CEWARN co-convened the East Africa Global Peace Leadership Conference (GPLC) – alongside the Government of Uganda and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF)- that was held on 1-2 August 2018 at the Munyonyo commonwealth Resort in Kampala, Uganda.

The conference held with the theme “Moral and Innovative Leadership: New Models for sustainable Peace and Development”, attracted over 1,000 global leaders and covered broad themes such as Interfaith Peace Building and Women-led Peace Initiatives, Development, Education, Entrepreneurship and Investment, Youth Productivity and Women Empowerment.

The IGAD Executive Secretary Amb(Eng.) Mahboub Maalim addressed the high-level session on 2 August alongside regional leaders including the President of the Republic of Uganda H.E. Yoweri Museveni; First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E. Taban Deng Gai as well as Minister of Devolution and Arid and Semi Arid Lands of the Republic of Kenya H.E. Eugene L. Wamalwa among others.

 In his address to the conference, Amb. Maalim commended President Museveni’s proactive leadership in regional matters and expressed IGAD’s commitment in advancing recommendation for action that emerged from the conference.

 CEWARN Director, Mr. Camlus Omogo on his part moderated the thematic session on ‘entrepreneurship and investment as a catalyst for peace and development’. Some of the recommendations that emerged from the session include: the need for businesses to foster interdependence through exports to regional markets; the need for businesses to create job opportunities for youth as well as a call on regional governments to take lead in advancing cross-border peace.

 The Conference concluded with the signing of the Kampala declaration by regional leaders. The declaration reaffirms universal principles and shared values in social cohesion and peace building; moral and innovative leadership; empowering families and youth as a primary means of instilling positive values; as well as a need to adopt a community-driven development to tackle common challenges.

Download the attached Kampala.