USAID/Guinea: ARC Hosts Reconciliation Conference, Provides 'Pathway' For Apprentices

DECEMBER 7, 2006

ARC Hosts Reconciliation Conference, Provides 'Pathway' For Apprentices

A USAID-sponsored program provides young people with apprenticeships and hosts a conference of community leaders examining obstacles to peace and reconciliation in Guinea's war-ravaged Forest Region.

N'ZÉRÉKORÉ - Young men and women whose lives were forever altered by civil unrest in Forest Guinea are regaining a semblance of normalcy through a skills training program funded by USAID/Guinea and implemented by American Refugee Committee (ARC) International.

Meanwhile, representatives of government and civil society organizations concerned with maintaining peace and stability in Forest Guinea recently convened at an ARC-sponsored national conference here to examine obstacles to peace and reconciliation in the region.

Both activities are part of ARC's Pathway (Preventive Activities and Training That Work for At-Risk Youth) program, which is funded by USAID/Guinea. The program trains young men and women in critical life skills, builds community capacity to prevent violence, and provides economic assistance to enable young people to find non-violent livelihoods.

Young apprentices in N'zérékoré learn welding (above) and tailoring (below) through the USAID-funded Pathway program.

In N'zérékoré and the neighboring prefectures of Lola and Yomou, ARC last year established 35 community management committees, each consisting of 10 members, in towns and villages within 50 kilometers of nearby Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire.

Fourteen master trainers and 250 "youth animators" subsequently were trained to deliver anti-violence and reconciliation messages and skills to ARC's target population of 5,000 youths, aged 16 to 35, who are considered high risk for participating in future violent conflict.

ARC also makes direct grants and micro-enterprise loans available to youths with approved project proposals.

The reconciliation conference brought together 50 representatives from the region, who participated in discussion groups aimed at identifying the sources of conflict, obstacles to a peaceful coexistence among the diverse population, and methods for promoting a culture of peace, especially among at-risk youth.

"USAID attaches great importance to the involvement of civil society in the process of rebuilding civil peace," Mission Director Jack Winn told attendees at the conference's closing ceremony. "USAID will not spare any effort to support those who are committed to reinforcing the capacity of civil society to prevention and the resolution of conflict."

Conference participants adopted a series of recommendations aimed at each of four audiences in the region.

Local Administrative Authorities should:

Improve the safety of people and property

Familiarize the community with local history

Promote respect for Guinean laws and customs

Make available radio time for broadcast of activity results and key peace messages in Forest Guinea

Donors should:

Widen existing activities

Support community projects that promote peace

Extend the Pathway program to ensure sustainable peace

ARC should:

Encourage dialogue among religious leaders and community groups

Promote peace and mutual acceptance among society

Encourage idea exchanges among ethnic groups, particularly between Guerzé and Malinké

Provide agricultural assistance.

Target youth with messages promoting peace and efforts to reduce unemployment

Increase the number of conflict management committees

Extend the Pathway program to three additional prefectures in Forest Guinea

Civil Society and Local Communities should:

Participate in the efforts of local authorities to safeguard people and property.

Promote mutual understanding among social groups

Engage religious, political and traditional leaders to fight against violence

Increase the quantity and quality of meetings among social groups

Create a dialogue among organizations dedicated to the promotion of peace in Forest Guinea

Strengthen and respect alliance agreements

Encourage the mixed character of religious, youth and women associations

Story and photos by Richard Stirba