Tangaza College students display their SCCRR Graduation Certificates with Fr. Steven Payne (Principal of College) and Fr. Patrick Devine, their lecturer.
By Mary Keoch
Students at Tangaza College (Catholic University of Eastern Africa, CUEA) preparing for assignment in Africa, undertook a four month course on Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, taught by Fr. Patrick Devine, executive chairman of the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation. The students were able to receive insightful knowledge and skills on various topics like these:
- Paradigms of Conflict Theory
- The Church and Conflict Resolution
- Religion and Conflict Dynamics
- Causes and Justifications of Conflict
- Gender and Conflict Management
- Conflict Transformation Perspectives
- The Conflict Cycle and Reconciliation
- Negotiation and Mediation Methodologies
The students not only learned new concepts but were provided with the much-needed analytical skills, peace-building techniques and negotiation dynamics to enable them to become competent in empowering local communities to transform situations of violence to peace. With this training, the students – who come from various parts of the world – are equipped with expertise that can be put into practice in their various inter-ethnic conflict situations.
To crown it all, each student received a graduation certificate from Shalom. A tremendous potential is sent forth. This was the sixth class to graduate from this course. As we offer our congratulations to them, we look forward to working with them in their mission for peace and reconciliation among those who need our help.
