Africa University- Our commitment to “Silencing the Guns”
Africa University has a rich history on the continent of Africa serving as a conduit for peace through partners such as UN Women, OSISA, the Swedish Embassy in Zimbabwe and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute to explore means through which conflict can be resolved, human rights protected and youth empowerment achieved. The University’s commitment to Agenda 2063 is unquestionable and conflict resolution is one of the integral pillars through which the path towards realizing this empowerment agenda will be realized.
Africa University as well as many other organizations across the world have identified women and youth as the two groups who are most impacted negatively by conflict and yet, are the most dangerously underrepresented in negotiations and the navigation of the peace process. It is in acknowledging and accepting this most unfortunate truth that strategies and methodologies used to mitigate conflict can be re-formulated to be more inclusive and encourage lasting peace and stable foundations upon with nations can build and grow out of the destruction and chaos that conflict brings.
Through its Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance, Africa University has made powerful contributions to securing peace in the Southern African region and beyond through bringing together women from diverse sectors of the society from national leadership level, community activists and those who have been victims of conflict to reimagine their positions in nation building and the peace process.
With regards to youth participation, Africa University is training ethically grounded, socially aware and compassionate young leaders for the continent, thereby empowering the young to take up the mantle left by the brave fore fathers and mothers of Africa who dreamt of a continent with limitless potential. The University’s student body that hails from over 31 African nations is the embodiment of the unity and Ubuntu that occasions such as Africa Day celebrate and hold so dear.
We envision an Africa that does not see religion, race, gender or tribe and acknowledges the power of the collective. We are creating an Africa that is bound by a common sense of purpose and unbridled ambition to position Africa as the strategic powerhouse that it is on the global stage. We are the future of Africa, and know that attaining lasting peace on the continent will require all the peoples of Africa, men and women, young and old.
Africa University is playing its part in “Silencing the Guns” through providing impactful, contextually relevant and powerful education that is embedded within the ethos of Pan- Africanism and embracing the incredible cultures, mores, traditions, languages and nations of our incredible continent. It is through teaching our young leaders to see in other Africans brothers and sisters, to shed preconceived and often misinformed notions of “otherness” and the trove of experience and information that can be gained through cooperation , dialogue and togetherness that we are transforming our continent for the better.