World Vision Ethiopia Observes the International Day of Peace

Cognisant of this year’s International Day of Peace, World Vision Ethiopia together with its partners, and community leaders marked the 2023 International Day of Peace under the theme Peace in Action in Addis Ababa at World Vision Ethiopia Head Office premises on 21 September 2023. The event provided a platform for World Vision Ethiopia and its partners to deliver a message of peace and reconciliation to the nation during this difficult time when Ethiopia has in the recent past experienced conflict in various areas. 

In her opening remarks, Karmen Till, World Vision Ethiopia's National Director said, “As we talk about a day of peace, we get to the heart of what World Vision is all about. We can not apply World Vision’s statement that says for every child, life in all its fullness, our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so. The fullness includes having peace, building on the foundation of peace, the self-prayer, the prayer we make with our staff, partners, and the community.’’

Speaking of what is peacemaking all about, she notes, “Peacemaking is not just for someone else, not for someone in a leadership position, authority, or power. It is a choice that I make with every word I say and every decision I make. What I say and do either contributes to or detracts others from the peacebuilding in that scenario. We must use our influence with individuals we meet with to bring about peace and reconciliation by teaching the value of forgiveness, discussion, and de-escalating disputes, fighting conflicts.” She concluded her statement by quoting the biblical verse, Matthew 5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers; blessed are those with whom we walk in peace; they will be called the children of God.

Given the country's present security situation, World Vision Ethiopia has made peacebuilding initiatives one of its core strategy pillars. It empowers children and youth as peacebuilders by training them in the concept and skills of peaceful coexistence with their peers and communities. It increases peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity interventions across all its operational areas. It strengthens local and national peace-building structures' capacities and also engages in related peacebuilding interventions in the nation.

In line with the government’s peace-building efforts, World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) has contributed towards strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation among conflicting parties, capacitated faith leaders, children, youth, women, and security personnel, in peaceful conflict resolution.  WVE has supported community dialogues between Guji and Gedio, Amaro and West Guji and Wollega and Kamashi by strengthening the existing peace structures, supporting the peace infrastructures, and rehabilitating community connectors.

By Aklilu Kassaye, Field Communication Manager, World Vision Ethiopia