In a quest to promote social healing in communities affected by various societal conflicts including violent extremism, gender-based violence (GBV), drug and substance abuse, tribal clashes, and issues affecting intersex individuals, the Shalom Center for Counselling and Development (SCCo Dev) together with Akili mali Associate held a significant 3-day circle meeting. The event took place from July 10 to July 12, 2024, in Nairobi, and brought together circle holders from the Mt. Elgon, Nairobi, and Coast regions.
Objectives and Purpose
The meeting aimed to:
- Reflect on ongoing community-level activities conducted by the circle members.
- Unite stakeholders from different community programs.
- Prepare for larger upcoming activities requiring a unified voice to champion peace, trauma healing, and social justice.
Attendance and Participation
A total of 17 peace and social justice circle holders attended the meeting. These participants were provided with a platform to recount their impacts, successes, and challenges faced while performing their community social duties. The gathering enabled the exchange of ideas on best practices and strategies to better serve their respective communities.
Outcomes and Future Plans
One of the significant outcomes of the meeting was the planning of a co-creation workshop scheduled to take place in November 2024. This workshop will focus on celebrating the efforts of social healing within communities and furthering the collaboration among the stakeholders.
Conclusion
The 3-day circle meeting underscored the importance of collective efforts in addressing societal conflicts and fostering social healing. The shared experiences and collaborative spirit displayed by the participants highlighted the vital role of community-driven initiatives in achieving peace and social justice.
Commissioner Dr. Wamalwa Dennis remains committed to supporting such initiatives and ensuring that the voices of those working towards social healing are amplified and recognized. For more updates on our activities and future events, please visit our website regularly.