Empowerment and Human Security in a time of transition - impressions from a visit to South Africa

by Katrin Uhl

In its search for new member organizations representatives of the Network set out to South Africa in October 2001 to get a first-hand impression of the challenges and issues specific to this country in transition. Although sharing many of the general issues and concerns of the field, the South African perspective on human rights-, democracy- and tolerance-education and the challenges at hand are very different from many of those faced by other Network member organizations. With a strong emphasis on conflict resolution, the organizations we visited in Cape Town approached this issue against the background of poverty and issues of human security as central sources for conflict and inequality:

Working directly in disadvantaged communities of the townships of Cape Town, "U Managing Conflict” (UMAC) runs programs on the demilitarization of youth, supports the building of a culture of trust and security through its involvement in community police- and community safety forums and addresses the issue of empowerment of women, training them as community leaders in their program on women and peace building. With roots in conflict monitoring that go back to the 1980s, UMAC also acts as a mediator in community conflicts.

Against a similar background the work of the Quaker Peace Center (QPC), part of the world wide Quaker community, aims at fostering a culture of creative, non-violent conflict resolution. Its activities range from direct intervention in situations of conflict to training programs for people in disadvantaged communities.

Approaching the issue of conflict resolution on a different level, the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) focuses its activities on NGO members, administrative personnel, police as well as the local and national political arena. The research institute offers its expertise and advice on conflict resolution, the reduction of violence and issues of transformation throughout the greater region of Southern Africa and, among other activities, designs specific training programs for professionals.

A first hand look at some of the projects in the townships made for a very intensive learning experience for the visiting Network representatives. Additional insight on the situation in South Africa in regard to human rights-, democracy- and tolerance education was gained through visits to the Educational Department of the Prison Museum on Robben Island and the South African Human Rights Commission. A lot of common ground as well as different approaches and new ideas in regard to our field were the result of the week-long visit. With the admission of UMAC as a full, as well as the CCR as an associated member, the Network again broadens its perspective. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful cooperation.

Index: Podium

Intergroup Relations Programs: How Effective Are They?
by Walter G. Stephan & Cookie White Stephan

4th Annual Network Conference
by Michael Seberich

Presentation of the "Power of Language" - Handbook at the Council of Europe
by Viola Georgi

Empowerment and Human Security in a time of transition - impressions from a visit in South Africa
by Katrin Uhl

The Aquino Foundation

Evaluation of Education for Democracy and Tolerance
by Gabriele Ketterle