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Alternatives to Violence Project
International GatheringReportThe 2008 Alternative to Violence Programme (AVP) International Gathering was held in Kakamega (Western part of Kenya) from the 14th to 20th September. The overall goal of the AVP International Gathering was to promote conflict resolution in the African continent through the sharing of skills of non-violence and good human relationships. The following specific objectives were all met.
a) Sharing skills, knowledge and best practices between diverse AVP facilitators enabling all individuals to be more effective in their work.
b) Increase the sustainability of AVP in addressing problems of violence.
c) Broadening of AVP in its reach within the wider peace building community.
d) Develop the structural capacity of AVPI as a global resource centre for training and development of peace builders.One hundred and fifteen (115) participants arrived at the venue on Sunday 14 and a total of 24 countries were represented namely:
Angola India United States Australia
Ireland Uganda Burundi Kenya Nepal Brazil Namibia Zimbabwe Britain New Zealand Canada Nigeria Costa Rica Russia DRC Congo Rwanda Guatemala South Africa Hong Kong Sudan The gathering was officially opened on Monday 15, by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Western province of Kenya. He emphasized the Kenyan Government’s commitment to non violent means of conflict resolution and stressed that the gathering was taking place at an opportune time just when Kenya was in need of healing after the country was plunged into violence after the disputed December 2007 elections. The gathering would therefore contribute to national healing.
The gathering proceedings were structured in plenary, workshops/interest groups and home groups. Participants gathered in the plenary every morning and every evening after dinner. A number of workshops/interest groups were conducted through out the period of the gathering.
To download a description of the workshops, please click here.