The Forum for Cities in Transition would like to thank Kaduna State and His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero,

for hosting and funding the fourth annual Forum for Cities in Transition conference in Kaduna, Nigeria, 4-8 November 2013. The FCT also thanks Bank of America and the American Ireland Fund for their generous support.

Special thanks to Pastor James Wuye and Imam Ashafa and members of the Kaduna Forum whose indefatigable efforts were

responsible for organizing the Kaduna Forum

http://citiesintransition.net/

Report prepared by the FCT Secretariat: Director, Padraig O’Malley, with Co-Secretariat Nancy Riordan (UMASS Boston), and

Allan Leonard (Northern Ireland Foundation). Special thanks to FCT facilitators Quintin Oliver (Stratagem, Northern Ireland) and Emanuela Claudia Del Re (EPOS, Italy). FCT rapporteur Candyce Carragher (UMass Boston) and volunteers Brenda Maguire and

Tom Shortland (Northern Ireland).

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. FCT 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. CONFERENCE PHOTOS 3. KADUNA CITY PROFILE 4. FCT BACKGROUND 5. PROGRAM AGENDA 6. PANEL DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS

APPENDICES:

I. FCT 2013 Outcomes II. Call to Action - Signatures

FCT 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Kaduna FCT Participants Shehu Musa Yaradua Indoor Hall, Murtala Mohammed Square

“Kaduna State geographically has sometimes occupied a position of volatility in the history of ethno-religious tensions in Nigeria, which includes the ethno-religious divide of the city. This unfortunate development has far reaching consequences to even the generation unborn. It is against this background that we in Kaduna State whole-heartedly embraced the hosting of this conference, aimed at promoting peaceful and harmonious co-existence through exchanging ideas and promoting understanding, with the ultimate aim of encouraging resolution of conflicts through non-violent methods in order to unify polarized cities in the world. The activities of this conference are consistent with our primary and fundamental responsibility, which is the provision of security and welfare of the people.”

─ His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Opening Ceremony 4/11/2013

The fourth annual gathering of the Forum for Cities in Transition was held in Kaduna, Nigeria, on the 4-8th of November 2013, hosted by the by the Kaduna State Government, under the stewardship of His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who welcomed delegates in the opening ceremony in the Murtala Muhammed Square. The Governor also attended several conference sessions and participated in workshop discussions. Thirteen FCT member cities participated: Baghdad, Belfast, Derry-Londonderry, Haifa, Jerusalem, Kirkuk, Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica,

Mitte, Mostar, Ramallah, Sarajevo, Srebrenica and Tripoli. Delegates included mayors, councilors, municipal officers, and representatives of the business, voluntary and community sectors. This was the first ever gathering with an international presence of this size and scope in Kaduna’s history. Seven Nigerian cities that experience the highest level of Muslim-Christian violence also participated: Maiduguri, Jos, Bauchi, Kano, Ibadan and Warri. One of the most significant outcomes of this year’s FCT annual gathering was their pledge to launch a first ever peace hub in Kaduna, which will serve to mediate tensions and build peace among the diverse communities of these northern Nigerian cities. Also attending as observers were representatives from four African countries: Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana. Participants spent twelve-hour days in plenaries and workshops, covering topics ranging from the control of light arms and weapons in divided societies; youth, social media and peacemaking; reviving the economy and attracting tourism; reducing religious radicalism; the role of women in conflict transformation; and reconciliation across religious and socio-political divides. On the final day of the FCT gathering, participant cities announced their collective and individual projects that will serve to reduce violence, promote peace and reconciliation, encourage civic participation of all sectors of society, and

promote economic development and regeneration. Over 30 pledges were made (see separate Outcomes section below). Delegates also spent an afternoon traveling north to Zaria (Zazzau), Kaduna state, where they were welcomed at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris. That evening all were treated to a spectacular Gala Night, with traditional music, signing and dance performances, as well as the presentation of gifts from His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. FCT 2013 Kaduna was not a conference per se but a continuation of annual gatherings hosted in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica (2010), Derry-Londonderry (2011), and Kirkuk (2012). The linkages among FCT cities as they move from one gathering to the next, along with an on-going review of the implementation of its outcomes, are the cornerstones of a functioning Forum. The conference program was a mixture of panel discussions with experts and practitioners; time for delegates from FCT countries to intermix in small groups and often on a one-on-one basis; and workshops for delegates to discuss issues raised with regard to Kaduna as well as their own cities. In addition to the international guests, panelists and experts, local officials, NGO and CSO representatives, there were approximately 200 observers from around Kaduna itself in the audience every day. This was by far the largest attendance of any FCT gathering to date. Likewise, a select group of 50 local Kaduna students/young leaders from all ethnic groups volunteered for a range of tasks, including serving as guides, personal assistants to participants, and set up and breakdown of the conference venue. The students in turn were able to learn firsthand about the FCT, as well as converse and network with their local leadership and the many international participants.

The following event goals were met:

Empowered the city of Kaduna’s self-image by showing its capacity of hosting a major international event, putting aside religious and ethnic divisions and partisan politics.

Enlarged the network of connections among FCT member cities.

Established first FCT regional hub: Brought members from seven Nigerian cities which experience the highest level of Muslim-Christian violence: Maiduguri, Jos, Bauchi, Kano, Ibadan and Warri; this resulted in a pledge from the Kaduna Forum for Cities in Transition to launch a first-ever regional hub in Kaduna, which will serve to build peace and reconciliation among their ethnically diverse communities.

Fostered frank discussions about delicate/sensitive issues with peers from other divided cities, including how the obstacles to negotiation were overcome and how communities now work to foster reconciliation at the grass-roots and political levels.

As at the Derry-Londonderry and Kirkuk gatherings, there was a comprehensive discussion of the Northern Ireland Peace Process; this panel included representatives from a broad range of roles: Séan Farren (SDLP Negotiator), Kathryn Stone (Commissioner for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland), Rev. Dr. Lesley Carroll (Consultative Group on Dealing with the Past) and Jim Wells MLA (Democratic Unionist (DUP) member of the Northern Ireland Assembly); chaired by Quintin Oliver (Stratagem Northern Ireland).

Initiated discussion with Sarajevo, Srebrenica and Mostar, to form a Balkan FCT hub.

Participant Post-Conference Survey quotes:

“I’m able to look more objectively at our own situation. It helps to be one step removed from the pressure cooker that is our local municipality.”

“Seeing Imam Ashafa and Pastor James together, gathering so many people ... that gave a clear message that things can be achieved in peace.”

“For me, participating in the African gathering of the FCT was a true privilege, as I found it a very unique and profound exercise, from which an immense variety of visible (and also invisible but nevertheless substantial) outcomes derive. I always have the feeling that something has been achieved at the end of the annual gatherings, which stays and continues into the future in many different ways.”

“The African context offered a cultural differentiation of extraordinary character and flavour; the induction of other Nigerian and African cities was inspirational; the Pastor and the Imam remain beacons of hope and inspiration for a better world.”

“We [brought] Kaduna to worldwide news as a city of peace, which managed to host such an event, and future commitments ... will help in the development of Kaduna.”

“Forum participants created a context for representatives from Kaduna to implement international ‘best practice’ in how to process elements of peace building between conflicting groups in a contested space.”

News Coverage

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/nigeria-christian-muslim-boko-haram-peace

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/groundtruth/surge-nigerias-communal-violence-punctuates-peace-conference

http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/features2/item/26856-kaduna,-bridging-the-divide-along-religious-lines.html

His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and FCT Director Professor Padraig O’Malley (middle),

with members of the newly formed Nigerian FCT Peace Hub to be housed in Kaduna

Kaduna Forum members:

Pastor James Wuye and Imam Ashafa

His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and FCT Director Professor Padraig O’Malley

Quintin Oliver chairs panel discussion Baghdad delegates: Nawal al-Araji and Taghreed al-Shammari

Mitrovica delegates:

Ardiana Osmani and Milos Gulobovic Jerusalem and Haifa delegates: Fathi Marshood,

Khairyeh Khamra , Edna Zaretsky, and Dror Etkes

Kaduna youth volunteers His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Former

Derry~Londonderry Mayor, Gerard Diver and Kaduna Forum delegates

More photos at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Forum-for-Cities-in-Transition/262401981078

KADUNA CITY PROFILE Kaduna State especially its capital city, Kaduna was the centre of the Northern Regional Government from 1957-67. Later the state was known as North Central State 1967-75. In 1976, when the General Murtala Mohammed Administration created seven new states in Nigeria, North Central State, with the capital at Kaduna, was renamed Kaduna State. It was made up of the two colonial provinces of Zaria and Katsina. Kaduna State is one of the most densely populated states in the Federation, with a population of over 6 million (2006 census). There are 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state. Some of the over 60 ethnic groups in the State include Hausa, Gbagyi, Fulani, Bajju, Ham, Atyap, Moroa, Ikulu, Akurmi, Gwong, Aegrok, Adara, Chawai, Ninzo and Numana. Major languages spoken in the State include Hausa, Fulani, Gbagyi, Bajju, Atyap, Jaba, Koro, Kaninkon, Adara, Chawai, Atakar, Gure, Ikulu, Kurama, Kagoma, Kahugu, Kagoro, Maro’a, Numana, and Gwandara. Like other parts of Nigeria, English is spoken as the

official language, while Hausa is widely spoken which makes it a lingua franca in the State. The city of Kaduna has an estimated population of 1.3 million people. The city is unique for its rapid urbanization, which has contributed to the diversity and integration of residents that diverges from the typical segregation between settler and indigenous communities that is prevalent in other Nigerian cities. Nonetheless, the city has been the site of considerable religious tension between Muslims, constituting roughly 60 percent of residents and Christians, constituting roughly 40 percent. The demographics of Kaduna reflect the broader picture in Nigeria. Modern day Nigeria is the product of the British unification of the majority Muslim north and majority Christian south under one administrative area in 1914. However, the south had long benefited from disproportionate educational and economic development and opportunity. These imbalances continue to influence current politics. Nigeria has attempted to mitigate sectarian politics through multiple processes of state formation, to give ethnic groups more autonomy and to group states into zones that allow the rotation of offices across the spectrum of ethnic groups.

Economic Reform The challenge faced by the current government is to diversify its economy from its petroleum industry (itself inefficient and mismanaged). Also, the economy operates within the context of religious tensions as well as an uncertain political future, with the approach of the 2015 presidential elections. 37% of Nigeria's population is employed in family agriculture, compared to 22.1% in non-agricultural self-employment. The largely subsistence agricultural sector, derailed by past governments cutting subsidies, cannot support the rapid population growth, which causes Nigeria to import much of its food. Food imports cost $11 billion a year, approximately a third of the federal budget, making Nigeria the world's second largest importer of rice and biggest buyer of U.S. wheat. Rice imports alone cost the country $7 million a day. In response to the unbalanced economy, the government implemented the Babban Gona, or "Great Farm," project in the northern Kaduna State to grow the agricultural sector. With agriculture as 40% GDP of the economy, Adesina launched the farming initiative, giving 70% subsidized fertilizer and seeds to farmers, compared to 11% under corrupt previous governments. The government encourages foreign investors to help rebuild the country's infrastructure, receiving some assistance from the World Bank, the United States, and independent contributors like Aliko Dangote, the wealthiest man in Africa. Investment in agriculture will not be a speedy process, but it will assist the country's economy by easing it away from dependence on petroleum and food imports. Agriculture also cuts unemployment, which fuels the Islamic insurgency in the north and oil theft in the south. Kaduna state is home of many important institutes of higher education, including Kaduna Polytechnic, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State University, and Nigerian College of Aviation

Technology and the Nigerian Military Training College – the only Nigerian military institute that trains officers in the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Sectarian Conflict In 2000, the city of Kaduna made international headlines when the state government announced the proposed introduction of Sharia law, sparking violent protests between Christians and Muslims that left 2,000 dead, over 10,000 injured, and approximately 60,000 displaced in clashes during February and May of that year. Over 2,000 properties were destroyed, including 170 churches and mosques, and Kaduna city became bitterly segregated between a Muslim north and Christian south. In 2002, Kaduna experienced another bout of violence, in response to a controversial newspaper article suggesting that the Prophet Mohammed would have approved of the planned Miss World pageant. During the three days of attacks and reprisal killings that became known as the “Miss World Riots”, 250 people were killed and nearly 30,000 fled the city. As a result of this violence, the Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi instituted several important reforms, known as the Kaduna Compromise, which has provided a model for other Nigerian states. Under these reforms, the Sharia criminal code is applied only to Muslims, and a tripartite court system of secular, traditional, and Islamic courts offers judicial access across the religious spectrum. In addition, religious and traditional leaders still have considerable influence in the community and often assist in mediation efforts. The Kaduna compromise further ensured that Christians have state-recognized leaders among their constituencies to support the facilitation of the peaceful resolution of conflict. Boko Haram Spark Violence Since 2009, the greatest threat to peace in Kaduna has been from the radical Islamist group Boko Haram, which has targeted police stations and other government buildings, churches and schools, ostensibly in an attempt to trigger

clashes between Christians and Muslims. It has been especially active around Kaduna and other cities in North-Eastern Nigeria. The group also elicited international attention in 2011 when it bombed the United Nations office in Abuja. Subsequently, the group bombed several cities across the country in its Christmas Day attacks and in June bombed a church in Kaduna, sparking weeks of clashes between Muslims and Christians across the state. The state did not fully relax its 24-hour curfew until August 2012. Boko Haram has reportedly killed thousands of people since it began its nationwide insurgency in 2009. Most recently, the Nigerian and Kaduna government, as well as concerned regional and national groups, have initiated peace talks with certain sects of Boko Haram.

FCT BACKGROUND In April 2009, five cities – Derry-Londonderry, Belfast, Nicosia (Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities), Kirkuk and Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica were invited to a conference at the University of Massachusetts Boston, hosted by the Moakley Chair of Peace and Reconciliation Professor Padraig O’Malley. The purpose of the conference was to have the cities explore, after listening to the narratives of each other’s conflict, whether they had sufficient common attributes, experiences and collective identification that they should form a collaborative where they would share their differences and similarities in a more formal and on-going way, in the hope that learning from each other would strengthen the social/political fabric of their respective cities. They drew up a founding document, “A Call to Action” and became the founding cities of the Forum for Cities in Transition. The first annual FCT gathering was held in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica, May 2010; the second in Derry-Londonderry, May 2011; the third in Kirkuk, Iraq October 2012; and the fourth in Kaduna, Nigeria, November 2013. The Forum for Cities in Transition (FCT) is premised on O’Malley’s thesis:

That people from divided societies are in the best position to help people in other divided societies. Former protagonists are best equipped to share their difficult journeys to abandon violence as the instrument to achieve their political aims and open the gateways to recovery, reconstruction, and reconciliation.

That cities which are or were at the epicenter of the conflicts in their countries are in a special position to assist each other because they are often a micro-representation of their society’s fault lines.

That securing the initially established peace can be fostered by citizens of divided cities working together.

That cities on the higher rungs of transition can assist those on the lower rungs, a process that is reciprocal because in serving their sister cities, those further along in transition are sharply reminded of where they once were, where they are now, and where they hope to go in continuing their own processes of transition and reconciliation; no FCT city is labelled “post-conflict.”

That each of these societies is in a different stage of transition to “normalcy,” although it might be better to think of them as societies in “recovery,” because if they do not continually address the causes of the conflict, if the grievances of war remain unaddressed or inadequately addressed, if processes to nurture reconciliation are not promoted (especially at the community level), if disparities in wealth and income continue to grow among competing groups despite legislation aimed at closing such gaps, if an agreed history of the past cannot be reconciled, if the root causes of what resulted in the conflict cannot be acknowledged by all, then the residual causes of conflict and perceived grievances linger and fester, risking slow accumulation to a critical mass that sees the outbreak of conflict again. Thus, there is a need to put in place mechanisms that minimize this risk.

That people from divided societies share behavioural, political, social, and psychological traits, not seen in people in more normal societies, traits that predispose them to see things through a prism that is different than the prism through which you and I would perceive the same events.

PROGRAM AGENDA (Every Panel Discussion was followed by a Breakaway Session, where individual rapporteurs reported back to the reassembled delegates before the next Panel Discussion.)

DAY ONE: Monday, 4 November 2013 0900-1300: Opening Ceremony His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, local dignitaries and Professor Padraig O’Malley deliver welcoming speeches to delegates in the Murtala Muhammed Square. 1530-1630: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Kaduna City: History, Culture, Challenges & Prospects” Chair: Haj. Bilikisu Yusuf (mni) Panelists: Chairman, Kaduna North Local Government Council; Chairman, Kaduna South Local Government Council; Chairman, Igabi Local Government Council; Chairman, Chikun Local Government Council; Director, Arewa House Center for Historical Documentation 1745-1845: PANEL DISCUSSION: “How Peace was Negotiated in Northern Ireland”

Chair: Quintin Oliver (Stratagem Northern Ireland). Panelists: Sean Farren; Kathryn Stone (Commissioner, Commission for Victims & Survivors); Jim Wells MLA

DAY TWO: Tuesday, 5 November

0830-0930: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Baghdad: Sectarian Violence & the Future of Iraq” Chair: Professor Padraig O’Malley Panelists: Mohammed Al-Hanzah; Ali Al-Gburi; Nadwal Al-Araji; Taghfeed Al-Shammari; Nazin Razoky

1045-1145: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Reducing Religious Radicalism in Nigeria: Interfaith Mediation Centre as a Model” Chair: Dr Joseph Golwak (Director General, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, IPCR Abuja) Panelists: Pastor Dr James Wuye; Imam (Dr) M.N. Ashafa; Permanent Secretaries Bureau for Religious Affairs (Islamic & Christian Matters) 1445-1545: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Mitrovica & Kaduna Cities Getting Youth Engagement in the Peace & Reconciliation Process” Chair: Nancy Riordan (FCT Secretariat Boston) Panelists: Ardiana Osmani and Milos Golubovic (FCT Mitrovica/Kosovska Mitrovicë); Hayatu Ashafa and Joan Wuye (FCT Kaduna) 1645-1745: PANEL DISCUSSION: “The Role of Women in Bridge Building across Segregated Communities” Chair: Dr Lydia Umar Panelists: Prof. Emanuela Del Re; Lesley Carroll; FOMWAN; BAOBAB; WOWICAN; Minister of Women Affairs & Social Development

DAY THREE: Wednesday, 6 November 0830-0930: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Divisions that Give Rise to Conflict: The African Experience” Chair: His Excellency, Ambassador of Rwanda to Nigeria Panelists: Kenya; Rwanda; Ethiopia; South Africa 1045-1145: PANEL DISCUSSION: “KADCIMMA: Reviving the Economy and Tourism Potential of a Divided City” Chair: Alhaji Yahaya Aminu (Chief of Staff, Kaduna State) Presenter: Dr Alimi Bello (President KADCIMMA) Panelists: KADCIMMA/LOC 1330-1430: Film Shows

1430-1530: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Degraded Land & Human Security” Chair: Prof. Abdulkadir Adamu (Department of History, ABU Zaira) Panelists: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture; Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Environment; Executive Director, FORE; Pastoral Resolves, Kaduna 1645-1745: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Control of Small Arms & Light Weapons within Divided Cities” Chair: Commissioner of Police Panelists: Barry Pollin (Police Service of Northern Ireland); Toufic Allouche; GOC; DSS; Coordinator, Operation Yaki 1900-2000: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Kaduna Youth, Social Media and Peace-making” Chair: Professor Barnabas Williams Qurix (VC KASU) Panelists: Kaduna Youth Council; National Union of Journalists, Kaduna Chapter); Kaduna Youth Early Warning & Early Response Network

DAY FOUR: Thursday, 7 November 0830-0930: PANEL DISCUSSION: “Insurgency and Ethno-Religious Conflict in Nigeria” Chair: Senator Ahmed M. Makarfi Panelists: Dr Bashir Akanji; Alh Mustapha Kyari; Dr Onuoha Austine; Barrister Timot; Dr Bakut T. Bakut 1045-1400: HISTORICAL TOURS/LUNCH (LOC)

Royal Palace of the Emir of Zazzau

National Museum for Arts and Culture 1545-1645: PANEL DISCUSSION: “From Belfast and Tripoli: The Challenge of Bringing Healing and Reconciliation across Religious and Socio-Political Divides” Chair: Allan Leonard (FCT Secretariat) Panelists: Toufic Allouche; Bilal Ayoubi; Laura McNamee; Sean Brennan; Tim Attwood

1800-1900: PANEL DISCUSSION: “The Role of Faith-Based Organisations in Promoting Peaceful Co-Existence in Kaduna City” Chair: Prof. Inuwa Dikko Panelists: Darren Kew (UMass Boston); Imam Ashafa and Pastor James (Interfaith Mediation Centre); CAN; JNI; Women Interfaith Council (WIC)

DAY FIVE: Friday, 8 November

0830-0930: REVIEW OF 2012 COMMITMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENT OF 5TH ANNUAL FCT CONFERENCE 2014 Chairs: Professor Padraig O’Malley (FCT Director); Nancy Riordan (FCT Secretariat); Allan Leonard (FCT Secretariat) 1015-1045: FCT Secretariat/FCT Cities Meeting Chair: Professor Padraig O’Malley (FCT Director) 1045-1115: PRESS CONFERENCE on outcome of FCT 2013 Conference Kaduna (Announcement of Nigerian Forum for Cities in Transition) 1115-1145: OFFICIAL DECLARATION of FCT 2013 Conference Kaduna Close by His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Kaduna State 1900-2100: Gala Night (The Banquet Hall, General Hassan Usman, Katsina House, Kawo, Kaduna)

PANEL DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS “Kaduna City: History, Culture, Challenges and Prospects” The panelists described how throughout Nigeria’s history, many people intermingled and its composition was varied -- there are 250 different ethnic groups in Nigeria. In the 1980s, dissension emerged in parts of the state. The crises of 1992 and 2000 accelerated the segregation of Kaduna city along ethno-religious lines. Segregated neighbourhoods have become comfort zones. As discussant chairman Haj. Bilikisu Yusuf remarked: “People [commute] from the south to work in the north every morning ... Traffic always reminds me that I live in a segregated city. You grow up here in a cosmopolitan city, with an upbringing in schools that are not segregated, and suddenly you become segregated. Trust had been built over centuries; so hard to build, but so easy to tear down.” Meanwhile, some local community leaders work with youth and women, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, who otherwise may be exploited by politicians. Key Issues:

Need for economic activities across the social divide

Lack of basic amenities and infrastructure

Lack of institutional mediation; interfaith mediation is insufficient; a Commission should be created

Difficulty of collecting taxes, which would enable the provision of better public services

“How Peace was Negotiated in Northern Ireland” In 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland, many people were brutally killed. People were forced to abandon their homes, churches were destroyed, and economic life was seriously disrupted. A panelist described the current, improved situation as one representative of an agreement of peace -- or political non-violence -- but that there remains much work to ensure there is no regression. Furthermore, it was argued that dealing with the legacy of the past is necessary, in order to become a more healthy (and reconciled) society. Northern Ireland has benefitted from the transformation of its police service -- no longer a ‘police force’. The PSNI is a singular service, composed of all sections of society. The political institutions of the Northern Ireland government have three key aspects:

1. Complete commitment to non-violence in attainment of political objectives

2. Adhere to any future change to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland

3. Both (British) unionist and (Irish) nationalist sections of society will be represented in the Northern Ireland Government (Executive)

Key Issues:

Reconciliation -- how victims and survivors can be included, not marginalised

Prevalence of segregation in education and residential living

Contentious nature of parading and display of flags and other symbols of cultural identity

“Baghdad: Sectarian Violence & the Future of Iraq” Unfortunately, the panellists made a point of avoiding discussion of sectarian violence in Iraq.

While sectarian violence is rampant and has led the country back towards civil war between the Sunni minority and the Shia majority. President Nouri Al Malaki has largely shut out Sunni participation in governance while the country is sucked into the neighboring Syrian war dividing the country further between forces loyal to Bashar Assad, moderate rebels and the growing extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Furthermore, since gathering in Kaduna the forces of Al Qaeda have overtaken parts of the Anbar Province, Fallujah and Ramadi.

“Restoration of Degraded Land and Human Security” Access to land is one of the most important issues today. If people do not have access to land, it can become a flashpoint and can lead to crises. Chemicals, over farming, and the operation of industry (oil) affect the quality of land and leads to pollution, disease and other health issues. There are territorial conflicts between crop farmers versus cattle herders (when herders encroach onto farms, and vice versa), requiring the intervention of local community leaders. Key Issues:

Non-implementation of the Land Use Act

Need to educate farmers on how to keep soil productive (without fertiliser)

Use of firewood to clear land, as well as invariable forest fires

Encroachment of desert; arable land become more scarce

Over reliance on wood for fuel, with subsequent deforestation

“Insurgency and Ethno-Religious Conflict in Nigeria” The panelists identified several causes of the conflict: economic, ethnic/tribal, religious, and territorial. A brief history of Boko Horam was given, how it began as a religious movement in 2003, seeking the prohibition of Western education and the implementation of Sharia Law. In addition to military efforts to defeat the organisation, there have been mainstream media commercials and the distribution of printed flyers, showing the dangers of Boko Horam’s methods. An important point was made that violence has affected both Christians and Muslims. It was argued that the conflict is not a theological one. Rather, other regional issues play a significant role, e.g. high unemployment and trade of arms in Chad, as well as the civil war in Libya. A panelist described how the Interfaith Mediation Center has worked on an early-warning system, to prevent smaller conflicts from escalating into major ones. This was the result of organising community dialogue among six municipalities in Kaduna state, after the 2011 elections. Projects include training on conflict resolution and the development of self-initiated local projects. Key Issues:

Lack of education and economic opportunities

Guns and self-made weapons

Drug addition and substance abuse

Contested claims between (mainly Muslim) Hausa and Yoruba groups (indigenous/settlers), morphing into a religious conflict

Inflammatory reporting by the media

“Mitrovica & Kaduna Cities Getting Youth Engagement in the Peace & Reconciliation Process” The panelists reported on the inaugural Youth Forum for Cities in Transition conference, an offspring of the Forum for Cities in Transition (FCT) 23rd-27th September, hosted in Mitrovice/Kosovska Mirovica. Over 50 youth delegates -- from Belfast, Derry-Londonderry, Jerusalem, Kaduna, Kirkuk, Ramallah, Tripoli and host city Mitrovice/Kosovska Mitrovica -- shared and explored how their local experiences resonate with each other. Through this engagement process, delegates gained invaluable and practical knowledge, which they will use to build sustainable cooperative relationships within and across their communities and cities. Delegates identified current challenges to develop conflict transformation, and collectively formed creative and practical solutions. Key Issues:

Lack of education and economic opportunities

Youth dialogue/engagement with city officials and politicians

Requested continued support from FCT members cities to help sustain and develop the Youth FCT as part of their outcome projects

“Reducing Religious Radicalism in Nigeria: Interfaith Mediation Center as a Model” The Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC) focuses its efforts on preventing and de-radicalising young people in Nigeria, including the application of Holy Scriptures from both Islam and Christianity. The IMC has received financial support from NGOs as well as the Government, but is seeking further public policy changes to be even more effective.

Pastor James and Imam Ashafa outlined their 17 models of engagement in the interfaith peace process:

1. Interfaith-based Peace Education in formal and informal institutions, including integration in school curriculum

2. Peer Mediation in colleges, to deal with bullying, abuse, and religious conflict

3. African Traditions Equality Dispute Resolution Mechanism -- a form of self-critical review

4. Track II Diplomacy, as an alternative means to build peace outside government institutions

5. Media Engagement

6. Interfaith Peace Clubs in schools, with individual “Ambassadors of Peace”

7. Mediation Tents, among the trees and under the trees

8. Town Hall Meetings, for the community to come together to discuss issues

9. Peace Gates at flash points, as safe places for the community to meet

10. Faith-based Technology, used at the workplace

11. Early-Response Warning System, so any sign of conflict can be reported immediately

12. Peace Match, based on the UN interfaith model

13. Policy Advocacy, especially in regards to laws inherent to peace

14. Peace Declarations, where joint statements are made by different groups in the community, to affirm solidarity

15. De-Programming / Re-Programming militants/extremists

16. Documentary Films to highlight success stories

17. Publications of peace resource materials

“KADCIMMA: Reviving the Economy and Tourism Potential of a Divided City” The economy of Nigeria is reliant on the natural resource of oil, while farming and the textile industry have been traditionally important. Sometimes the development of the oil industry is detrimental to farming; one panelist argued for a change in legislation towards non-oil production economic opportunities. In this regard, the Nigeria Government is developing policies on sustainable economic development. Access to affordable commercial finance is a major issue, and private investors are used to set up factories and house building. A panelist wasn’t certain whether Nigerians understood the concept of social entrepreneurship, but remarked that younger people are very enterprising. Key Issues:

Commercial bank lending rates of 20-25% Interest

Travel visa, security and environmental issues curtailing development of tourism

Need to empower women and youth, to reduce unemployment

“The Role of Women in Bridge-Building across Segregated Communities” A panelist remarked that both men and women do not know what women have to do with conflict resolution. The panel acknowledged that women are half the population of every society, and they must be included; their expertise, experiences and capacities add value to peace processes: “Peace building is about relationships, and you can’t build relationships by leaving out half of the society.” There is also the perspective of women as mothers of children that join a conflict. The panel concluded that it is not sufficient to just say women and men need to work together in peace building, but to actually been seen as working together. Key Issues:

Under-representation in government bodies, e.g. only 2 out of 30 women on local planning committees

Need to educate women about politics and conflict, e.g. significance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325

“Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons within Divided Cities” The perspectives of three FCT cities were presented: Tripoli, Derry-Londonderry and Kaduna. Tripoli was described as a community divided by the Alewite and Sunni (with the former supported by Hezbollah). Any firearms are illegal without a permit, and it was claimed that the distribution of permits is not transparent. A panelist explained how some militia leaders and sheiks (using their religious titles) arm children and get them to use them against each other: “We try to open their eyes ... They think the other kids are the enemy, but if they get together they might see that they are not so different.” His organisation has been trying to provide alternatives for these youth for the past three years. Another panelist explained the situation of firearms in Derry-Londonderry, from a policing perspective. Globally, he said that there are about 875 million items in circulation that can cause catastrophic human damage; the majority of these are in the possession of (non-state) individuals. He also stated that over 1,000 companies in 100 countries produce 8 million small firearms every year. Based on a fact that where a population trusts the government, the need to self-arm diminishes, he argued that there should be an obligation for states to provide security as a core responsibility. Yet where citizens do not feel safe, then projects that attempt to bring in illegal weapons will not work; he cited his experience in Kosovo. Relatedly, where a police service is in harmony with society, there is a baseline that better enables individual police officers to use less than lethal options, in order to more quickly reduce tensions and resolve conflict.

In Kaduna, it is illegal to bear arms unless you have a license, which is difficult to obtain (and is primary for gaming purposes). Arms proliferation in Nigeria accelerated with the civil conflict -- more firearms became more accessible to the wrong people. The Government has attempted to deal with this through individual arrest and prosecution, but if there is a suspicion of a large amount of firearms, then there are neighbourhood search and destroy operations. There have also been amnesty programmes, where surrendered firearms are destroyed with compensation. The way forward is by being proactive, the panelist said, to nip in the bud the menace of small arms and non-state actors. This will be achieved through the police partnering with the community, as a joint responsibility: “Security is everybody’s business.” Key Issues:

The transfer of firearms from paramilitary organisations to criminals

The fashion by wealthier nations to have the latest weapons -- an arms race at every level

Need for leadership within policing, to encourage development of community cooperation

Ensure a police service that is not biased or corrupted by any political party or section of society; have best practices of hiring and firing police officers and managers

Creating a means to exchange facts and knowledge in regards to the international exchange of firearms

“Kaduna Youth, Social Media and Peacemaking” Social media has taken firm root in Kaduna’s youth and communities. The lead panelist defined three categories of young people in Kaduna city:

1. Youths that are unemployed and unemployable

2. Employable but are not employed

3. Employable and employed

He argued that the leaders of the third category should be used to engage and develop young people of the second category. (Whether any young person should be described as “unemployable” was debated in the subsequent roundtable discussion.) This panelist also highlighted the role of youth access to the Internet and social media. Positively, this has increased their awareness of events; negatively, at times of a disaster some will take images with their phones instead of trying to assist. His Excellency Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero was praised for his encouragement of young people to work for peace. Key Issues:

Using new technologies (mobile phones/Internet/social media) in constructive ways

Educating young people of basic journalism standards

“Presentation from Belfast and Tripoli: The Challenge of Bringing Healing and Reconciliation across Religious and Socio-Political Divides” Identity plays a major role in Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland. One panelist described how the punk music genre provides a sufficient distraction for some young people, transcending the ethno-national divide. Meanwhile, there is the long-running joke of any Jew/atheist/Chinese getting asked, “But are you a Protestant or Catholic Jew/atheist/Chinese?” Both Belfast panelists discussed the shortcomings of dealing with the past and addressing the needs of victims and survivors: “The victims want peace and reconciliation, but politics gets in the way.” “We had a dirty war, and we’ll have a dirty peace if we don’t deal with the truth; all sides have to tell the truth between ex-combatants and politicians.” The positive contribution to municipal policy by the Good Relations Partnership in Belfast City Council was explained. This partnership is made up of half elected representatives (councillors across the broad spectrum of political parties) and half of individuals from voluntary and community organisations. Key Issues (Belfast):

Repainting paramilitary murals with more positive messages (Re-Imaging Project)

Encouraging young people to stay in school and achieve qualifications

Developing integrated education (currently 8% enrolment)

Desegregating public housing estates

Removing interface barriers (“peace walls”), over 50 in Belfast.

Tripoli: In the neighbourhood Bab al-Tabbaneh (mainly Alewite), in Tripoli, most children drop out of school at age 12; one school has a 0% graduation rate. Furthermore, there is 85% unemployment and a complete lack of operating businesses. There are hundreds of churches and mosques, but no basketball courts or other common spaces (arguing that some religious leaders prefer this, for greater social control). He spoke positively about the Mediation and Advocacy Project, which includes campaign training. Specifically, 100 people across the city’s four zones will receive 16 hours of mediation training; 30 of them will proceed to advanced mediation training, with 6 further advancing to a professional qualification. Another initiative is “The Coalition”, which is a strategic network of NGOs in Tripoli, and serves as a platform for coordinated activities. For example, after recent explosions in the city, they started a campaign to rehabilitate 200 shops, working with the Office of Transitional Assistance. They achieved a 99% success rate, with shop owners telling them that otherwise they would have never re-opened but gone bankrupt. They were also successful in using hip-hop music to mobilise young people, who created a music video. During summer 2013, they were able to offer help to 100 young pupils, with 40 succeeding in their exams: “Next year we will do 1,000 kids.”

A theme that resonates with The Coalition is, “My voice is staying and the sound of your guns is going”. Key Issues (Tripoli):

School attendance and achievement

High unemployment and lack of economic opportunities

Blaming the poor for social problems

Corruption among politicians and power exerted by local gangs

APPENDICES OUTCOMES The Forum for Cities in Transition is explicitly grounded in there being tangible outcomes at the close of each conference, a commitment made by each city to carrying out a project that will further transition, reconciliation, and development in its own city and/or to help one of its sister cities where its expertise in a particular area can be of significant benefit. Commitments are designed so that cities on the higher rungs of transition assist those on the lower rungs. They are embodied in the principle that divided cities collectively can do together what they cannot do separately. The process is reciprocal because in serving their sister cities, those further along in transition are sharply reminded of where they once were, where they are now, and where they hope to go in continuing their own processes of transition and reconciliation. In accordance with the mission statement of the FCT, the emphasis is the realization of practical outcomes that would assist participating cities improve the daily lives of their citizens, and enhance engagement between officials, NGOs, and residents. As a result of the extensive one to one networking, bilateral and multilateral deliberations that took place among city delegations in Kaduna, both in formal and informal sessions, the following projects were pledged as the outcomes of the 2013 Forum for Cities in Transition gathering: NEW FCT MEMBERS: Nigerian cities to join the Forum for Cities in Transition and to form a Nigerian Forum, headquartered in Kaduna:

Bauchi (Bauchi State) Ibadan (Oyo State) Jos (Planteau State) Kano (Kano State) Maiduguri (Borno State) Warri (Delta State)

Baghdad:

Investors in agriculture to visit Nigeria and share best practice

Delegates from other cities and governor of Kaduna invited to visit Baghdad

Belfast: Develop a twinning with Kirkuk and

Tripoli focusing on women and youth Develop a peace and reconciliation

conference with Queens University in 2015

TEDx in Stormont video link to enable cities to participate and share ideas (16 April 2014)

Host 2014 FCT – aiming for a dynamic, interactive conference focusing on sharing successes, challenges and ideas which can be shared and implemented in each of the cities

Derry-Londonderry: Invitation to Mitrovica youth to join the

youth football tournament (Foyle Cup) Mediation, Peace and Reconciliation

Group to share mediation training programs with Tripoli

Governor accepted invitation to visit Derry Londonderry

Youth bank connection to Kaduna via St. Columbs Park (Brian Dougherty)

Haifa: Invitation to a group of women from

Kaduna to Haifa to have a seminar in Haifa to build understanding and enable empowerment – 2 week knowledge exchange proposed

Exchange project with Israeli experts (Kaduna to Haifa / Haifa to Kaduna) to share agricultural best practice

Jerusalem: Work across Muslim and Christian divides Pledged commitment to values,

principles and values of FCT

Kaduna: Begin work on establishing a regional forum for FCT in Nigeria and Africa Kirkuk:

General pledge to work together to promote values of co-operation

Continue to support the ongoing construction of the hospital

Support children, women and people in need

Support education

Mitrovica: Support next youth conference, providing

advice, support and guidance based on their experiences this year

Also support the youth delegates to implement and fulfil their commitments

Send youth football team to youth football tournament (Foyle Cup) in Derry Londonderry

Mitrovica Rock School plan to visit Tripoli as part of the outcomes from FCT Youth Conference

Proposed Jerusalem / Haifa / Palestine / Mitrovica youth exchange

Mitte: School to bring pupils from Derry-

Londonderry and Cyprus to Mitte to begin to understand the different cultures, a 1 week radio workshop (“crossing barriers and understanding each other”) is suggested as part of this exchange

Support a training workshop on Procurement – this would be open to delegates from any cities who wish to participate, develop skills to counteract corruption

Mostar: Exchange with Mitte on women’s

projects Develop a forum on women in the post

conflict environment with Srebrenica and Sarajevo

Ramallah: Microfinance knowledge exchange to

share experiences about soft loans, share with Baghdad

Summer camp – targeted youth program

Sarajevo:

Support peace and reconciliation work, support youth work in Balkans

Aim to host youth forum in Balkans region in the next few years

Srebrenica: Support ideas and initiatives and

collaborate with Sarajevo and Mostar

Tripoli: Continuation of ongoing activities

relating to non-violence campaign Mediation commitment, “Mercy Corps,”

support for developing advocacy skills Continuation of Hip-Hop revolution

through Coalition against violence “Cross Arts project”

Kaduna twinning to work together on women’s projects

Provide youth group attendees to future youth conferences

Ramallah / Mitrovica / Tripoli youth exchange

1000 students to participate in remedial learning projects

FCT Secretariat: Assist the Kaduna Forum in establishing

the Nigeria FCT regional peace hub in Kaduna

Work with FCT cities to provide a rich information source for global peacemakers, via FCT website and social media channels

Identify and share appropriate contacts for the purpose of economic development in all FCT cities

Provide printed and other material to members for fundraising on behalf of the Forum for Cities in Transition

The effectiveness of the FCT depends on the above outcomes being translated into action. The FCT Secretariat will monitor outcome pledges and follow up on every outcome agreed to ensure

implementation but ultimately, responsibility for and action towards project implementation belongs to the cities themselves. In accordance with the mission statement of the FCT, the emphasis of the Kaduna 2103 gathering was on the realization of practical outcomes that would assist Kaduna and the participating cities improve the daily lives of their citizens, and enhance engagement between officials, NGOs, and residents. Each year the Forum for Cities in Transition (FCT) participants are reminded that the FCT only works if those attending carry out the commitments they made at the close of the previous year’s gathering. Each gathering is a continuation of the work of the previous year. At the end of the Kaduna 2013 gathering each city once again committed itself at the final plenary session to implement a project(s) before the 2014 Belfast gathering. In this sense, the Kaduna gathering was not a conference per se but a continuation of the proceedings that began in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica in May 2010, again in Derry-Londonderry in 2011, Kirkuk 2012 and demonstrates a commitment to work together in the interim when they reconvene in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2014. The Forum for Cities in Transition (FCT) is explicitly grounded in there being tangible outcomes at the close of each gathering, a commitment made by each city to carry out a project that will further transition, reconciliation, and development in its own city and/or to help one of its sister cities where its expertise in a particular area can be of significant benefit. Commitments are designed so that cities on the higher rungs of transition assist those on the lower rungs. They are embodied in the principle that divided cities collectively can do together what they cannot do separately.

CALL TO ACTION

The Forum for Cities in Transition -- whose members comprise four cities (Derry-Londonderry, Kirkuk, Mitrovice/Kosovska Mitrovca, and Nicosia) -- meeting in Boston, April 14-16, 2009, affirmed its commitment to promoting understanding between member cities with the aim of encouraging mutual learning, dialogue, and the resolution of conflict through non-violent methods.

Even though we face different problems, challenges, and contexts, cities in transition can both learn from, and offer lessons to, each other. We believe that this learning should be shared, so that cities in transition can use resources and knowledge of others to address these challenges.

People from societies in transition are in the best position to help people in other societies in transition.

Basic Principles

The Forum identified basic principles upon which such positive outcomes can be achieved. We call on leaders to uphold and apply these principles in policymaking and service delivery, and to measure progress against them:

1. Respect for the dignity of every individual

2. Respect for the value of leadership in building trust and confidence across and within communities

3. Respect for human rights, equality, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law, including fair treatment of minorities

4. Respect for the value of dialogue between conflicting parties, according to context

Agreement

The participating cities affirmed:

1. That city-to-city workshops of this sort are effective, productive, and valuable

2. That learning from each other’s successes and challenges is immensely empowering

3. That some external actors can act as an obstacle and a barrier to promoting joint working and problem solving

4. That they create a Forum for Cities in Transition, with those present becoming founding members

5. That the Forum’s purpose shall be to address common problems through expanding the pool of knowledge from which to draw practical lessons

6. To develop and maintain an active network of individuals and cities present for mutual benefit

7. To deepen and broaden the network by taking ownership of the Forum’s future, the individual signing here agree to take steps to explore how each of the cities involved can plan to host future Forum annual events in their own territories, in conjunction with civil society and educational institutions

8. That the Secretariat for the Forum shall initially be provided by the Moakley Chair and the Northern Ireland Foundation

The following delegates of the FCT 2013 annual gathering signed the Call to Action pledge; a full list of signatories since 2009 is available at http://citiesintransition.net

FCTCaIItoActlOn

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Tripoli

KIrkuk　2012

MohamadChamseen