Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Jammeh Foundation for Peace to be 'World Class Peace Institute'


NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA (MB)- quotations by the lead consultant who presented a paper on Education for Peace: challenges and opportunities for Curriculum Development, Professor David J Francis from the Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, United Kingdom said:
- “ Since wars begin in the minds of men (and women) that the defenses of peace must be constructed”. UNESCO preamble.
- “If you don’t want war, prepare for peace”. (Si vis pacem, para bellum) Vegetus.
- “Education is simply peace building by another name”. Kofi Annan
- “Poverty, under development and fragile states create fertile conditions for violent conflict and the emergence of new security threats, including international crimes and terrorism. There will be no lasting security without development and no effective development without security and stability”.
(G8 Africa Action Plan 2005:4)

Dr. Saja Taal of the University of The Gambia (UTG), also presented a paper, and admitted that The Gambia is a peaceful country in the world, but was quick to say that "silence does not mean peace," adding that everyone love peace as far as it does not affect their interest. 
These were subjects of three days discussion at the Paradise Suite Hotel from the 23rd – 25th February 2011, in Banjul and the forum was organised by the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital (JFPH) in collaboration with the University of The Gambia (UTG) and the University of Bradford. 
In collaboration with JFP, the UTG will come up with a practical curriculum with degree in peace and conflict studies, connecting teaching with research and interpreneurship, words of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JFPH, Hon Nancy Njie.
CEO Njie said the workshop is geared towards the eventual transformation of JFP into a 'World Class Peace Institute' in the service of humanity adding that the principle objective of JFP is to provide a substantial and sustainable assistance to every less fortunate person in The Gambia and beyond by caring for them and sharing with them the resources of (JFPH). 
She is of the conviction that no person can be in peace when she/he is ignorant, unhealthy or hungry. Therefore, she said, that is one of the principal reason why JFPH’s operations are centred on five cardinal pillars of our economy, namely education, health, agriculture, women and youth enterprise and research and development. 
According to her, JFPH can boost of having immensely and positively contributed to peace building and maintenance in the country by caring and sharing with many less fortunate persons in The Gambia and beyond. 

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