness among EAC Partner States (Article 5) as one of its core objectives. The founders of the Community agreed that peace and security are prerequisites to social and economic development and vital to the achievement of the objectives of the Community. The EAC is, therefore, endeavoring to build capacities and to establish policies and instruments for peace keeping, crisis prevention, early warning mechanisms and conflict transformation. ____________________________________ For more information please contact: Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 06:17:35 +0000
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