Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) CENTRE: INTER-FAITH YOUTH VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE PEACE BUILDING WORKSHOP HELD AT BOKKOS L.G.A ON THE 10th of July, 2015.

UNITY CIRCLE!!!

The workshop which was held at interfaith vocational centre in Bokkos L.G.A of Plateau state, started at about 10:00am, with a word of prayer from one of the participant. An introductory session was given by the director, Rev. Fr. Francis Gyang of the interfaith vocational centre, he talked about the...

aims and objectives of the centre and how the organization has impacted on the lives of the youths from the three dioceses of the Catholic Church in Plateau state (Jos, Panshin and Shendam) and other places around the state. Afterwards, the program manager of, Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) centre, introduced the centre, himself and his co-workers, he then talked about the purpose of the teams visit to the vocational centre and why the DREP centre has deem it necessary to come and collaborate with the vocational centre on some of it activities, since they are having similar interest in peace building and conflict management.

Mr. Chris later ask the participants to write their expectations concerning the seminar on a small piece of paper, after that, a short tea break was conducted at about 10:45am. Session resumed at 11:20am with a game called the big wind blows, which was participated by all those present at the seminar.

The business of the day started proper at about 11:30am, with a question from the facilitator, he asked if the participants understand the meaning of peace building, some said it means co-existing with one another, living in harmony and others said it is the process of bridging the gap created by conflict. After all perception was given, a documentary movie was played, so that the participants can have a deeper understanding of conflict and how it can result to violence act, if not carefully manage. The movie showcasing the reasons, causes, effects, benefits of conflict and how it has aid in destroying or building the peace that is been enjoyed by all.

The participants were then grouped into three, to answer questions that arose from the movie, by analyzing the incident that lead to conflict in the movie and how it was resolved. After the group work, presentations were made based on groups findings. Comments, observation, questions and contributions were made after presentations from each of the groups.

The facilitator asked if there are initiatives that the students can use as a work plan to setup programmes or platform that will help in building up the knowledge that they got from the seminar, some of the participants said they will be an agent of change in their communities, families and schools, some said that they will try to create an impact on others by living an exemplary life, the facilitator then suggested that the school can create a peace club and can also organize small talk show on peace building.

After all said and done, the facilitator Mr. Chris Ogbonna thanked everyone that was present at the seminar for their time, patience, mutual understanding and contributions which have gone a long way in ascertaining the motives, mission and vision of the two organizations.

The director of the centre Fr. Francis Gyang expressed his appreciation to the facilitator and the entire team of DREP centre. He also presented the achievement of some past students who had worked diligently in the centre during the course of their training on skill acquisition, he then encouraged the students to emulate them, so that they can achieve their purpose of coming to the centre and engaging in it activities.

The seminar ended at about 3:00pm with a word of prayer from the director and a group photograph was taken.