KENYAN PEACEMAKER TO BE HONORED FOR OUTSTANDING WORK

George Gachara, co-founder of the Picha Mtaani a streetexhibition initiative in Kenya, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2011Outstanding Leadership Award from the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR)International Development Committee.

George was selected in recognition of his extraordinarycontribution to advancing conflict resolution internationally. The awards willbe presented on October 12, 2011 at ACR’s Annual Conference in San Diego,California (USA).

George has helped create spaces for young people to becomeagents of peace and reconciliation in their communities. In the aftermath ofthe 2007 presidential election in Kenya, waves of political and ethnic violenceswept the country, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 people and theinternal displacement of 600,000.

“As a country we stood on the brink of collapse. We saw howbad things can get. For us, Peace cannot be just an interval between wars,which is why we’re driving a much needed cultural transformation,” He said.

He adds, “Addressing conflict is not merely aboutpacification of peoples, but addressing injustices, inequalities betweenpeople. Unless we can meet this challenge, new conflicts will flare up and wewill lose another generation to war, it is our duty to nurture a future andhope for young people suffering from unemployment and have little prospects ofimproving their lives.”

The International Development Committee of the ACR’sInternational Section each year honors exceptional work promoting conflictresolution in development projects around the world.

KENYAN AUTHOR AWARDED IN THE US

George Gachara, an author and the co-founder of the United Nations supported Picha Mtaani peace-building initiative was awarded at this year’s Youth Action Net in America on October 6 at an invitation-only ceremony held at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, DC.
Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari of Finland, Finnish Ambassador to the U.S. Pekka Lintu and Kirsi Sormunen, Vice President of Sustainability at Nokia, presented awards.
“I am overwhelmed by the recognition and support the global community has extended to me and my team!” George told Hot Secrets via mail, “I have a deep sense that we are not alone trying to make our societies change. I feel that there is also a need to deepen my work with understanding and innovation.
“I am in the USA for a month, I come back in November. My schedule includes speaking engagements in four states i.e. a university in Indianapolis, Washington State University, St Louis and Univerity of New York.
“After the award, I was treated to a reception at the US department of state; hosted by the Department of state under secretary Maria Otero. This award is coincides with the release of my first book titled set for a November release The Reverse Is True.
Each year, 20 outstanding young leaders are selected for the Global Fellowship program. Through the 12-month program, Fellows participate in a weeklong retreat in Washington, D.C. and benefit from leadership development, skill-building, networking, and advocacy opportunities. "Youth Action Net was created in the belief that an emerging movement of young change-makers had the power to deliver transformative innovations," said IYF President and CEO William S. Reese.
"Congratulations to each of this year's Fellows, all of whom have bold plans for deepening and expanding their work," said Nokia's Kirsi Sormunen.