The 19th UPA Campus (University Of Peace In Africa), was held from October 13th to October 27th, 2024, at the Loretto Mary Ward Center in Karen, brought together a dynamic and diverse group of participants from across the African Continent. Organized under the theme of transformative peacebuilding and leadership, the campus sought to equip participants with skills, insights, and strategies necessary to address contemporary African challenges through the lens of peace, security, and sustainable development. The sessions combined practical workshops, influential discussions, and networking opportunities with leaders and organizations committed to peace and development in Africa.
Participants arrived on October 13th, marking the beginning of the campus. On October 14th, the campus kicked off with a session titled "Building the Campus" where a leadership team was established to oversee and coordinate campus activities. Simon Mwalimo who works at the CJPD office (Catholic Justice and Peace Department) in the Catholic Diocese of Malindi was elected as the President, with Benite from Burundi as Deputy. The leadership team also included:
- External/Internal Affairs Team: Mr. Oscar (Burundi) and Sr. Lucy (Archdiocese of Mombasa).
- Entertainment and Energy Coordinators (Griots): Fr. Sylvan (DRC) and Mrs. Catherine (Burkina Faso).
- Advisors (Sages): Fr. Chrysostome (Burundi) and Sr. Clementine (Cameroon).
The team formation fostered a collaborative and structured environment, ensuring that participants were well-supported throughout the campus.
The day continued with an expectation-setting session where participants voiced their goals and aspirations for the campus. Facilitators used this as a guide to tailor the program content, ensuring that it was aligned with the participants' needs. This was followed by an Inner Power session, which allowed participants to introspect on their personal motivations and to prepare mentally and emotionally for the transformative journey ahead.
The campus group participated in an outdoor conference on "Rethinking African Security" at St. Paul’s University, Limuru. The day was packed with thought-provoking talks led by experts from across Africa and beyond. This session addressed the ongoing structural and security challenges on the continent, setting a crucial foundation for discussions on sustainable development and peace.
The first in-depth training segment focused on Non-Violent Communication (NVC), exploring methods to approach conflict with empathy and understanding. Participants were introduced to the OFNR Method (Observation, Feeling, Need, Request), which provided a practical framework for addressing personal and interpersonal conflicts. Exercises included role-playing and case studies that equipped participants with skills to handle conflicts diplomatically.
Building on NVC, the second session delved into Working with Conflict, exploring the DIAPOS model for mediation and Jean Goss’s principles for non-violent evangelical action. Techniques emphasized were aimed at promoting justice-oriented peace and ethical negotiation strategies for a win-win outcome in conflict scenarios.
This segment focused on personal growth, encouraging participants to transition from suffering to conscious, upright action. Guided by theological praxis, it advocated for self-awareness and vertical development, stressing the importance of transcending ego to achieve inner peace and effective leadership.
The final days fostered networking and collaboration with alumni of the UPA Campus and leaders from affiliated peace organizations like Pax Christi, Peace Tree Network, and CIPCRE. Art and culture sessions were included, celebrating diversity as a uniting force in peacebuilding. Participants registered to join the UPABP Pan-African Community of Peace Ambassadors, gaining access to an extended network of peace practitioners.
The graduation ceremony celebrated each participant’s dedication and learning journey. Graduates received certificates and guidelines to further their commitment as Peace Ambassadors. The event marked not only the conclusion of the campus but also the start of each participant’s personal mission to bring about positive change in their communities.
The 19th UPA Campus provided a profound and transformative experience for all participants, equipping them with the tools, vision, and network to be effective peacebuilders. From revisiting Africa’s security blueprint through Agenda 2063 to understanding the theological underpinnings of peace, the campus instilled values of unity, responsibility, and proactive leadership. Through continued collaboration with like-minded organizations, participants are now empowered to drive sustainable peace initiatives across Africa. This experience underscored the immense potential within African youth to reshape the continent's future, fueled by hope, unity, and resilience.