GPP in the Great Lakes Region: MoU Enables Expansion of ICAR Genocide Prevention
On February 23, 2011, ICAR and George Mason University (GMU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on Genocide Prevention in the region. The agreement with ICGLR was signed by GMU Provost Peter Stearns and ICAR Director Andrea Bartoli. Members of the ICAR Community are encouraged to participate and operationalize what the MoU offers in terms of research and practice, and to take advantage of such a regional focus to expand their expertise while contributing to the region and field of Conflict Analysis and Resolution. In the near future, more information will be made available though the office of the Program of Genocide Prevention at ICAR on how faculty, students and other members of the community can make this contribution and support the work of ICLGR in the region.
The memorandum highlights various areas of collaboration including: the development of joint initiatives for early and proper warning of genocide and mass atrocities, as well as strengthening resilience and peaceful coexistence in communities and states in the region; the implementation of appropriate mechanisms and capacity building programs for Members of the Genocide Prevention Committee to be able to engage state and non-state actors within member states in efforts to prevent genocide in the region; the conduct of research to generate and exchange information, create awareness among local and international actors, and to inform program design and implementation to prevent genocide and mass atrocities against humanity.
The ICLGR Committee on the Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity was endorsed on December 11-15, 2010, during a Special Presidential Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia. ICGRL organized the summit, which also addressed the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the region. Ashad Sentongo (ICAR PhD Candidate) represented ICAR’s Genocide Prevention Program. The committee has 11 members representing 11 states of the region including Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Angola, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo and The Central African Republic.
ICAR's Genocide Prevention Program (GPP) works through state officials to engage governments on genocide prevention. GPP’s collaboration with ICGLR to form a regional committee in the Great Lakes region is a significant milestone in the history of the genocide prevention field; particularly in a region where genocide and other mass atrocities have occurred, and instability continues at state and communal levels in many parts areas. The committee was established during a conference held in Kampala, Uganda September 22-23, 2010, and elected the Chairman Ambassador Balthazar Habonimana (Burundi), Vice-chairman Mrs Emily Chweya (Kenya) and the Rapporteur Mr. Lucien Yaliki (Central African Republic). ■