ICMC Celebrates International Day Of Peace With Rest Of The World

The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) is
joining the whole world in celebrating the International Day of
Peace.

This was made known by the President of ICMC, High Chief Emeka
JP Obegolu while addressing journalists on Friday, the 20th of
September, 2019. He said that each year the International Day of
Peace is observed around the world on September 21. The General
Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the
ideals of peace among all nations and peoples.

The theme of 2019 Day of Peace is “Climate Action for
Peace”.

The theme draws attention to the importance of combatting
climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the
world. President Obegolu linked Nigeria’s perennial Herder-Farmer
conflicts to climate change and enjoined all Nigerians to observe
the Day and take action immediately to address the problems
associated with climate change.

He said that natural disasters displace three times as many
people as conflicts, forcing millions to leave their homes and seek
safety elsewhere. The salinization of water and crops is
endangering food security, and the impact on public health is
escalating. The growing tensions over resources and mass movements
of people are affecting every country on every continent.

He further said that as a forerunner in the search for peace and
peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, the ICMC with membership of over
8,000 trained peacebuilders and practitioners from all walks who
contribute to the peace architecture of the United Nations, the
African Union, ECOWAS, and at the National, State and local
Government levels in Nigeria can do a lot in taking action to curb
the adverse effects of climate change.

High Chief Obegolu revealed these to journalists after a brief
meeting he had with the Planning Committee of ICMC @ 20. The
Committee briefed the President on the 20th Anniversary of ICMC
slated for 3rd December, 2019, at the International Conference
Centre, Abuja. Activities lined up to mark ICMC @ 20 include:

1. A Keynote Speech on the theme: ICMC @ 20: A Trajectory of
Mediation Practice and Grassroots Conflict Transformation in
Nigeria, to be presented by the Institute’s founding President, Dr.
Ozonnia Ojielo, who is the United Nations Resident Coordinator and
UNDP Permanent Representative in Kyrgyzstan.

2. Presentation of a Book: The History of ICMC in Nigeria.

3. Presentation of Awards to individuals and corporate
bodies.

4. Anniversary Dinner.

5. Induction of new Associate Members, Members and Fellows who
were trained this year.