Promoting a culture of peace, conflict management, citizenship, democracy and good governance in Burkina Faso
Slam session on peace issues during the launch of a new project to combat terrorism in Burkina Faso ©UNESCO/ Bamouni Céphas
The UNCCT-UNESCO project falls within the framework of the integrated Assistance for countering Terrorism initiative. It is conducted by the Regional Office of UNESCO in Dakar in collaboration with the United Nations working group against terrorism. It was launched September 26, 2014 in the capital Ouagadougou.
This project aims to promote the culture of peace, conflict management, citizenship, democracy and good governance as well as training and awareness on the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region (Dori and Djibo) and center of Ouagadougou, through the use of ECOWAS reference Manual.
The expected results are:
- The reference manual of the UNESCO ECOWAS for the Culture of Peace is available in local languages;
- Sixty trainers of trainers trained on culture of peace and conflict management, human rights, citizenship and civics, democracy and good governance;
- 50 000 men and women living in the north of Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou and its suburbs are sensitized by the media on culture of peace and the fight against terrorism.
About the project
Funded by the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, this project is run by UNESCO in collaboration with UNCCT- CTITF, the Ministry of National Education and Literacy (MENA) of Burkina Faso, the Burkinabe National Commission for UNESCO, the UN System Agencies, governorates, the National Research Centre for Languages, non-governmental organizations and civil society. This program targets young people, women and those in Ouagadougou north of the country where there may be terrorist sleeper cells due to the influx of Malian refugees. Its implementation and monitoring activities are carried out in collaboration with UNESCO Dakar and the Burkinabe National Commission for UNESCO. Supervision and monitoring missions are regularly organized in the field in Burkina Faso to better realize the project's progress.
Peace education for vulnerable people is essential for sustainable development. Based on the fact that education should aim for full development of the human personality and strengthening of respect for human rights and shall promote understanding, tolerance among all nations and all racial or religious groups, the project will thus prevent the rise of terrorism and extremism in Burkina Faso.
Activities / Deliverables
- The ECOWAS Reference Manuel on education for a culture of peace, human rights, citizenship, democracy and regional integration was translated into the different languages: Tamacheck, Goulmanceman, Songhraï and Fulfulbe, and will be edited in 2000 copies in addition to the versions in Dioula and Moore (500 copies per language).
- Two training of trainer’s workshops were organized. These workshops were attended by locals councilors, central and local government authorities, customary chiefs, leaders of civil society organizations, journalists, and private and community radio presenters.
- Regional communities and one national selection committee have been set up by the Governors of the Central and the Sahel Region in Northern Burkina Faso, in collaboration with Burkina National Commission and UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar.The criteria for selection will be based on the impact, communication, viability and the capacity to reach the maximum of target populations, and will involve various literacy actors (presenters/facilitators/teachers of literacy class, madrasas, and non-formal schooling), journalists/community radio presenters, television, and national and international press.
