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NEEDCSI hosts Interfaith Peacebuilding Fellowship for Young People in Nigeria

NEEDCSI Admin

13 Mar 2022

NEEDCSI Hosts Interfaith Fellowship for 35 Young People in Nigeria

New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation, in partnership with Global Interfaith University successfully conducted a 3-Day training for 35 religiously-diverse Participants of The Len and Libby Interfaith Peacebuilding Fellowship Program, from January 19-22, 2022, with the theme: "Faith and Peacebuilding: The Role of Young People". The training was held at the CRUDAN Guest House, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.


Faculty and Resources Persons included Dr. Prince Charles Dickson, Nigeria Country Coordinator, Local Action Fund and Team Lead, The Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative, His Grace Salika Dasa, Temple President, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Jos, Nigeria and Governing Council Member, Global Interfaith University and Mr. Godwin Okoko, Director of Programs, Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency (PBBA).


Topics covered during the 3-Day training were:


  • Young People and Peacebuilding in Nigeria: Challenges, Lessons and Good Practices

  • The Role of Religions in Peacebuilding

  • Stakeholder Engagement: Processes, Challenges and Opportunities for Interfaith Peacebuilding

  • Building Inclusive, Just and Peaceful Communities: The Role of State and State Institutions

One critical issue humanity faces globally today is the rise of religious fundamentalism. Religious fundamentalism is a global religious impulse that seeks to recover and publicly institutionalize aspects of the past that modern life has obscured. Religious fundamentalists take their cues from sacred texts; they maximize the distinction between humanity and religion. Humanity also faces the global challenges like terrorism and militancy. Poverty and religious fundamentalism are intrinsically intertwined with terrorism. Poverty and deprivation is the recruiting ground for terrorists. Religious fundamentalism indoctrinates their minds and accelerates this process. The Len and Libby Interfaith Peacebuilding Fellowship is an annual program, providing intense learning and experience, facilitated by a team of highly skilled and richly experienced facilitators. In an inspiring interfaith environment, participants form a community of practice and together study the art of Interfaith Peacebuilding, nonviolence and compassion in ways that will deepen their leadership potential and expand their capacity to make vital contributions to their community and the world.

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