By Nereshnee Govender
The International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) was inaugurated on the 31 October at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) opened by Ms Scholastica Sylvan Kimaryo, UNDP Resident representative and Coordinator of the United Nations System in South Africa who also presented the 6th Mahatma Gandhi Annual Lecture. The event was attended by Deputy Mayor Councillor Logie Naidoo, Indian Consul Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Vice Chancellor of DUT Professor Roy du Pre, Deputy Vice Chancellor of DUT Professor Nqabomzi Gawe and many other distinguished guests. ICON which is located at DUT aims to create and nurture, through a range of educational initiatives, a movement for nonviolence based on the core values of democratic revolution and principles of nonviolence.
ICON will host a Knowledge Centre where local and international scholars will have access to a rich collection of books, articles and information on various subjects including nonviolent strategies used by various communities throughout the world, South Africa’s process of negotiations, the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as issues relating to global concerns such as food security, water and conservation, economic philosophies, South Africa’s diversity in terms of religion, race and ethnicity and how this can become an enriching experience. The Knowledge Centre will also be a repository for peace initiatives operating internationally and locally so that these are accessible for research purposes. The centre will develop a comprehensive digital library on nonviolence in collaboration with other institutions and organizations and will create an archive documenting past and current events related to the movement of nonviolence.
Outreach programme coordinator of Satyagraha, Clive Pillay explained that ICON will design programmes tailored to the needs of different groups and different learning styles. “An important feature of ICON’s work is to develop a train-the-trainer model, to maximize the efficiency and speed with which programmes can be delivered into the various institutions and communities,” said Pillay. ICON’s goals are to integrate conflict resolution, conflict management, mediation and conflict prevention techniques across the curriculum at all levels. “The centre will work towards providing skills development to build collaborative and ethical work environments in all sectors and empower communities through public education initiatives to take an active role in legislation and policy development promoting non violence,” said Pillay. One of the centre’s core goals is to design curriculum to address diversity and human rights issues.
Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi explained that ICON’s vision is to develop and re-energize the movement of nonviolence to promote reconstruction and moral regeneration through values, principles and actions which informed our democratic revolution and legacy of nonviolence.”
“In keeping with the UN resolution, declaring 2nd October the day of nonviolence and October the month of nonviolence, the Gandhi Development Trust together with the Durban University of Technology believes that the launch of this centre to coincide with this important month is significant.” Gandhi said that it is also significant to have Ms Kimaryo perform the important task of officially opening the centre and presenting the 6th Mahatma Gandhi Annual lecture. Kimaryo was one of 15 women worldwide who was awarded the 8th March 2004 International Women’s day Award for Service to Community and beyond, by the Freedom park Trust of South Africa in celebration of South Africa’s 10years of Democracy. In her presentation entitled ‘Reaffirming Peace, Non-Violence and Human Rights…Reaffirming Humanity,’ Kimaryo stated “Gandhi’s message of rejecting violence is as important today as it was during his lifetime. His political philosophy resonates with all who believe in universal human rights principles that transcend history, nations and cultures.”
“Today Gandhi’s inspiration is needed more than ever if the UN is to fulfill its vision of ending violence by spreading a culture of peace, promoting tolerance and advancing human dignity. The struggle for peace is not simply a struggle against war. It is a struggle to counteract the dehumanizing effects of poverty, prejudice, discrimination, violence and war.”
Speaking on the philosophy of peace education Kimaryo said “Peace Education is based on an inquiry into the normative principles that inform peace and assert the need for the development of human agency. These included human rights, social, economic, political and ecological justice; the need to develop capacities for critical thinking and the need to envision realistic alternatives and to develop strategies for their realization.”
Kimaryo explained that in today’s fraught times, learners need to be exposed to a concept of education that goes beyond learning about peace to advocating for a culture of peace. “The purpose of peace education should be to facilitate the achievement of peace through learning; resulting in the ability to recognize, confront and practice alternatives to multiple forms of violence.”
Explaining the importance of ICON Kimaryo said “Only through concepts of human dignity, human rights and global ethics, particularly the normative principles, can one advocates for the reduction and prevention of all forms of violence. The knowledge of rights and freedoms, of oneself as much as of other, is fundamental to guarantee the respect of all rights for each and every person and hence to prevent violence.” In her concluding remarks Kimaryo said “Education is the primary means to avail of that knowledge and thus to empower people by increasing their capacity to participate in the decision making processes leading to social, cultural and economic justice.
For more information contact the ICON office on 031-373 5820. ICON is located at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) – ML Sultan Campus, Dr M E Sultan Building.