The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) joins the entire world in celebrating the International Day of Peace.
This was made known by the President of ICMC, High Chief Emeka J.P. Obegolu, while addressing journalists on Friday, the 20th of September, 2019. He said that each year, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace among all nations and peoples.
The theme of 2019 Day of Peace is “Climate Action for Peace”. The theme draws attention to the importance of combatting climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world. President Obegolu linked Nigeria’s perennial Herder-Farmer conflicts to climate change and enjoined all Nigerians to observe the Day and take action immediately to address the problems associated with climate change.
He said that natural disasters displace three times as many people as conflicts, forcing millions to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere. The salinization of water and crops is endangering food security, and the impact on public health is escalating. The growing tensions over resources and mass movements of people are affecting every country on every continent.
President Obegolu further said that as a forerunner in the search for peace and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, the ICMC with membership of over 8,000 trained peacebuilders and practitioners from all walks who contribute to the peace architecture of the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and at the National, State and local Government levels in Nigeria, can do a lot in taking action to curb the adverse effects of climate change.
High Chief Obegolu revealed these to journalists after a brief meeting he had with the Planning Committee of ICMC @ 20. The Committee briefed the President on the 20th Anniversary of ICMC slated for 3rd December, 2019, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Activities lined up to mark ICMC @ 20 include:
1. A Keynote Speech on the theme: ICMC @ 20: A Trajectory of Mediation Practice and Grassroots Conflict Transformation in Nigeria, to be presented by the Institute’s founding President, Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo, who is the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Permanent Representative in Kyrgyzstan.
2. Presentation of a Book: The History of ICMC in Nigeria.
3. Presentation of Awards to individuals and corporate bodies.
4. Anniversary Dinner.
5. Induction of new Associate Members, Members and Fellows who were trained this year.
To register for the ICMC 2019 ADR Conference, Induction & 20th Anniversary Dinner, kindly visit the ICMC Event Portal
