By Godfrey Okoth MA, Shalom-SCCRR Senior Project Officer.
The international fraternity of the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) is deeply saddened by the passing on of Honorable Colin Powell, the 65th United States Secretary of State.
Shalom-SCCRR acknowledges General Powell’s commitment to global life service to peace and development, a devotion that earned him various accolades, including the International Caring Award.
When our own Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, Shalom-SCCRR’s international chairman, was the recipient of the International Caring Award in 2013, succeeding His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Colin Powell graced the occasion as the guest of honor at the events in Washington D.C and Maryland.
While congratulating Fr. Patrick, he gave tremendous encouragement and acknowledgment of Shalom-SCCRR peacebuilding methodology, mainly its focus on addressing the underlying causes of manifest violence and structural marginalization, as distinct from just dealing with the symptoms. While Secretary Powell recognized the importance of peacekeeping interventions by states in ending hostilities, he noted the equal importance of the multilateral interventions needed to transform the root causes of conflict thus produce sustainable peace and reconciliation. He acknowledged the centrality of Shalom-SCCRR’s approach in transforming all forms of manifest and structural violence in the quest for sustainable peace and prosperity.
Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, in concurrence with Powell, remarked that conflict has a memory that is resilient, robust, and anchored in culture. Consequently, attainment of positive peace calls for holistic empowerment of the People at the grassroots with conflict transformation analytical skills and peacebuilding techniques, enabling them to be the architects of their interdependent future of mutual security and coexistence. Shalom-SCCRR is most grateful to Secretary Colin Powell for his inspirational support and presence at the award ceremony.
Shalom-SCCRR deeply condoles with Colin’s family, loved ones, and the people of the United States of America on the passing on of this iconic figure whose immense contribution to the security and prosperity of humanity shall remain treasured by many generations to come.
May almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace, Amen.
Follow the link below to read the message from The Shalom Center of Africa (SCOA):
https://lnkd.in/dwS-BQPu
Shalom-SCCRR Brochure/International Caring Award Ceremony:
