SHALOM-SCCRR, WHO WE ARE; 2022-2023-SYNOPSIS

E-mail: info@shalomconflictcenter.org

Website: www.shalomconflictcenter.org

***Currently, Shalom-SCCRR works in 35 conflict environments suffering persistent killing’s, maiming’s, displacements, and the marginalization and deprivations associated with structural violence.

2022; Shalom-SCCRR Interventions and Outputs

Conflict Transformation & Peacebuilding Results and Achievements 2022

• 125 Conflict transformation and Peacebuilding training workshops for 28 significant Shalom-SCCRR Peace Groups of influential opinion shapers in the urban informal settlement conflict hotspots, marginalized areas of northern Kenya and at the Kenya-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda interface.
• 3,551 Members of Shalom-SCCRR Peace groups empowered with conflict analytical skills for designing and implementation of locally driven and sustained conflict transformation and peacebuilding initiatives.
• 17 training workshops on prevention of Religious Ideological Extremism in 5 project areas located in Nairobi and Mombasa informal settlements/slums in Kenya.
• 105 Shalom-SCCRR trained and supported Community Peace Resource Persons (Group Animators, Community Facilitators and Conflict and Peace Monitors) active in implementing locally established Conflict Monitoring Intervention (CMI) Mechanisms in 28 conflict locations (Kenya-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda Interface, northern Kenya arid-areas, and urban informal settlements/slums) for timely and effective conflict interventions.
• 30 Prevention of Electoral-violence Workshops conducted in conflict hotspot areas – pre-Kenya’s 2022 general elections. Shalom-SCCRR trainers equipped its Peace groups with necessary skills to identify election-related conflict risks and to apply proactive conflict prevention interventions.
• 43% Women active involvement in Shalom-SCCRR local peacebuilding initiatives, a 7% increase compared to 2021 statistics.
• University Elective Course offered by Shalom-SCCRR at Tangaza University College, Constituent College of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa; ‘Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation’, attended by Students of Theology and Islamic Studies from Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Schools/ Educational Development Projects Achievements/ Peace Dividends 2022

• 52 School/Educational Development Projects completed, emerging from Conflict Transformation interventions.
• 14,500 Pupils and Students benefiting from Shalom-SCCRR funded projects: Classrooms, Accommodation facilities, Solar lighting systems, Gender sanitary items, Books, Desks, School Water systems, Science Laboratory Equipment etc.
• 18,096 Pupils and Students benefiting from Shalom-SCCRR Peace Education Syllabus implemented in primary and secondary Schools located in violent conflict zones.
• 49 Shalom-SCCRR established and supported SHALOM Peace Clubs, implementing conflict transformation activities in areas affected by interethnic conflicts/religious ideological extremism and marginalization.
• Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) for Addressing Violence Against Women and Children Offering Education/ Training on Peacebuilding techniques, Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation and, Holistic Livelihood Resilience Capacities.

Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) Addressing Violence against Women and Children Achievements 2022

• 760 Women from informal urban settlements (slums) Empowered with analytical skills and Peacebuilding techniques, for Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation.
• Shalom-SCCRR Empowerment Center (SEC) participants predominantly come from the informal urban settlements (slums) located around Nairobi (Riruta; Waithaka; Dagoretti; Kibera; Mathare; Kariobangi; Korogocho; Kangemi; Kawangware; and Huruma), as well as in marginalized conflict regions in the semi-arid terrains where Kenya interfaces with Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda https://shalomconflictcenter.org/
• 1,628 Women in acute conflict situations in Slums Empowered with Holistic Livelihood Resilience Capacity in 86 Training Workshops. Visit: https://maryandjosephlifecenter.org/

Your solidarity and ongoing support to this work is having great results in terms of sustainable peace and development.  We are all interconnected and interdependent in our concern for human life, dignity and rights. Shalom will professionally deliver for those in need, and for you. Of every $1 donated, 94% goes directly into peace and development projects — true lasting value to tens of thousands of people in less fortunate communities going forward.  This funding is immeasurably appreciated by all concerned and affected.

Please see information and contact details on; www.shalomconflictcenter.org

Click here to find Shalom-SCCRR Chairman’s Report on Progress and Achievements in 2022.

(Contact us also at; olivernoonan@shalomconflictcenter.org / pdevine@shalomconflictcenter.org)

OVERVIEW ABSTRACT:

Our principal mission is to transform the underlying root causes of manifest violent conflict and marginalization, as distinct from just dealing with the symptoms. The primary task of Shalom (SCCRR) is the identification of the underlying causes of conflict and marginalization through the thorough application of empirical research and methodological rigor. This objective is significantly manifested not only in our methodology, findings and interventions, but in the quality of our board, management, staff and partner institutions-collaborators in Africa and around the world (see below). On this basis, we empower people in conflict environments to be the architects of their own interdependent future of reconciled coexistence. Significant aspects of this process also pertain to strategic interventions to counter and transform negative radicalization, particularly variables underpinning religious ideological extremism.

We work at the grassroots level, simultaneously partnering with people and organizations to accomplish persistent life-changing peace and sustainable development. We are a highly qualified international team of peace and development practitioners, men and women of different faiths, from within and outside Africa, with a life-long commitment to conflict transformation and development.  Shalom-SCCRR operates as a strictly non-sectarian and inter-religious organization, believing that successful peacebuilding and sustainable development requires the interdependent involvement of people from all backgrounds. We provide advocacy and conceptual support for the ‘Great Green Wall Project in Africa’, aimed at preventing the spread of the Sahara Desert and its conflict related dimensions.  Shalom give specific attention to elucidating the role of environmental conditions on conflict and a marginalization in Africa and beyond.

Our background:

Shalom was created in 2009 in the wake of widespread violence and dislocation across Kenya in the aftermath of its disputed elections. The organization was founded by Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, a missionary and social entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience transforming conflict and poverty to peace and livelihood resilience in Africa. Since 2009, we have had quality evidential transformative impacts on sustainable peace and development initiatives in African inter-ethnic conflict environments.  The organization has empowered to a very high standard the transformation capacity of over 24,644 influential community opinion shapers with analytical skills on the causes and persistence of conflict, and the best current peacebuildingtechniques (in 2022 there were 3,551 empowered, of whom 43% are Women). These leaders are comprised of chiefs, village elders, women and religious leaders, government functionaries, youth and other political-economy influential opinion shapers.

Through our school projects todate, we have been involved in building, upgrading and expanding 607 interethnic and interreligious schools projects (more than 280 institutions supported); provided up-to-date learning materials to more than 175,000 Pupils/Students; produced a Peace Syllabus, peered reviewed by our qualified academics, used in 49 schools which benefited 18,096 pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in violent conflict zones – the development of inter-ethnic and interreligious education is vital to the process of creating good relationships and human security between former rival communities.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Judith Akedi, MA presenting textbooks to Kariobangi North Primary School pupils

Shalom-SCCRR is continuously making a difference in marginalized inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflict environs in Eastern Africa. Through education, peace and development can be achieved. Marodhile primary school in North Eastern Kenya has received educational and development assistance from Shalom-SCCRR

We have been particularly active in the Kenya border areas near Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, and Uganda. These locations experience manifest inter-tribal conflict and marginalization violence, recurrently heightened by nomadic pastoralist lifestyle’s that necessitates movement over official borders and unofficial boundaries for survival. It is in these areas that Shalom’s investment is key, working with 16 ethnic groups, conducting workshops and implementing development projects aimed at helping to end the cycles of violence.

Shalom-SCCRR’s staff member Ms. Asha Awed MA, engaging pupils in an interethnic/interreligious school in Northern Kenya.

We are also making significant contributions within Nairobi’s impoverished urban settlements (Slums) located around Nairobi:(Riruta; Waithaka; Dagoretti; Kibera; Mathare; Kariobangi; Korogocho; Kangemi; Kawangware; and Huruma), address Violence against Women and Children Religious ideological extremism as well as interethnic tentions in these slums as well as in marginalized conflict regions in the semi-arid terrains where Kenya interfaces with Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. The inhabitants of these slums are frequently subject to high levels ofviolence and sectarian strife. Our team is persistently active with key community groups including elders, chiefs, women, youth and religious institutions, increasing their capacities to settle and resolve conflict in a constructive enduring approach, ensuring progressive peaceful coexistence between all the communities. Recently we established Shalom-SCCRR Empowerment Center (SEC) and Mary and Joseph Life Center (MJLC) https://maryandjosephlifecenter.org/

OUR APPROACH AT COMMUNITY LEVELS:

The primary task of Shalom (SCCRR) is the identification of the underlying causes of conflict and marginalization through the application of empirical research utilizing methodological rigor to its optimum. This is the guiding foundation for core conflict transformation interventions. Shalom gives optimal significance to building authentic relationships with and between community leaders, elders and key influential opinion shapers in the conflict zones. This community insertion responds to their felt needs for sustainable peace and to strengthen the opportunities for development, particularly inter-religious and inter-ethnic education. The Shalom team spends quality time hearing the perceptions and concerns of these key opinion shapers on both sides in conflict or war environments, before implementing training workshops. We train these key community influential opinion shapers of the community who have further tangible influence in conflict resolution and reconciliation skills, professionally empowering them to apply these principles to their living context. This allows us to carefully evaluate our progress in each context and to adapt our peace and development programmes specifically to each situation.

Shalom-SCCRR’s  Program Manager Urban Settlements Mrs. Joyce Wamae, MA and Mr. Francis Mwangi, MA Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Officer facilitating a joint trust-building meeting between Samburu and Turkana women in Tuum, Samburu County.

Community forum for conflict pre-assessment at Koro, Ethiopia; facilitating the session are: Shalom-SCCRR’s Mr. Paulson Erot, MA, Mr. Davis Wafula (SAPCONE) and Mr. Peter Korobe representing Peace and Development Center, Ethiopia.

INTERVENTIONS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES IN EASTERN AFRICA

We play a key role through the introduction and teaching of Peace Studies in Tertiary Education facilities in Nairobi.  At Tangaza University College we have provided a course for the past 13 years on ‘Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation’, attended by students of Theology and Islamic Studies in Africa. Many of our staff and associates have been involved in teaching the core principles of conflict transformation, diplomacy, social research, statistics, and peacebuilding at some of the most esteemed academic institutions in East Africa.  Thiscontribution to teaching at the higher-education level has an enormous long-term life changing impact across policy formulation, families, generations and nations. The Shalom-SCCRR developed Peace syllabus continues to be piloted and introduced into primary and secondary education; we are working closely with government officials for the advancement of this invaluable strategy.  Almost 415 units of solar lighting have been provided to these schools; it provides immense support to the all-round development of children living in disadvantaged areas which have no electricity.

Fr. Oliver Noonan, MA, Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwaina, Dean of Theology and Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, with the Tangaza University College students on completion of the  ‘Conflict resolution and reconciliation’ course.

EMPOWERMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH OTHER PEACE PRACTIONERS AND ORGANISATIONS

Shalom works in cooperation with other significant actors at local, regional and international levels. This is based on the understanding that partnerships are vital in furthering our interventions and the ripple on effect for peace and development in other parts of the world. Shalom-SCCRR accredited by the United Nations https://shalomconflictcenter.org/3901-2/, have partner relationships with numerous community and faith-based organizations of various traditions and beliefs. Shalom has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) comprised of eight countries in Eastern/Horn of Africa; with AMECEA (Associated Membership of Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa); with the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queens University, Belfast, N. Ireland, and with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth.

INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL LECTURES, MODULES AND PRESENTATIONS

Shalom International Chairman Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine. Continues to deliver numerous lectures, modules and presentations on a variety of issues concerning human rights, the theory and methodology to transform inter-ethnic conflict and religious ideological extremism, the environment and conflict, peace-security and sustainable development in eastern Africa, structural violence underpinning manifest conflict, and Shalom-SCCRR approach to empowering women influential opinion shapers to address violence against women and children, among others:

• Stellenbosch University, South Africa invited Rev. Patrick Devine PhD, from the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) to present an academic module to its Masters of Divinity Students (2022).
• Shalom-SCCRR’s International Chairman, Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine addresses the Harvard Kennedy School, USA (2022)
• Harvard Kennedy School, Center of Public Leadership (March, 2020 – postponed following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic),
• ‘The Shalom-SCCRR Approach: Settling and Resolving Inter-ethnic Conflict, East Africa context’, University of San Diego (2019),
• ‘Conflict Methodologies and Processes’, DePaul University, Chicago (2018) ‘
• On the Ground in Eastern Africa: Creating Peace Amid Conflict and Religious Ideological Extremism’, United Nations Conference Center Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2018) for AMECEA
• ‘Religious Ideological Extremism’ and the ‘Environment and Conflict’,  Queens University, Belfast (2018)
• Senator George Mitchell Institute for Global Security, the ‘Lieutenant General Dermot Earley Memorial Lecture 2018’, at Maynooth University Ireland, titled, “Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa’ upon a combined invitation from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention and theIrish Defense Forces, the
• University of Texas , Austin and the University of Houston, Texas (2017),
• Harvard Law School’s Negotiation and Mediations Clinical Program (2016) on Innovative ‘Approaches to Interethnic Conflict Management in Eastern Africa’ , 
• Edward Kennedy Institute Maynooth University (2015), 
• Clinton Peace School in Northern Ireland (2013),
• Washington D.C, 2016 on ‘Radicalization and Extremism’, recently, the article ‘Radicalization and Extremism in Easter Africa; Dynamics and Drivers’, by Patrick Devine, was published in the distinguished ‘Journal ofMediation and Applied Conflict Analysis’.

Chicago’s DePaul University’s President, Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban and his wife Josephine, with Shalom- SCCRR’s Executive Chairman, Fr. Patrick Devine PhD who was invited to give a presentation there, titled, ‘On the Ground in Eastern Africa: Creating Peace Amid Conflict & Religious Extremism’ (Nov, 2018), Included also are Prof. Stan Ilo, Mrs. Donna. O’Rourke (2nd left), who travelled from San Diego for the lecture, and Prof. Patrick Chibuko, Nigeria.

SCCRR PARTNERSHIPS/COLLABORATIONS:

IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development, – HQ in Djibouti , comprised of 8 Countries in Horn of Africa) MoU; SCOA USA (501c3); SCCRR, Republic of Ireland, (Registered); N. Ireland/UK, (Registered); Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, Queen’s University Belfast, (N. Ireland) MoU; Edward M. Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention, NUI Maynooth, (Republic of Ireland) MoU; AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa) MoU; Society of African Missions (SMA); Tangaza University College/Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Narobi, Kenya; Trocaire; Shalom Network for Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation, (Cote D’Ivoire – West Africa); SCCRR Committees; Britain, Australia; Harvard Law School, (USA), March 2016; Project Common Bond ( USA) , Jan, 2017; College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas, Austin, TX, Oct, 2017, DePaul University Chicago, Nov 2018. We are truly grateful to you,

Yours sincerely,

SHALOM-SCCRR TEAM-EAST AFRICA

Board of Directors (Kenya) Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, Chairman Prof. Peter Wanyande, PhD, Board Member (Eastern Africa – Research) Dr. Michael Comerford, Board Member, (South Sudan) Rev. Oliver Noonan MA (PhD Candidate), Executive Director Ms. Rosaline Serem, MBA, Board Member, (Kenya) Mr. Sean White, MSC, Board Member (Kenya) Rev. Janus Machota, BD, BA, Board Member, (Tanzania) Management Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA(PhD Candidate), MA, Senior Project Officer Mrs. Judith Akedi-Otsieno MA, Project Officer, Team Leader Mr. Francis Mwangi MA, M.E.R.L Officer Mr. Austin Ngacha, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader Mr. Arthur Magero, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader Mr. Kennedy Odhiambo, MA, Project Officer Mr. Moses Osiro, MA, Project Assistant Ms. Ilhan Ali Salah, BA(MA Candidate,) Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program Mr. Kipkoech Kipruto, B.Com., ACCA, Accountant, Further Studies Mr. Remmy Ndiema, B.BM, CPA, Accountant, Further Studies Ms. Vivian Adhiambo Omondi, BA, Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program Mr. Ken Otieno Dipl. PPM, Transport /Logistics Coordinator International Volunteer Consultants          1. Mr. Patrick Geysen, MA, (Former Deputy Head of EU Delegation, Djibouti) Mrs. Nancy Mirera, MA, (Counselor-Psychology, Mental Health Worker, Mediator in A.D.R) Ms. Sheena McMullen, MA, (Peace and Reconciliation Studies, N. Ireland/UK) Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit, (Harvard Kennedy School, Masters of Public Policy Program) Ms. Matilda Brolin, LL.M. (Harvard Law School, Embassy of Sweden to the Democratic Republic of the Congo) Ms. Fabiana Pardi Otamendi, LLM, (Harvard Law School, UN Human Rights, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, France) Mr. Andrés Oviedo, MA (International Relations, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona). Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Culture of Peace. Liaison Officer at the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC). Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Tembo, (DRC Congo and Great Lakes Region) Dr. Conrad Bosire, (Constitutionalism and Devolution, Kenya, East Africa)

https://shalomconflictcenter.org/

Board of Directors (Kenya)
Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, Chairman
Prof. Peter Wanyande, PhD, Board Member (Eastern Africa – Research)
Dr. Michael Comerford, Board Member, (South Sudan)
Rev. Oliver Noonan MA (PhD Candidate), Executive Director
Ms. Rosaline Serem, MBA, Board Member, (Kenya)
Mr. Sean White, MSC, Board Member (Kenya)
Rev. Janus Machota, BD, BA, Board Member, (Tanzania)

Management
Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA(PhD Candidate), MA, Senior Project Officer
Mrs. Judith Akedi-Otsieno MA, Project Officer, Team Leader
Mr. Francis Mwangi MA, M.E.R.L Officer
Mr. Austin Ngacha, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader
Mr. Arthur Magero, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader
Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader
Mr. Kennedy Odhiambo, MA, Project Officer
Mr. Moses Osiro, MA, Project Assistant
Ms. Ilhan Ali Salah, BA(MA Candidate,) Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program
Mr. Kipkoech Kipruto, B.Com., ACCA, Accountant, Further Studies
Mr. Remmy Ndiema, B.BM, CPA, Accountant, Further Studies
Ms. Vivian Adhiambo Omondi, BA, Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program
Mr. Ken Otieno Dipl. PPM, Transport /Logistics Coordinator

International Volunteer Consultants         

• Mr. Patrick Geysen, MA, (Former Deputy Head of EU Delegation, Djibouti)
• Mrs. Nancy Mirera, MA, (Counselor-Psychology, Mental Health Worker, Mediator in A.D.R)
• Ms. Sheena McMullen, MA, (Peace and Reconciliation Studies, N. Ireland/UK)
• Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit, (Harvard Kennedy School, Masters of Public Policy Program)
• Ms. Matilda Brolin, LL.M. (Harvard Law School, Embassy of Sweden to the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• Ms. Fabiana Pardi Otamendi, LLM, (Harvard Law School, UN Human Rights, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, France)
• Mr. Andrés Oviedo, MA (International Relations, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona). Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Culture of Peace. Liaison Officer at the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC).
• Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Tembo, (DRC Congo and Great Lakes Region)
• Dr. Conrad Bosire, (Constitutionalism and Devolution, Kenya, East Africa)

Support Shalom-SCCRR’S work for Sustainable Peace and Development

It was created in 2009 to address the persistent widespread violence and dislocation across northern Kenya, and in the wake of the disputed 2007 national elections. The Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation focuses on the root cause of violence and poverty in the tribal lands of eastern Africa. It was created in 2009 to address the persistent widespread violence and dislocation across northern Kenya, and in the wake of the disputed 2007 national elections. Shalom continues to make acknowledged life-changing enduring impacts on peace and development initiatives in strategically needful regions, particularly in Eastern Africa.

Our mission implementation depends also on the vision, kindness and assistance of perceptive donors and supporters – people like yourself who believe that peace is the answer and that human beings can live together not just in the absence of war but in progressive mutual coexistence. Interethnic and interreligious dialogue and praxis (Dia-Praxis), especially education, are vital components in this process. Our interventions in conflict environments are wholly oriented towards peace, development and reconciliation between communities at the grass-roots. We can do something great and noble together.

The Shalom (SCCRR) Team in Africa, our leadership, our volunteers and the communities we collaborate with, remain extremely grateful for your solidarity. Your sustenance and contributions brings peace, security and hope to thousands of men, women and children. Our overall mission is to work for a society free of physical violence and unjust social structures in Africa, transforming violence and marginalization, generating peaceful and progressive communities achieving a secure future in their own environments.

Thank you for your solidarity, your prayers, and your generosity.

Sincerely,

Fr. Patrick Devine, PhD

Shalom-SCCRR International Chairman, (Africa, USA, R.o.Ireland, N. Ireland-UK)     

Tel; Africa +254 733 612503; Europe; +44 7741 260 743; USA +1 917 922 6649; pdevine@shalomconflictcenter.org

Eastern Africa: Shalom-SCCRR receives United Nations (UN) Accreditation

The United Nations Department of Global Communications has approved Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) to be associated with the Department which works with diverse civil society organisations ranging from small groups to subsidiaries of large networks and academic institutions around the world. The organizations associated with the Department gain access to UN Headquarters in New York to attend meetings, events and informational sessions, and to network with other organisations and UN entities.

This recognition of Shalom by the UN is an opportunity for it to work with the 1,500 associated NGOs in furthering the goals and objectives of creating a better and more peaceful world together. These NGOs also play an important role using their own communications platforms with their members and beneficiaries to highlight commitments made by governments and world leaders, such as the agreement by world leaders to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Our application for accreditation was strongly supported by the United Nations Centre for Information (UNIC) in Kenya, Uganda and the Seychelles, by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in eight countries with a population of around 300 million people in Eastern Africa, and by Tangaza University College in Nairobi. Our board, management and staff are delighted with this global recognition of our peace-building strategy and methodologies.

See published Articles by Matt Moran published below in ICN Oct 5^th, 2020 (See also UCA Article, attached below on Oct 11th)

Matt Moran

The United Nations Department of Global Communications has approved East African-based NGO – the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) – to be associated with the Department. Shalom – SCCRR was founded in Kenya in 2009 by Irish missionary, Fr Patrick Devine SMA, who continues as its International Chairman. Its Country Director in Kenya is another Irish missionary, Fr Oliver Noonan SMA.

The UN Department of Global Communications works with diverse civil society organisations ranging from small groups to subsidiaries of large networks and academic institutions around the world. The organisations associated with the Department gain access to UN Headquarters in New York to attend meetings, events and informational sessions, and to network with other organisations and UN entities.

This recognition of Shalom by the UN is an opportunity for it to work with the 1,500 associated NGOs in furthering the goals and objectives of creating a better and more peaceful world together. These NGOs also play an important role using their own communications platforms with their members and beneficiaries to highlight commitments made by governments and world leaders, such as the agreement by world leaders to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Shalom’s application for accreditation was strongly supported by the United Nations Centre for Information (UNIC) in Kenya, Uganda and the Seychelles. In its letter of recommendation, the Director of UNIC, Mr. Nasser Ega-Musa, stated: “Shalom benefits from the cooperation of the governments of Eastern Africa that comprise the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. Shalom also partners with international and regional colleges and universities on peace-building courses, as well as religious associations and councils in Africa. We, therefore, have no hesitation in recommending them for the United Nations Department of Public Information accreditation with the confidence that they will be a great asset and will add value to the work of the United Nations”.

The application was also supported by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in eight countries with a population of around 300 million people in Eastern Africa, and by Tangaza University College in Nairobi. IGAD pointed out that: “Shalom distinguishes itself by its unique way of working, incorporating theory through research and practice through training on skills in conflict resolution and transformation. The organisation has a growing reputation for its peace-building work, professionalism, high research ability, and conflict sensitivity. Its well-structured training modules on analytical skills and knowledge of peace-building is a major contributor to our work.”

IGAD’s endorsement went on: “Shalom respects local cultures and works closely with the adversarial communities at the grassroots to mitigate conflict, turning negative peace to positive peace, hence, building sustainable peace. Beneficiaries of its research and training are highly proficient in applying the skills in resolving conflict in the Horn of Africa. Shalom is unquestionably an exceptional organisation to partner with. Shalom’s experience in the region suggests that the UN and it would greatly benefit from this association.”

Last month at a strategic planning meeting held in Nairobi for conflict transformation and peace-building practitioners in Eastern Africa, the International Chairman of Shalom, Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, stated that “Conflict has a memory that is robust, resilient and anchored in culture. While peace depends on truth and the realisation of social justice, there can be no reconciliation without the application of mercy also. Reconciliation requires truth, social justice, and mercy being applied inseparably. The distinction between negative peace and positive peace is of critical importance. Specifically, positive peace is epitomised by reconciliation, whereas negative peace is merely the absence of manifest violence without reconciliation being realised”.

The peace-building work of Shalom provides valuable experience and learning for the UN which launched its Sustainable Peace Initiative (SPI) in 2018. That Initiative places preventive action and post-conflict peace-building on a par with peace-making and peace-keeping. The report by the Secretary General to the High Level Meeting on Sustaining Peace in April 2018 laid the groundwork for an important policy-breakthrough, empowering civilians with new tools, better management practices, and hopefully new financial resources to contribute to a more integrated and coherent framework for global conflict management that delivers positive peace.

Important features of the Initiative are:

– It elevates the role of civil society and regional organisations in sustaining peace.
– It stresses that the UN development system and development practitioners in general are central to   conflict prevention and sustaining peace, and
– It buttresses the case for “more predictable and sustained financing” for civilian-led peace-building through a proposed Funding Compact with Member States, against the backdrop of declining development assistance to conflict-affected countries as a share of global aid.

There is growing recognition that development actors need to provide more support to national and regional prevention agendas through targeted, flexible, and sustained engagement. Prevention agendas, in turn, should be integrated into development policies and efforts, because prevention is cost-effective, saves lives, and safeguards development gains. A joint study in 2018 by the UN and the World Bank – Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict – originated from the conviction on the part of both institutions that the attention of the international community needs to be urgently refocused on the prevention of conflict.

That is precisely the work that Shalom has been doing since its foundation in 2009. It was also the basis of its detailed submission to the public consultation on Ireland’s overseas aid policy in August 2018 (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/submission-to-public-consultation-on-the-irish-aid-white-paper/). Shalom advanced the view that Ireland’s aid policy should prioritise conflict transformation and peace-building that involves the participation of civil society organisations with the appropriate competence and capacity, and that this should be reflected in a meaningful manner it its new strategy. Unfortunately, Ireland’s foreign policy, which its development aid programme underpins, remains more focused on “peace-keeping” which is a military approach.

However, Irish Minister of State for International Development, Joe McHugh TD, in an interview after an EU Development Council Meeting held in Brussels on 19 May 2017 to address the humanitarian situation in Africa, Yemen and Syria, and the future of EU-ACP relations and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development quoted Shalom as a good example in peace-building.

The Minister stated: “I pointed to the great work that is being done in Northern Kenya by a group called Shalom – interethnic conflict reconciliation – where for the first time in a particular region, even with drought and massive challenges, peace is holding. So we have to look at the solutions. My message today from Ireland to Europe was: if there are examples that are working we should look at them, and we should support them.”

Referring to the important peace and development nexus, Minister McHugh said: “We are focused at how we can look at and examine the root causes of conflict … looking at peace and reconciliation … to looking at how we can bring peace which will obviously lead to sustainable development. We can’t have sustainable development without peace.”

Shalom recognizes that conflict is the single largest driver of humanitarian crises today. According to the UN, over 85% of humanitarian funding is directed to addressing needs in conflict-affected situations, whilst the World Bank estimates that by 2030 more than 60% of the extreme poor will be living in fragile and conflict-affected states. Conflict transformation, peace-building and integral human development – the thrust of Shalom’s work – are a means of bringing about justice to the marginalized who are the victims of human rights abuse intrinsic to the operation of structural violence.

Where justice prevails human rights are by and large not violated. They are adhered to or enforced or are part of the order of things. The realisation of human rights is the underlying and operational motivation, driver and end goal of Shalom’s work. Transforming inter-ethnic conflict and religious ideological extremism have been major components of its interventions.

Shalom has signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Edward M Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention at the University of Maynooth (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/the-kennedy-institute-in-ireland-and-the-shalom-centre-collaborate/) and with the Senator George Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queens University Belfast www.indcatholicnews.com/news/32118 . These memorandums allow for the sharing of research on theory and practice in the complex area of peace-building.

Shalom, staffed by professionally qualified staff, is a non-political, inter-religious, and inter-ethnic organisation registered under Kenyan law, and has support branches in the USA, Republic of Ireland, and N. Ireland / UK. In 2018, Misean Cara which operates as an agency of Irish Aid in the distribution of funding for missionary development work in the global south, carried out an evaluation of Shalom’s strategy and methodologies in conflict transformation and peace-building.

The independent consultant’s report stated: “Shalom’s contextually driven, rigorous but adaptable and forward-looking methodology represents a model approach towards peace-building in highly complex situations”. It stated further: “The approach, with its emphasis on community leadership, stakeholder participation, high technical competency, logic models, results frameworks, stories of change and advocacy linkages also reflects current best practice within both the peace-building and development sectors.”

That description demonstrates the rationale for the positive relationships which Shalom – SCCRR enjoys with a broad range of donors, partners and institutions across three continents, including the offices of the UN and the World Bank in Kenya, and now the UN Department of Global Communications in New York.

It is another example of the entrepreneurial spirit and the pioneering work of Irish missionaries in the global south where they have been outstanding ambassadors for Ireland. Fr. Patrick Devine’s caring and peace-building work was recognized in 2013 when he received the International Caring Award from The Caring Institute in Washington and joined other recipients of the award who include the Dalai Lama, former US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Mother Teresa and Senator George Mitchell www.caring.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/13-CARING-Nov.pdf.

(Matt Moran is a writer based in Cork in the Republic of Ireland. He is the author of “The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On” available from www.onstream.ie. His forthcoming book is “The Theology of Integral Human Development”).   

Tags: Kenya, Shalom, United Nations, Fr Patrick Devine SMA, Fr Oliver Noonan SMA, SCCRR, Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation

Full ICN article on Oct 5^th:  https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/40609

RELATED ARTICLES OF INTEREST BELOW:

UCA: https://www.ucanews.com/news/shalom-ngo-in-kenya-receives-un-accreditation/89841

An Understanding of the Work of Shalom-SCCRR in 2019-2020: By Prof. Wanakayi K. Omoka, Ph.D.

SMA Provincial Leader commends the work of SHALOM

April 30, 2019

    Fr. Padraig Devine and Fr. Ollie Noonan SMA

“Shalom’s contextually driven, rigorous but adaptable and forward-looking methodology represents a model approach towards peace-building in highly complex situations, such as those that pertain in Northern Kenya. The approach, with its emphasis on community leadership, stakeholder participation, high technical competency, logic models, and results frameworks, stories of change and advocacy linkages also reflects current best practice within both the peace-building and development sectors.” – Dr. Mike Williams

In 2009, Fr. Padraig Devine SMA, supported by Fr. Ollie Noonan SMA, founded the SHALOM Centre for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) in Nairobi, Kenya. Since then, the organization has achieved remarkable results and has captured the attention of the international media and foreign institutions.

The success of SHALOM is based on its methodology and focus on an integrated and holistic approach to peacebuilding. SHALOM does not react to the symptoms of conflicts but rather attempts to understand and address the underlying causes. In a recent interview with the SMA Communications Department, reflecting on his term as the Provincial Leader of the Irish Province of the Society of African Missions, Fr. Michael McCabe SMA, spoke of his high regard for the work of SHALOM:

“A primary example of our missionaries working in the service of the Church’s mission of Peace and Justice is that of Fr. Padraig Devine and Fr. Oliver Noonan, in Kenya, through SHALOM. I was a board member of SHALOM before I left Kenya and witnessed the genesis of an idea that is growing from strength to strength and will, I believe, be recognized as one of the great contributions by Irish missionaries in helping to bring peace and reconciliation to Africa.”

“The success of Shalom,” Fr. McCabe continued, “is in its determination to remove the underlying causes of ethnic, religious and tribal disagreements that wreck the lives of ordinary people. Padraig realised that to achieve this he needed to recruit a highly skilled team of academics and conflict management practitioners to train teachers and tribal leaders in the art and skills of conflict resolution and reconciliation.

I personally believe that while there are many missionary and religious groups involved in the ministry of peace and justice, the approach of SHALOM is unique is addressing the underlying causes of conflict in the areas where it is working.”

To emphasize his point, Fr. McCabe quoted from a statement by Dr. Mike Williams, an international development consultant, who recently carried out an effectiveness review of the programmes on conflict transformation and peace-building conducted by SHALOM in Eastern Africa. Dr. Williams awarded SHALOM the highest possible rating while stating:

“Shalom’s contextually driven, rigorous but adaptable and forward-looking methodology represents a model approach towards peace-building in highly complex situations, such as those that pertain in Northern Kenya. The approach, with its emphasis on community leadership, stakeholder participation, high technical competency, logic models and results framework, stories of change and advocacy linkages also reflects current best practice within both the peace-building and development sectors.”

The SMA Communications Department has covered many stories related to the work of SHALOM on the SMA website, emphasizing the esteem with which we hold the work of the organization. In 2017 we highlighted an article on the organization by EurekAlert that was picked up by international media sources and which we encourage our readers to review again. The article summarizes the work of SHALOM and it’s many successful outcomes since its inception less than a decade ago, and can be accessed by clicking on this headline: The peace builders of Northern Kenya; Successful research-led model spreads to other African nations

In conclusion Fr. McCabe said he wished to commend Frs. Padraig and Oliver in their leadership and administration of Shalom and hopes the organization continues to develop and expand its reach across Africa, especially supporting the work of the United Nations in helping the African Union to deliver the Great Green Wall.

Recalling Prof. Wanakayi K. Omoka, PhD, Understanding of the Philosophy and Work of Shalom-SCCRR; Augmented with 2022 Shalom-SCCRRs Achievements and Result

Shalom-SCCRR team members, led by Dr. Peter Linus, Director of National Strategy, observing and monitoring Shalom trained community facilitators engaging with warriors on conflict transformation and negotiation road maps.

Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) is a peacebuilding non- governmental Organisation that works in Africa. Specifically, the eastern Africa member countries of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Its vision is a society where peace, social justice and reconciliation prevail throughout Africa. Its mission is to work for a society free of physical violence and unjust social structures in Africa. Its main objective is to attain conflict resolution for all people in Africa through empowering local communities engaged in inter-ethnic conflict, and/or wherein religious ideological extremism is espoused, to be architects of their own interdependent future reconciled co-existence.

Where Shalom-SCCRR works; Shalom-SCCRR’s team members, Mrs. Judy Akendi, MA and Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, engaging women leaders from the Turkana community in Sarima, Marsabit County

An Ariel view of Kibera slums; one of Nairobi’s informal settlements where Shalom-SCCRR works

Shalom’s staff not only have postgraduate qualifications that befit the theoretical and practical demands of peacebuilding but also possess practiced skills in building trust between antagonistic neighboring communities and attenuating religious ideological extremism. Shalom’s vision, mission, and objectives are legitimated by the sacredness and dignity of all human life, human rights, environmental security, and an appreciation for ethnic and  religious diversity. Shalom-SCCRR’s peacebuilding work comprises of structured and functionally inter-related initiatives and activities within the purview of inter- ethnic conflict along with a need to attenuate/obviate religious extremism. The initiatives/activities were as follows:

1. Equipping purposively selective locals with analytical skills and peacebuilding techniques for use in conflict problem solving and reconciliation workshops.
2. Generation of sound knowledge of why/how there is inter-ethnic conflict through empirical research on which to base peacebuilding initiatives/activities, and which also lends itself to informing government/IGAD policy practices in the context of localized inter-ethnic/inter-communal conflict occurrences.
3. Augmenting the conflict transformation role capacities of religious organizations, civic organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
4. Training local government administration and security personnel in conflict analysis and procedural peacebuilding approaches to settle and resolve conflicts.
5. Constructing and equipping inter-ethnic and inter-religious schools and institutions with requisite facilities for the purpose of countering, among other things, distrust of ethnic other as well as harboring or tending to perceive hostile intentions in the behavior of ethnic other, thereby fostering inter-ethnic/inter-communal peaceful co- existence.

Specific humanitarian-peace-development outputs – January through December 2022 – were as given below.

Conflict Transformation & Peacebuilding Results and Achievements 2022

• 125 Conflict transformation and Peacebuilding training workshops for 28 significant Shalom-SCCRR Peace Groups of influential opinion shapers in the urban informal settlement conflict hotspots, marginalized areas of northern Kenya and at the Kenya-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda interface.
• 3,551 Members of Shalom-SCCRR Peace groups empowered with conflict analytical skills for designing and implementation of locally driven and sustained conflict transformation and peacebuilding initiatives.
• 17 training workshops on prevention of Religious Ideological Extremism in 5 project areas located in Nairobi and Mombasa informal settlements/slums in Kenya.
• 105 Shalom-SCCRR trained and supported Community Peace Resource Persons (Group Animators, Community Facilitators and Conflict and Peace Monitors) active in implementing locally established Conflict Monitoring Intervention (CMI) Mechanisms in 28 conflict locations (Kenya-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda Interface, northern Kenya arid-areas, and urban informal settlements/slums) for timely and effective conflict interventions.
• 30 Prevention of Electoral-violence Workshops conducted in conflict hotspot areas – pre-Kenya’s 2022 general elections. Shalom-SCCRR trainers equipped its Peace groups with necessary skills to identify election-related conflict risks and to apply proactive conflict prevention interventions.
• 43% Women active involvement in Shalom-SCCRR local peacebuilding initiatives, a 7% increase compared to 2021 statistics.
• University Elective Course offered by Shalom-SCCRR at Tangaza University College, Constituent College of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa; ‘Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation’, attended by Students of Theology and Islamic Studies from Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA, Shalom-SCCRR Senior Project Officer, facilitating a Conflict Transformation workshop at Koru Ethiopia, Eastern Africa – a semi-arid desert violent terrain.

Shalom-SCCRR personnel training government officials (security agents) on methodologies and processes to bring about a society free of physical violence, structural violence and the promotion of positive peace among communities.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Senior Project Officer, Godfrey Okoth, MA engaging Samburu women in Northern Kenya on peace and development strategies for them and their families

Schools/ Educational Development Projects Achievements/ Peace Dividends 2022

• 52 School/Educational Development Projects completed, emerging from Conflict Transformation interventions.
• 14,500 Pupils and Students benefiting from Shalom-SCCRR funded projects: Classrooms, Accommodation facilities, Solar lighting systems, Gender sanitary items, Books, Desks, School Water systems, Science Laboratory Equipment etc.
• 18,096 Pupils and Students benefiting from Shalom-SCCRR Peace Education Syllabus implemented in primary and secondary Schools located in violent conflict zones.
• 49 Shalom-SCCRR established and supported SHALOM Peace Clubs, implementing conflict transformation activities in areas affected by interethnic conflicts/religious ideological extremism and marginalization.
• Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) for Addressing Violence Against Women and Children Offering Education/ Training on Peacebuilding techniques, Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation and, Holistic Livelihood Resilience Capacities.

Fr. Oliver Noonan MA, shalom-SCCRR Executive Director with Mr. Ciaran King assessing the progress of Shalom-SCCRR funded classrooms construction project at St. Peter’s Nursery and Primary School, Turkana County

A delivery of desks and lockers by Shalom-SCCRR logistics team at Santur Primary School in Loiyangalani, Marsabit, Kenya. The school was experiencing an acute shortage of sitting places for the learners.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Esther Kibe MA, having an interactive peace education session with students from Marti Secondary School. Shalom-SCCRR has also supported the school with desks, solar lighting systems, and the construction of standard classrooms and toilet facilities hence improving the teaching and learning environment in the school

Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) Addressing Violence against Women and Children Achievements 2022

• 760 Women from informal urban settlements (slums) Empowered with analytical skills and Peacebuilding techniques, for Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation.
• Shalom-SCCRR Empowerment Center (SEC) participants predominantly come from the informal urban settlements (slums) located around Nairobi (Riruta; Waithaka; Dagoretti; Kibera; Mathare; Kariobangi; Korogocho; Kangemi; Kawangware; and Huruma), as well as in marginalized conflict regions in the semi-arid terrains where Kenya interfaces with Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda https://shalomconflictcenter.org/
• 1,628 Women in acute conflict situations in Slums Empowered with Holistic Livelihood Resilience Capacity in 86 Training Workshops. Visit: https://maryandjosephlifecenter.org/

Shalom-SCCRR’s Ilhan Ali Salah BA (MA Candidate), guiding women from Riruta urban informal settlement in an interactive group discussion on the existing frameworks for conflict prevention in their areas.

Esther Kibe MA, Shalom-SCCRR Project Officer on the ground with women from marginalized communities in Northern Kenya

Shalom-SCCRR’s Project Officer for Women and Children Program, Judith Akedi MA, engaging women from Mathare Informal Settlements/slums on the dignity and rights of women and their invaluable role in resolving all forms of conflict.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Godfrey Okoth MA (PhD Candidate), facilitating a training session with women from Kawangware urban informal settlements on their role in peacebuilding.

Impacts of Shalom-SCCRR, 2009 – 2022

• Reduction of inter-ethnic based violent conflict incidents by an average of 67% in Shalom-SCCRR engaged project areas.
• Operational and effective locally developed and sustained Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanisms preventing more than 60% of looming conflicts.
• More women participation as negotiators in peace processes among traditional ethnic communities (43% participation) in contexts where peace processes have been a preserve of the male-folk.
• Improved peace and security by 58% in areas where Shalom-SCCRR is intervening based on the monthly conflict incidents tracking. Thus, creating a supportive environment for development of local economy, stable and safe human settlement, health centers, and other social facilities.
• 90% success of uninterrupted learning in schools where Shalom-SCCRR is implementing conflict transformation and peacebuilding projects.
• Improved levels of trust, cooperation and collaboration between rival ethnic communities leading to joint development in areas such as: education, and livelihood activities.
• Prevented youth radicalization and religious ideological extremism in the urban slums through broad stakeholder engagement and capacity building trainings to local communities’ key influential opinion shapers, religious leaders, local government administrators and civil society actors.

Prof. Wanakayi K. Omoka Director of Research and Fr. Patrick Devine PhD, working on one of Shalom-SCCRR position paper concerning Human rights.

At the heart of the Shalom-SCCRR specialized modus operandi are collaboration, empowering of local communities in conflict to be analyzers, owners and architects of their own inter-dependent future of peaceful co-existence. Shalom-SCCRR invariably uses bottom-up approach which contrasts with diagnostic solutions prescribed from top down. Shalom-SCCRR puts strong emphasis on efficiency, effectiveness, and delivery of value for money in all of its activities. Shalom-SCCRR is grateful indeed to all its donors, partners, and stakeholders who continue to support its peacebuilding effort in Africa.

Rev. Oliver Noonan MA, Shalom-SCCRR’s Executive Director with Prof. Wanakayi

K. Omoka carrying out empirical research in the conflict-prone Ilemi Triangle.

Prof Omoka who was an academician, peace practitioner and devoted his career to social transformation and integral human development in Africa, observed that;

“Shalom-SCCRR is unique in its modus operandi.”

According to him, Shalom-SCCRR distinctive approach has attracted the attention of some of the highest academic institutions worldwide as well as the interest of authentic qualified social transformation practitioners working in conflict, underdeveloped and marginalised environments in Africa and beyond. Shalom-SCCRR remarkable achievements of its mission implementation according to him, are directly related to its management and international corporate stewardship.  Prof. Omoka further observed that the vision, field experience, resilience and progressive leadership of Shalom-SCCRR’S international chairman, Rev. Dr Patrick Devine, are inspirational, evidenced in peace and development results, productive team work, growing international interest from scholars and policy makers, among other positive life changing dynamics. 

Fergal Keane (left), the legendary BBC international affairs correspondent and Africa Editor, when internationally reporting on the conflict transformation and peacebuilding work of Shalom-SCCRR in eastern Africa, said, that

“What they do here matters to all of Africa.”

I couldn’t agree more. It is indispensable that personnel and organizations involved in peace and development work (or planning to do so) are up to performing what the effort calls for as well as being authentic in their commitments. Their motivations and interventions should neither get short-changed by parasitic inclinations and/or abuse of the interventions to the disadvantages of African people. Shalom-SCCRR esteems itself on the pledge of its personnel to the letter of the organizational vision, mission and values. Shalom in 2020 continues to deliver while expanding its efforts to counter the spread of Covid-19, particularly in remote poverty stricken rural locations and urban slum settlements.  The human and environmental security of Africa is an imperative for the peace and progress of human dignity throughout the whole world.

Conflict Transformation and Peace Building, Kenya

Mr Mike Williams, an international development consultant appointed on behalf of Misean Cara recently concluded an effectiveness review of the programme on conflict transformation and peace-building conducted by the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation in Eastern Africa.

The programme was awarded the highest possible rating with Mr Williams stating that:

“Shalom’s contextually driven, rigorous but adaptable and forward-looking methodology represents a model approach towards peace-building in highly complex situations, such as those that pertain in Northern Kenya. The approach, with its emphasis on community leadership, stakeholder participation, high technical competency, logic models, results frameworks, stories of change and advocacy linkages also reflects current best practice within both the peace-building and development sectors.”

We commend the integrity, leadership, and excellent work by Fr. Patrick Devine, Executive Chairman, Fr. Oliver Noonan, Country Director, and their team at Shalom. We confirm that Shalom is an organisation in good standing in relation to financial administration and corporate governance, and are pleased to have been associated as a donor with its pioneering work from 2011 to 2017.

Published by Misean Cara, 2019.