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Dag Hammarskjöld Commemorative Week 2006 9-13 October 2006

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 The Dag Hammarskjöld Commemorative Week at Africa University is organized in honour of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations who died in a plane crash on 17 September 1961 while on a mission to mediate the post-independence civil war in the now Democratic Republic of the Congo. The commemoration is designed to highlight the legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld as a promoter of peace, human rights and rule of law in the world. The activities of Commemorative Week depict Africa’s quest for peace and development. The activities are organized in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Harare, the United Nations system in Zimbabwe, Diplomatic missions and other organizations.

The first Commemorative Week was organized in September 2005. Its success was followed by sentiments to the effect that the commemoration should be institutionalized into an annual event with a focus on the theme of peace, leadership and development. The principal objective is to provide opportunities for debate and reflection, exchange of experiences, and promotion of knowledge about peace and conflict transformation, leadership and social and economic development processes in Africa. The Week is also designed as an occasion for personalities from the public and private sectors, civil society, Ambassadors and officials from Diplomatic missions and United Nations Organizations, to demonstrate solidarity with Africa’s peace and development ideals and support for Africa University’s programmes relating to these ideals.

Activities

Commemorative Week 2006 will comprise the following activities:

United Nations Model Debate

(Tuesday 10 October)

Africa University has a tradition of staging annual UN Model Debates by its students. The Model Debate is perceived as a powerful medium for teaching young people about the global mission of the United Nations in promoting peace and development around the world. The 2006 performance will benefit from the success of previous performances. It is proposed to invite students from tertiary institutions in the City of Mutare, as well as the Child President to witness the performance. Personalities from the Government and the Zimbabwean Parliament will be invited to show solidarity with and support for the activity by young people.

2. Seminar on Peace, Leadership and Development in Africa

(Thursday 12- Friday 13 October)

A two-day long seminar is planned on the theme peace, leadership and development in Africa. It will consist of thematic presentations and discussions on the following topics:

(1) Commemoration of the work of United Nations Peacekeepers

Presentations by representatives of the United Nations and

Peacekeeping operations

(2) Education for peace and development in Africa

Presentations by representatives of education and training

institutions, and community-based civil society

organizations

(3) Peace, culture and development in Africa

Presentation by the Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa

(OCPA)

(4) Gender, peace and development in Africa

Presentation on behalf of gender in peace building and

development processes in Africa.

3. Exhibition of the work and life of Dag Hammarskjöld

Courtesy of the Swedish Embassy in Harare, a documentation and video exhibition, including Dag Hammarskjöld’s speeches and statements as Secretary-General of the United Nations between 1953 and 1961, will be mounted for the duration of the Commemorative Week.

4. Gender Week Activities

Throughout the week special activities will be mounted to commemorate the role of Gender in peace and development.

5. Special Chapel Service

On the morning of Wednesday 11 October a special ecumenical service will be conducted in the University Chapel to focus on the process of peace and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

6. Cultural Performances

In collaboration with cultural groups performances are envisaged both as accompaniment to the activities outlined above and as stand alone presentations throughout the duration of Commemorative Week.

Principal Participants

Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and Mrs. Graca Machel

African Union official

Director, University for Peace Africa Programme

Executive Director, United Movement to End Child Soldiering

University of Bradford

Government officials

Diplomatic corps

United Nations officials

Academics

Religious leaders

Civil society representatives

Mobile : (263 11) 622254; (263 91) 240189

E-mail: iplgdirector@africau.ac.zw; abs@ecoweb.co.zw