Berkley Center

Catholic peacebuilding efforts in Africa face three related cross-cutting challenges: under-utilization and insufficient awareness of the Church's unique potential to promote peace and reconciliation; the lack of pertinent information on the underlying causes of such problems; and insufficient coordination of the Church's initiatives for peace and reconciliation. Previous meetings have identified a specific need to promote synergy through closer collaboration between universities, research centers, Justice and Peace Commissions, and various levels of Caritas active in Africa. 

Held in Entebbe, Uganda, the Africa Institute on Peace and Justice Studies Program brought together five dozen attendees from 15 countries across Africa, Europe, and North America as part of an effort to invigorate the growing field of justice and peace studies in African universities. Berkley Center Senior Fellow David Hollenbach, S.J., offered the keynote address.

The conference was hosted by Uganda Martyrs University with support from the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University; the Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar; Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations; Centre for Social Justice and Ethics, Catholic University of Eastern Africa; Catholic Peacebuilding Network; Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame; International Federation of Catholic Universities; Catholic Relief Services; Institut fur Theologie und Frieden; Misereor; and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego.

SCHEDULE

November 7

Opening Program | Rev. Prof. Maximiano Ngabriano and Rev. Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri, Uganda Martyrs University

Session 1: Institute Background and The African Context and Opportunities and Challenges for a Peacebuilding Response by Universities and CSOs | Dr. Elias Omondi Opongo, S.J., Hekima College 

Session 2: Remarks | Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Gulu Diocese, Chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference 

Session 3: Existing Peace and Justice Studies Programs: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned
Dr. Kifle Wansamo, S.J., Hekima College
Rev. Dr. Prof. Lievin Engbanda Lingonge, Cardinal Martino Panafrican Institute, Catholic University of Congo
Dr. Denis Musinguzi, Uganda Martyrs University
Dr. Claude-Ernest Kiamba, Catholic University of Central Africa
Rev. Dr. Gaston Ogui Cossi, Catholic University of West Africa/University Unit of Abidjan  

Session 4: Four Moderated Workshops 

• Workshop 1: Academic Resources​ | Mr. Simson Mwale, Zambia Catholic University 
• Workshop 2: Financial and Human Resources | Rev. Dr. Matthew Pagan, Catholic University of South Sudan 
• Workshop 3: Pedagogy and Curriculum | Dr. Aloysius Malagala, Gulu University  
• Workshop 4: Open Interest Group for French Speakers | Dr. Jean-Francois Rioux, St. Paul University 

Host's Mass

November 8

Mass (in French)

Opening Prayer | Mr. Richard A. Kakeeto, Catholic University of Eastern Africa 

Session 5: Mainstreaming Peace Studies: Integrating Minors and Majors, Stand-Alone Programs, and Integration Across the Curriculum
Dr. George A. Lopez, University of Notre Dame
Mr. Richard A. Kakeeto, Catholic University of Eastern Africa 

Session 6: Four Moderated Workshops

• Workshop 1 : Institutional Integration ​
  Ms. Loes Lijnders, Catholic University of South Sudan 
• Workshop 2: Community Outreach
  Ms. Rita Mazzocchi, Tangaza University 
• Workshop 3: Enrollment and Student Recruitment
  Prof. Paul-Robain Namegabe, Catholic Univerity of Bukavu 
• Workshop 4: Open Interest Group for French Speakers
  Dr. Moda Dieng, St. Paul University 

Session 7, Keynote Address: Catholic Social Teaching and Peace: Nonviolence, Justice, and Reconciliation | Dr. David Hollenbach, S.J., Georgetown University 

Session 8: Team Plan Preparation

November 9

Opening Prayer | Rev. Deogratias Maruhukiro, Africa Network for Peace, Reconciliation, and Sustainable Development

Session 9: Team Plan Presentations: Prospects and Problems 

Session 10: Resource Mobilization for Peace Studies Programs
Rev. Dr. Peter Gichure, Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Msgr. Joseph Gwamuhanya, Catholic University of Bukavu 

Session 11: Networking and Collaboration

• Panel 1: Networking and Collaboration Between Universities ​
  Dr. Genevieve Mwayuli, Catholic University of Eastern Africa
  Prof. Luc Pasquier, International Federation of Catholic Universities 
• Panel 2: University Collaboration with the Church
  Rev. Prof. Maximiano Ngbariano, Uganda Martyrs University
  Sr. Dr. Elizabeth Nduku, Catholic University of Eastern Africa 

Session 12: Action Planning and Way Forward: Discussion and Conference Evaluation
Dr. Elias Omondi, S.J., Hekima College
Dr. William Headley, C.S.Sp., University of San Diego
Rev. Dr. Patrick Thawale, Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Mass (in English)