The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) constitutional principles quotes that since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defenses of peace must be constructed.
Culture, as one of the ingredients that shape human’s perceptions, attributions, judgments and ideas, could be one of the essential parts in resolving conflicts.
Culture emerges as an essential factor for both sustainable development and lasting peace. In fact, neither equitable progress nor social cohesion is truly possible if culture is left to one side, according to UNESCO.
The road to inclusive social and economic development, environmental sustainability, peace and security is firmly grounded in culture, understood in its spirituality, material, intellectual and emotional dimensions and encompassing diverse value systems, traditions and beliefs. Furthermore, it informs and influences people’s relation to
sustainable development, conflict and reconciliation in a distinct, but in direct manner. It determines and creates paths for lasting conflict resolution and healing, as this same source indicates.
Cultural values have a huge role in resolving conflicts. Ethiopia, as the nation, is rich in having well reputable cultural values which represent its nations and nationalities of peoples. Thus, it has been making use of its cultural assets in resolution and reconciliation efforts whenever it is needed.
Assefa Yirgalem, Internal Communication Manager at the Ministry of Peace said that resolving conflicts through modern as well as its traditional knowledge and customs is not a new phenomenon to the country.
In this regard, Ministry of Peace has been providing trainings, and conducting researches in order to strengthen those societal values and norms. To this effect, activities are underway to organize a directorate.
Involving the society, religious leaders, the youths, public figures and concerned bodies in planning,
following up and evaluating process is crucial to better implement development policies.
The Ministry is working persistently focusing on maintaining the long age cultural reconciliation values of the nation. Moreover, the Ministry, while helping strengthening the relation and integration of states, it is playing a significant role in fortifying the federal system.
With the intention of sustaining the democratization system as well as maintaining the traditional, religious and moral values of the nation, the Ministry is performing various activities.
“The government is working to ensure rule of law in the nation. In concert with concerned bodies, it is providing humanitarian and non-humanitarian supports for internally displaced persons.”
As a result, it is putting the people and higher officials who are responsible for the displacement before the law. And also, it is striving to ensure citizen’s legal rights-to live, move, work and generate wealth.
The government along with NGOs has been providing foods and
materials for the displaced persons on their respected areas. More than 60 percent of the support was covered by the government while the rest was covered by charity organizations.
1.3 million Citizens were placed to their villages. In addition to providing them with shelter, food and necessary materials, the government will continue the support for six months.
More than 80 percent have been penalized for their contribution on the displacement.
In addition to that the government will continue the activities related to peace keeping, ensuring rule of law, and placing the displaced people.
Sustaining peace, ensuring rule of law, strengthening national unity, integrating with States and strengthening the Federal system is amongst the major activity that the ministry is working.
With the aim of sensitizing the society in various areas, the ministry, in concert with various concerned bodies, has been providing trainings. The trainings were offered for female spokesperson of the Houses, (Artists) art professionals, religious leaders, media professionals, civic societies, Teachers Association, Youth, and Mothers drawn from all States and two city administrations, according to him.
Hola Gobena, Abba Gedda of Tulema on his part said that resolving conflicts is one aspect of the Gedda system that the Oromo people have been using.
The nation has traditional and age-long experience that it has been applying in maintaining peace and reconciliation among its societies.
The Gedda system with its various reconciliation types has been resolving conflicts not only within the societies but also with neighboring states such as Benshangul Gumuz, Amhara, Somali states, as to him.
He said, “Resolving conflicts through our cultural values is one of the things that are passed from generation to generation. Thus, it has a huge role as the system is very close and friendly with the living style of the society.”
Living in the society with highly integrated with culture, it is fundamental to give emphasis to such cultural values as it has a huge impact in maintaining peace.
The Ethiopian Herald June 19/2019
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
